Navigating where to save changes file name

acme · 11-17-2012, 05:47 PM

Lion 10.8.2

when saving a photoshop file just now, I accidentally clicked on a file name while navigating to my desired destination folder.

the name of my file changed TO that file I clicked on!

This strikes me as wrong behavior; the file name should stay what I typed it as until/unless I myself change it, not while navigating where to deposit the file.

Anyone know about this issue?

thank you!

a

NaOH · 11-17-2012, 05:59 PM

I believe this capability was implemented in 10.6. I'll infer/guess at the logic in place. Obviously, there are times when we might use an existing file name again, whether because we want to replace a file of the same name or because we want a file of a same name in another location.

When saving a file, existing files are shown in the Save dialog grayed out. Clicking one is taken as an explicit action indicating a desire to use that file name. Another way to invoke that is to pull up a Save dialog, then drag a file from the Finder to that dialog. That's also seen as an explicit intention to re-use a file name. In contrast, if you navigate a Save dialog using the keyboard (whether with arrow keys or typing a letter to select a folder), then you can't inadvertently select an existing file name.

acme · 11-17-2012, 06:02 PM

5 minutes ago, if somebody said there was an upside to this, I'd have said no way...

but...I can see how this can be a real benefit.

prbly take me some getting used to. I guess embracing it is the only option at this point!

thank you!

a

NaOH · 11-17-2012, 06:06 PM

No doubt, it's frustrating when you accidentally invoke this.

(You'll note, both in this comment and my earlier one, I've worded things in ways which avoid calling this a feature.)

cpragman · 11-17-2012, 08:59 PM

If you press escape, you can cancel the save and rename, right?

benwiggy · 11-18-2012, 03:17 AM

This has been a feature since forever. I often use it, when saving successive files that are sequentially numbered, e.g. 12Sept_pages25-36.indd. Simply click on one of the existing files, and then adjust the numbers at the end of the filename.

If you accidentally click on a filename after you've typed the name you wanted, then that's a bit annoying, but you can always press <tab> a few times to get the filename (minus extension) highlighted for retyping. It's easiest if you don't type the filename till you're at the right location.

acme · 11-18-2012, 12:41 PM

OK..I'll tuck that away in memory for next time...

is this somewhat like what Default Folder did/does? Used to use that all the time in OS 8/9....seems you could be saving something then click in the finder and the dialog box would "know" to go there...

at any rate, thank you for sharing your tips on how you make this feature work for you.

a

11-17-2012, 05:47 PM	#1
acme MVP Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,695	Navigating where to save changes file name Lion 10.8.2 when saving a photoshop file just now, I accidentally clicked on a file name while navigating to my desired destination folder. the name of my file changed TO that file I clicked on! This strikes me as wrong behavior; the file name should stay what I typed it as until/unless I myself change it, not while navigating where to deposit the file. Anyone know about this issue? thank you! a

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11-17-2012, 05:59 PM	#2
NaOH Hall of Famer Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 3,649	I believe this capability was implemented in 10.6. I'll infer/guess at the logic in place. Obviously, there are times when we might use an existing file name again, whether because we want to replace a file of the same name or because we want a file of a same name in another location. When saving a file, existing files are shown in the Save dialog grayed out. Clicking one is taken as an explicit action indicating a desire to use that file name. Another way to invoke that is to pull up a Save dialog, then drag a file from the Finder to that dialog. That's also seen as an explicit intention to re-use a file name. In contrast, if you navigate a Save dialog using the keyboard (whether with arrow keys or typing a letter to select a folder), then you can't inadvertently select an existing file name.

11-17-2012, 06:02 PM	#3
acme MVP Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,695	5 minutes ago, if somebody said there was an upside to this, I'd have said no way... but...I can see how this can be a real benefit. prbly take me some getting used to. I guess embracing it is the only option at this point! thank you! a

11-17-2012, 06:06 PM	#4
NaOH Hall of Famer Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 3,649	No doubt, it's frustrating when you accidentally invoke this. (You'll note, both in this comment and my earlier one, I've worded things in ways which avoid calling this a feature.)

11-17-2012, 08:59 PM	#5
cpragman All Star Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Limerick, PA Posts: 693	If you press escape, you can cancel the save and rename, right?

11-18-2012, 03:17 AM	#6
benwiggy League Commissioner Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 5,071	This has been a feature since forever. I often use it, when saving successive files that are sequentially numbered, e.g. 12Sept_pages25-36.indd. Simply click on one of the existing files, and then adjust the numbers at the end of the filename. If you accidentally click on a filename after you've typed the name you wanted, then that's a bit annoying, but you can always press <tab> a few times to get the filename (minus extension) highlighted for retyping. It's easiest if you don't type the filename till you're at the right location.

11-18-2012, 12:41 PM	#7
acme MVP Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,695	OK..I'll tuck that away in memory for next time... is this somewhat like what Default Folder did/does? Used to use that all the time in OS 8/9....seems you could be saving something then click in the finder and the dialog box would "know" to go there... at any rate, thank you for sharing your tips on how you make this feature work for you. a