Folder and File Numbers Out of Sequence

[schwine1]

I have several files and folders that are numbered as: 01 02 03 etc.
Many of the files and folders were numbered years ago.

Recently I noticed that all of the numbers are out of sequence for some reason.
One example from a top to bottom list is: 02 01 03 05 04 06 (instead of 01 02 03 04 05 06).

This out-of-sequence numbering applies to top down lists for both folders and files within folders.
The "Arrange by" options don't seem to make any difference to the current out of order numbers.

This is for a Mac Mini desktop computer (late 2014), OS X El Capitan version 10.11.6
I can't identify any specific actions on my part that caused this sudden change in number sequences.

This issue may or may not be related to the view options of the files.
For example, my preferred view option is the column view, and this option is where the numbered folders and files appear out of sequence.

By comparison, the numbered folders and files are in sequence when viewed in the list view.
So I'm not sure why the numbered folders and files are in sequence in the list view, but out of numbered sequence in the column view.

Re-starting the computer didn't help.
Thanks for any tips on solving this issue.

 

[IWT]

Hi and welcome, schwine1.

You are quite correct. The arrangement of Files and Folders is different in the List view versus the Column view.

However, a lot depends on how you have selected the "Arrange" icon in each case. These are the options:



Take no notice of how I've arranged mine - how have you arranged yours in each case?

Please post back. We are here to help and once we know your setup a little better, we can advice accordingly.

Ian

 

[schwine1]

Thanks for the note, Ian.
I have also selected "None" in the "Arrange By" options.

Before yesterday, this option worked in providing the expected sequence of numbering (eg. 01 02 03, etc).
I can't identify what happened in the last day or so to the computer to have caused this change (as far as I know, nothing on my part).

Just to be complete, I tried all of the Arrange By options, and all of them at this point produce out-of-sequence numbering in the Column View.
By comparison, the number sequencing is correct in the List View and with "None" selected in the Arrange By options.

If possible, I would like to regain proper numerical order in the Column View, presumably with "None" selected as the Arrange By option.
Thanks again for any further troubleshooting tips.

 

[ferrarr]

Have you tried Safe mode?

Use safe mode to isolate issues with your Mac - Apple Support

 

[schwine1]

ferrarr, number lists continue to be out of sequence in Safe Mode.

 

[ferrarr]

The only other thing I can think of, is to try a new User account, and copy some folders into that account, to test if it’s your User account that is working properly or not.

 

[schwine1]

The number lists appear correctly under a different user account.

I tried using the Migration Assistant to transfer all files from the old Admin account to the new Admin account.
That didn't seem to work as the Migration Assistant could not find either Admin account.

I selected the transfer option, "From a Mac" but it couldn't even find my existing Mac Mini as a computer.
Mind you, I gave up waiting for the Migration Assistant to find the two Mac Mini Admin accounts after five minutes or so.

My preference is to copy all files and apps from the old Admin account to the new Admin account.
But that approach might not work anyway, since the number sequencing "mistake," so to speak, may get copied over to the new Admin account.

My other option is to manually copy over files from the old Admin account to the new Admin account, as ferrarr suggested.
I just noticed that when manually copying numbered files from the old to new Admin account, the out of sequence numbering is copied as well.

I could also upgrade from El Capitan to the Mojave OS X.
The risk is that some apps I currently use may not work in Mojave OS X.

 

[IWT]

Quite clearly, schwine1, we have not solved the problem

If I may be permitted to offer some general advice:

1. Don't do anything too drastic. You've already seen that the "error" may transfer. I don't think upgrading to macOS Mojave is wise at the moment. It operates a different Filing System (APFS) and that may complicate rather than solve your issue. Also there is a general maxim that an upgrade is more likely to expose more errors than it solves. And some apps won't work, as you said.

2. If you could "learn" to live with List View, problem disappears.


One other thought I had - but don't do this yet until Bob or another senior guy agrees - you could down load the El Capitan Combo Update from here: Download OS X El Capitan 10.11.6 Combo Update

This would overwrite your present OS with a new version. It should not affect your data.

Ian

EDIT If you did go down this route, make sure you have a good backup in place.

 

[IWT]

@ferrarr - Bob, do you think the combo update is a sensible, or at least safe, way forward?

Ian

 

[ferrarr]

Yes, the “Combo update” sounds like a good next step.

 

[schwine1]

Thanks for the tip, Ian and Bob.

In looking at the combo update, I already have version 10.11.6 and I updated this OS X for as long as Apple was supporting it with updates.
It's been some time since Apple offered an update for version 10.11.6, but I have all of the updates offered by Apple to date.

I also note that the combo update is dated at July 18, 2016, and I've had a few updates with version 10.11.6 since then from Apple.
Given that, I assume that installing the combo update would not be a benefit in this case.

I've tried searching online to see if others have had this issue, but I've not found anything relevant.
It seems like an isolated and possibly unique problem, and it's probably a bug in the OS X that just presented itself for whatever reason at this time.

Here's another option. I could invest in an Apple Care telephone call and see if they could fix the issue with a shared screen visit.
In that case, I wonder if they would charge for the call if they are unable to fix the problem. I could ask them about that before the call proceeds.

