Toolbar Dragpoints

Apr 12, '11 07:30:00AM

Contributed by: Anonymous

I know that the elements of this hint are already known to this site but I think it could use some further elaboration.

I call these 'toolbar dragpoints.' They are usually folders or applications placed in the toolbar so that anything dragged onto them will be acted upon as expected. It is especially useful for temporarily placing a folder to which files from many places can be dragged and therefore moved or copied (when dragged with Option key pressed). I also like to open many files with TextEdit and so I keep a TextEdit dragpoint (icon) on the toolbar. It beats using 'Open With' from the contextual menu or chasing TextEdit around in the dock.

These can also function as 'clickpoints' to open a file or start an application.

Just drag a folder or application to the toolbar and it will sit there as a dragpoint/clickpoint in every Finder window. To remove a dragpoint just drag it off the toolbar holding down the Command key (press the key and then drag) and then releasing (just as items are removed from the dock).

Here's an example scenario: You need to collect a bunch of files from all over into a folder. So, just make a folder, drag it to the toolbar, navigate to and drag all needed files (use Option+drag for copying) to the toolbar folder. When done, remove the toolbar folder if you wish.

A toolbar folder could be used like an inbox on your desk where you keep all your to-do items.

Note: I keep all my folders and programs in piles (stacks) on the right side of the dock. This puts all active applications at the left end of the dock and keeps the dock clean. Thus, the toolbar enhancement is a clean/quick/convenient way to perform frequent actions.

[crarko adds: The basic ideas here are well-known, but I think there are some good suggestions here about making greater use of the feature.]

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