Key Takeaways

  • Hold Shift to select multiple adjacent files in Finder easily. Use the Shift key and click on the first and last file in sequence to select everything in between.
  • Hold Command to select non-adjacent files. Click on the first desired file, then hold the Command key and click on other files to select them.
  • Click and drag the cursor to quickly select multiple files. Press your trackpad down while dragging the cursor to create a selection box and release to select enclosed files.

macOS makes it very easy to select multiple files at once, allowing you to copy, move, or delete several items quickly. We'll teach you multiple selection methods that work on files, apps, and just about anything on your Mac.

Hold Shift to Select Multiple Adjacent Files

If the files you want to select are in a sequence, selecting them is easy. Head to your desired location in Finder and select the List, Columns, or Gallery view from the View icon. This method will work for these three views but not the Icon view.

Select Folder View in macOS

Now, select the first file in the sequence. On your keyboard, hold down the Shift key and click on the last file in the sequence that you want to select.

Select Multiple Files in Sequence

This should select all the files in between. You can now move, delete, or copy and paste your Mac files in another location.

Hold Command to Select Multiple Non-Adjacent Files

To select non-adjacent files on your Mac, open up a folder in Finder. Click on the first file you want to select. Now, hold the Command key on your keyboard and click all the other files you want to select.

Select Multiple Files macOS

Keeping the Command key pressed will allow you to add multiple files to your selection. You can click on a selected file again while holding this key to deselect any files you accidentally added to the selection.

Click and Drag to Select Multiple Files

clicking and dragging for file selection on mac-anim

Another easy way to select multiple files on your Mac is by clicking and dragging your cursor over them. To do this, simply click your trackpad and hold down while dragging the cursor to make a selection box that contains all the files that you want to select.

Release to select the enclosed files. If you accidentally select or miss some files, you can hold down the Command key and click on those files to add or remove them to your selection.

Select All Files in a Folder

All files selected in Mac

You can press Command + A on your keyboard to select all files and apps in a given location. However, if you want to remove a few files from your selection, you can hold down the Command key and click on each file individually to deselect them.

Select Multiple Files With Ease on Your Mac

As you can see, there are four ways to select files on macOS. You can select adjacent files at once, individually select non-adjacent files, use a keyboard shortcut to select all files in a window, or click and drag over a selection of files. The method you choose may vary depending on what you need to select.