Failing that, yes I could live with the List View even though it is not my preference.

 

[schwine1]

I just read the Terms and Conditions for Apple Care as partially copy and pasted below.
One of their offered "solutions" may be to upgrade to the Mojave OS X, which we have already noted may not be the best idea.
----------------------------

Apple Care Terms and Conditions:

2.1 Support Incidents. Service Plans are provided in single, multiple or unlimited Support Incident packages. A Support Incident is a specific, discrete problem whose origin can be isolated to a single cause. Apple will make reasonable efforts to resolve a Support Incident but does not guarantee that Support Incidents will be resolved. Apple, in its sole discretion, will determine what constitutes a Support Incident and to the extent permitted by law if the Support Incident is resolved. Generally, a Support Incident is resolved when Customer receives one of the following: (a) information that resolves the problem; (b) information on how to obtain a software solution that will resolve the problem; (c) notice that the problem is caused by a known, unresolved issue or an incompatibility issue with a Supported Product; (d) information that identifies the problem as being resolved by upgrading to a newer release of the Supported Product; or (e) notice that the problem has been identified as a hardware equipment issue. Under a Service Plan with a limited number of Support Incidents, each new Support Incident contact made by Customer will decrease the remaining number of eligible Support Incidents.

 

[pm-r]

Yes, the “Combo update” sounds like a good next step.

+!!! The OS X "COMBO" updates have often been a recommended method to use if and when some OS X thing is missing or malfunctioning.

In this case:

Download OS X El Capitan 10.11.6 Combo Update
Post Date: Jul 18, 2016
File Size: 1.5 GB

Download OS X El Capitan 10.11.6 Combo Update



- Patrick
======

 

[MacInWin]

Just out of curiosity, have you clicked on the column header in the List view for Name? If you do that, it should sort them by that attribute. It could be that you have accidentally clicked on some other header that results in the order you are seeing. In the header which is governing the order, you will have a caret that points either up or down to show the order. Here is what I see in my Finder sorted by name, ascending.

 

[pm-r]

Just out of curiosity, have you clicked on the column header in the List view for Name? If you do that, it should sort them by that attribute.

Just curious here Jake, but did Apple add such a feature to some later macOS version???

It sure doesn't exist in Mavericks 10.9.5, at least not when in Column View.



- Patrick
======

 

[schwine1]

Jake, here is a screenshot of my list view vs. column view. In my case, the caret is pointing upwards (not visible in the screenshot).
It doesn't matter what option is selected, the number sequencing is the same (correct in list view, incorrect in column view).

 

[krs]

I have several files and folders that are numbered as: 01 02 03 etc.
Many of the files and folders were numbered years ago.

Recently I noticed that all of the numbers are out of sequence for some reason.
One example from a top to bottom list is: 02 01 03 05 04 06 (instead of 01 02 03 04 05 06).

This out-of-sequence numbering applies to top down lists for both folders and files within folders.
The "Arrange by" options don't seem to make any difference to the current out of order numbers.

This is for a Mac Mini desktop computer (late 2014), OS X El Capitan version 10.11.6
I can't identify any specific actions on my part that caused this sudden change in number sequences.

This issue may or may not be related to the view options of the files.
For example, my preferred view option is the column view, and this option is where the numbered folders and files appear out of sequence.

By comparison, the numbered folders and files are in sequence when viewed in the list view.
So I'm not sure why the numbered folders and files are in sequence in the list view, but out of numbered sequence in the column view.

Seems to me this is nothing unique to you.
I'm on macOS 10.11.6 as well with a bit older Mini - I usually sort my files & folders using list view and then sort by Date Modified with the current date at the top, but when I sort by "Name" in list view (with Arrange by None), the files and folders are not in numerical order for file or folder names starting with a number.

Strangely enough, when I switch to column view, the files and folders are in the right sequence, but the first column shows almost only folders with only a few files, where as in list view it shows tons of files.
And if I check the bottom of the folder window, the number of items in list view is not the same as the number of items in column view.
That doesn't make any sense to me - should the total number of items for column and list view of the same folder (with a few thousand items in it) not be the same?

Attached are the first 12 items in list view sorted by Name - no clue how those particular file names ended up at the top.
This is sorting by name basically from A to Z with numbers and symbols ahead of that.

Bottom line - I don't think the sorting actually works that well.

 

[pm-r]

Bottom line - I don't think the sorting actually works that well.

Maybe this will help:
Mac 101: Finder filename sorting
Mac 101: Finder filename sorting

This list appears in the order that Mac OS X sorts filenames. ...

- Patrick
======

 

[IWT]

Patrick,

The "Name" option is present in List & Column view and has been since - I'm guessing - at least El Capitan; which is the OS the OP is running.

Have a look at my post #2. That's what it looks like in List/Column views.

Ian

Edit: Sorry. I didn't realise that there was a second page when I posted this. So I posted my reply to Patrick without reading the subsequent posts.

 

[MacInWin]

Patrick, it's been there for years and years. As long as you have the default to None, it works. I seem to remember it even in SL, but it's been a very long time since I've been using it. And it's only for List view.