How to Create a Folder on a Mac

What to Know

• Create a new folder by right clicking on any empty space on your desktop or Finder and clicking New Folder.
• Alternatively, open Finder, and then click File > New Folder.
• The keyboard shortcut is Command + Shift + N.

This article teaches you how to create folders on a Mac. It looks at three different methods for how to make a new folder on a Mac. It also looks at why it’s useful to do so.

How to Create a New Folder on a Mac Desktop

It’s simple enough to learn how to make folders on Mac but only if you know where to begin. Here’s the quickest way to create a folder on your Mac.

1. Right-click any empty space on your desktop.

   If you don't have a right mouse button, either click with two fingers on a trackpad, or click while holding Control.

2. Select New Folder.

   

3. Press Enter on your keyboard while the new folder is selected to rename it.

   

   You can now drag it to a different folder or location on your Mac if you wish.

How to Create a Folder on a Mac in the Finder

You can also add a folder in a specific window of the Finder. This method is useful if you know exactly where you want the new folder to live and don't want to move it from the desktop.

1. Open Finder from your Dock and navigate to the location you wish to add a folder.
   

   Another way to open the Finder is to hold Command and press Tab until you select it from the apps you currently have open.

2. Click File > New Folder.

   Alternatively, press Command + Shift + N on your keyboard.

   

3. Your new folder will appear in that location; rename it by typing a new name as soon as it appears.

   You can also create a new folder in a Finder window by right-clicking an empty spot and selecting New Folder from the menu.

How to Use Folders Effectively on Your Mac

If you’re wondering what else you can do with folders, here’s a quick overview of what you should consider. 

• Move files across. To store files in your new folder, click and drag them to the folder. If the file won’t move, it may be read-only.
• Duplicate your files. To create a duplicate of a file before moving it over, select the item, and then click File > Duplicate (or press Command + D) to make a copy of an item within the same folder. You can also hold Option as you click and drag a file to the folder; a green plus icon will appear next to the icon to show that you're adding a duplicate.
• Don’t forget to archive. If a folder is getting unwieldy in size, you can archive and compress it. Right-click your new folder and click Compress to reduce the size.
• Customize for more organization. Your folders don't all have to look the same; you can also change their color or the icon to make things easier to spot at a glance.
• Use password-protection to keep important folders secure. This option is more complicated, but it's worth it to keep files safe. You can secure a Mac folder behind a password to ensure you're the only one who can access its contents.