How do I find a file in a folder?

[romatech]

I need to be able to search for a file (pattern) in a specific folder. This is really easy to do in Windows Explorer on a PC, but seems to be impossible on a Mac!

Here's some more details on what I want to do:

1. Launch Finder

2. Navigate to a specific folder (e.g. Music)

3. Enter a filename pattern (e.g. 'mysong')

4. Have all of the files in the selected folder that match the pattern (contain the text I entered) displayed in the results window

I must be missing something!

 

[chscag]

Try using the free "Find Any File app". Free download from here.

 

[romatech]

^ Thanks! Surely there must be a way to do this natively as it's a fairly basic requirement? In Windows if I start typing the first few characters I get the results in real time.

 

[RadDave]

^ Thanks! Surely there must be a way to do this natively as it's a fairly basic requirement? In Windows if I start typing the first few characters I get the results in real time.

Well, I'm no expert (a novice in fact - ) in using the terminal, but UNIX (which is the robust foundation of Mac OS X) has powerful commands that can do what is required and quickly - just one LINK, if interested in exploring that route. Dave

 

[cradom]

When you do a search, you have the option to do it for the whole drive or just the folder you're in. See screen shot:
Just click on the folder name at the top.

 

[MightyGem]

Press Cmd/Spacbar to open the Spotlight window, then type your filename in there.

 

[romatech]

When you do a search, you have the option to do it for the whole drive or just the folder you're in. See screen shot:
Just click on the folder name at the top.

This is exactly what I tried but it does not work for me. I get no results shown, even if I enter the exact filename to search for.

I'm using OS X 10.8.4. Maybe it's a bug?

What I think is happening is that it is searching the contents of the files for my search string. I don't want it to do that! I simply want to find the file.

 

[TattooedMac]

This is exactly what I tried but it does not work for me. I get no results shown, even if I enter the exact filename to search for.

I'm using OS X 10.8.4. Maybe it's a bug?

Not a bug, but your Spotlight might need re-indexing. To do that follow these rules, and be aware, that if your Home Folder is quite Large, this might take some time, but do let it do its job, as it does slow down the Mac while doing the job.

From the Apple () menu, choose System Preferences.
Click Spotlight.
Click the Privacy tab.
Drag a folder or an entire volume (your hard drive) to the list.
If prompted for confirmation, click OK.
Remove the item or volume you just added to the list by clicking it and then clicking the minus ("-") button.
Close Spotlight preferences.

Once you close Spotlight Preferences, this is when Spotlight will start its Re-Indexing, and to see this hit ⌘ + SpaceBar and you will see the working colour spinny thing going.

Remember THIS COULD take quite a while, but sometimes this needs to be done, to find simple files, because things have been screwed up.

 

[cradom]

On the other side of the window, do you get this? Just select filenames.

 

[romatech]

On the other side of the window, do you get this? Just select filenames.

Yes I do! So I think I can get this to work now by selecting 'Filenames'. It was a bit weird because the search always defaults to the entire mac when I enter the search string, even though I am in the folder that I want to search within. I then have to click the foldername tab at the again.

Thanks to everyone for their help!

 

[TattooedMac]

It was a bit weird because the search always defaults to the entire mac when I enter the search string, even though I am in the folder that I want to search within. I then have to click the foldername tab at the again.

This can be changed in Finder Preferences>Advanced and options to look in 'This Mac' 'Current Folder' or 'Previous Search'