Displaying film-related metadata columns in non-"Movies" folders in the Finder

Sep 17, '13 05:40:00AM

Contributed by: nigelgoodman

You are probably already aware that extra columns of meta data can be added to the Movies folder in the Finder by right-clicking (ctrl-click) on the folder's header row. The following extra columns can be added: Duration; Dimensions; Title; Codecs. These extra columns do not feature in the View>Show View Options menu selection.

This hint describes how to obtain the same columns in folders not named "Movies".

This is a little pedantic, but in the UK we do not tend to use the term "movie" so much. We don't "Go to the movies" we "Go to watch a film". In fact the UK version of iTunes recognises this and in the sidebar or pop-up menu we have "Films" instead of "Movies" (and "TV Programmes" rather than "TV Shows" as well).

The Finder does not do this and the "Movies" folder is there in your home folder as expected.

In the "Movies" folder and any folder created inside it the above extra meta data columns can be added, and this applies to any other "Movies" folder created anywhere else - on another drive for example. But if you have another folder elsewhere that is labeled "Films", for example, the extra columns cannot be added.

However it is easy to add these columns - simply (re)name the folder "Movies". Open it and add the columns that you want. Then return and rename the folder back to "Films" or whatever. The extra columns remain and are still there after a log-out or restart.

And as long as at least one of these extra columns remain others can continue to be added or removed at will.

Now all my films on my external 3TB Raid drive show the extra meta data for convenient reference or sorting.

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Mac OS X Hints
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