OS X Mavericks: Create or modify a Smart Folder

Smart Folders use search to automatically gather files by type and subject matter. Smart Folders are updated as you change, add, and remove files on your Mac.

1. In the Finder, choose File > New Smart Folder, or press Option-Command (⌘)-N.
2. To search for files on a particular topic, type the topic in the search box.
3. Choose the location where you want to search for files.

   Option	Description
   This Mac:	Searches the entire computer.
   All My Files:	Searches the All My Files folder.
   Shared:	Searches shared folders on disks and computers on your local network. This option doesn’t appear if your Mac is not connected to any shared folders.

4. You can choose whether the search should include only the names of files, or their entire contents. As you type in the search field, a menu appears. Choose the “Name matches:” option, then choose either Name or Everything.
5. To search for additional specific attributes, click Add (+) below the search field. Search attribute pop-up menus appear.

   The menus work in pairs; for example, to search for images, you would choose Kind from the pop-up menu on the left, then choose Images from the pop-up menu next to it.

6. Click Save, then specify a name and location for your Smart Folder. If you don’t want your Smart Folder to be in the sidebar, deselect Add To Sidebar.

   You can’t use certain characters, including punctuation such as a colon (:), in folder names. If an error message appears, try using another name.

1. Open the Smart Folder.
2. Either begin typing in the Smart Folder’s search field, or open the Action pop-up menu (looks like a gear) and choose Show Search Criteria.