OS X Tip #29
Spring-Loaded Folders was a Macintosh classic feature originally introduced with OS 8. It died with OS 9. But happily, it was revived in OS 10.2. It occurred to me that some users, especially switchers, may have never used Spring-Loaded Folders before.

What are they and how do we use them?
Spring-Loaded Folders allows you to move down into a hierarchical folders fast and easy. Spring-Loaded folders are especially useful if you wish to move a file, application, or even another folder into a folder that is deeply nested within several other folders. It is a wonderful way to move files and folders around without all that constantly double-clicking folders and dragging.

How to use Spring-Loaded Folders
1) Click on and drag the file or folder over another folder icon (or hard drive’s icon).
2) Hold down the mouse button (do not release the mouse button) until the folder icon will flashes and then opens.
3) When the folder opens, release the mouse button. The file or folder will be instantly moved into that folder.
4) If you want to move the file or folder down to another sub-folder. Just drag the mouse over the next folder while holding the mouse button down and then release. You can go down as many levels as you like.

Utilize spring loaded folders in column view
By hovering a file over a folder in column view and hitting space bar (or waiting the amount of time determined in your Finder Preferences), the contents of the folder now spring open in the same column view window instead of opening a new window.

Open Finder Preferences
Go to Finder -> Preferences. You’ll find a slider that sets the delay before Spring-Loaded Folders pop open. Or you can press the Space bar to open a Spring-Loaded Folder immediately if you do not want to wait.

    | Tags: mac tips