Setting Default OS search filter to "Kind"

[rohan]

Hi,

I have an odd issue & I can't figure out if this is a setting somewhere of a glitch.

My older 2013 MBP default to a filter by Kind when I hit the + icon in the Finder

However the new 2018 MBP which is running the same OS defaults to filter by Name no matter what I've tried.

Does anyone have any idea how I can make the new Mac default to filter searches by Kind? I know its not a huge issue but I've just become so used to the workflow over so many years.

 

[ferrarr]

If you go to View, in the top Menu bar, is Kind selected, or is Name selected?

 

[MacInWin]

I've tried to follow this thread, but I'm lost. What "+" are we talking about? The one in the Search display when something is in the Search window? That's the only "+" I see. And I think Bob meant to say go to View, then Sort by to get to the Kind option. But maybe there is someplace else?

 

[ferrarr]

I've tried to follow this thread, but I'm lost. What "+" are we talking about? The one in the Search display when something is in the Search window? That's the only "+" I see. And I think Bob meant to say go to View, then Sort by to get to the Kind option. But maybe there is someplace else?

Oops, I saw myself typing that in my head I guess. lol. Thanks Jake.

Yes, View > Sort By, in the top Menu bar.

 

[Slydude]

Is it possible that you were using a saved search that relied on the smart searchh feature. See here for an example.
More info here.

 

[pm-r]

I've tried to follow this thread, but I'm lost. What "+" are we talking about?

You can add my name to the list here as well Jake, and maybe the OP would like to post back and add some clarification and details.





- Patrick
======

 

[chscag]

You can add my name to the list here as well Jake, and maybe the OP would like to post back and add some clarification and details. - Patrick

=====

Patrick: Wouldn't it be better for the OP to use "Find Any File" rather than deal with Finder searches?

(Hah, beat you to it!) ;D

 

[pm-r]

Patrick: Wouldn't it be better for the OP to use "Find Any File" rather than deal with Finder searches?

(Hah, beat you to it!) ;D

LOL!!!

Actually the thought did cross my mind Charlie but I thought the suggestion would just confuse the issue.





- Patrick
======

 

[MacInWin]

But we don't want folks to get too close to FAF. It's a 32 bit app and won't work with the next iteration of the OS, unless it gets updated.

 

[chscag]

But we don't want folks to get too close to FAF. It's a 32 bit app and won't work with the next iteration of the OS, unless it gets updated.

If the developer lets it remain as a 32 bit app, then the next best app to use would be "EasyFind" from Devon Technologies. It's a 64 bit app and is free.

 

[MacInWin]

+1 for EasyFInd. That is actually my preferred searcher.

 

[pm-r]

But we don't want folks to get too close to FAF. It's a 32 bit app and won't work with the next iteration of the OS, unless it gets updated.

No problem there and a 64-bit version will be ready in the near future as the developer has posted at his site some some time now:
Thomas Tempelmann - Find Any File

Concerned about Apple's upcoming 64 bit requirement?
Worry not. While macOS will soon remind you that FAF will need to be updated for 64 bit, the current FAF version will still work in macOS 10.13 and 10.14.

I have started a complete rewrite of FAF that will not only address the 64 bit requirement but also make other features more easy to add in the future, such as: Optional single-window interface, immediate listing of results, scripting.

If you like to start trying the new version 2 as soon as it's available, check the options Automatically check for updates and Include Beta & Preview versions in FAF's Preferences window.

And as Charlie and Jake says, "EasyFind" from Devon Technologies should be in ones arsenal as well.





- Patrick
======

 

[rohan]

You can add my name to the list here as well Jake, and maybe the OP would like to post back and add some clarification and details.




- Patrick
======

Hey guys, thanks for all the replies. I'm sorry I wasn't clear enough about what I meant.

I have taken a screenshot to help with this. If you refer to the screenshot you'll see I'm referring to the plus sign on the left used to drop down additional filters.

so the odd thing is on my older Mac when I click on this + icon I get filter by 'kind' by default

however on the new Mac when I click on this icon I get filter by 'name' as default.

I do use easy find for deeper searches, but I find this to be quick and easy for some basic searches of a single folder. I just got used to the workflow where it would be ready for me to pick the kind of file. Now I wind up clicking the wrong thing & have to then manually select 'kind' from the drop down menu & then pick what I actually need.

 

[Slydude]

I don't remember exactly how to duplicate what you were seeing but the Smart Folder feature should do the trick. You can set the search parameters to "kind' and add any other parameters you like and save the result anywhere you like. The next time you click on it the window would already be set to kind and all you have to do is fill in the search box. See here.

 

[rohan]

I don't remember exactly how to duplicate what you were seeing but the Smart Folder feature should do the trick. You can set the search parameters to "kind' and add any other parameters you like and save the result anywhere you like. The next time you click on it the window would already be set to kind and all you have to do is fill in the search box. See here.

yup...I do already used the saved search feature for certain scenarios.

the way I'm talking about is sort of for 'on the fly' searches in a specific folder but yes..I could just keep the most commonly used parameters saved permanently

 

[ferrarr]

In Finder, what do you have selected for View > Sort By? Check both Macs and confirm they're set the same?

 

[MacInWin]

What Bob suggested should work for you. I just tested it and it is persistent from search to search, which is what you want.

 

[pm-r]

I have taken a screenshot to help with this. If you refer to the screenshot you'll see I'm referring to the plus sign on the left used to drop down additional filters.

Hmmm... this may seem odd, but I don't even remember seeing that that option even existed, let alone ever using it. So obviously I never noticed what it did.

Anyway, Apple posts their idea of how they expect it to be used and have some suggestions here:
macOS Sierra: Narrow your searches in Spotlight and Finder
https://support.apple.com/kb/PH25589?locale=en_CA





- Patrick
======

 

[rohan]

What Bob suggested should work for you. I just tested it and it is persistent from search to search, which is what you want.

Hi,

I have just double checked and my view>sort by option is by 'name' on both Macs.

I had already checked the behavior earlier when he mentioned that...it does remember the folder sorting option.

However, this has no effect on the filtering of spotlight options.

I somewhat figured out how to quick fix it for my scenario but this isn't an actual solution.

The thing is, that on my older Mac the first option in the filter search drop down menu is 'kind'..& 'name' appears much later towards the bottom.

On the new Mac the first option was 'name' & the second was 'contents'.. I went & removed both those since I don't use them. Now the default filter is kind on the new Mac ..but like I said this is more of a workaround for my usage.

Why the menu order is different on the two Macs I have no idea. There seems to be no way to reorder them so I don't know how this has happened

Thanks for all the suggestions guys xD