

Select a folder-for example, a standard folder in the Finder sidebar such as Recents or Desktop, or a folder that you created. On your Mac, click the Finder icon in the Dock to open a Finder window. Get started with accessibility features.Use Sign in with Apple for apps and websites.Watch and listen together with SharePlay.Share and collaborate on files and folders.Sync music, books, and more between devices.Make and receive phone calls on your Mac.Use one keyboard and mouse to control Mac and iPad.Use Live Text to interact with text in a photo.Make it easier to see what’s on the screen.Install and reinstall apps from the App Store.This trick will apply to folders viewed in Icon view as well, so if you have the Desktop icons hidden, opening it in a Finder folder (or any other folder for that matter) can be adjusted the same way. There is a limit, and with extremely long file names there isn’t a way to have the full name displayed on the desktop, although you could show them with a wide enough Finder window and the “Name” sorting expanded all the way. Because the changes are taking effect live, you can test the settings and see what works best for your needs, although you’ll quickly notice that the grid spacing also directly impacts how cluttered the icons feel.

For larger text sizes, simply move the grid to a larger spacing to reveal the full file names. In prior versions of Mac OS X the setting is basically the same, you may want to change the display size of icons as well:Īssuming the text size is 12-14, moving the grid spacing to about 3/4 is enough to display most full name of most files and folders, but for some extremely long file names you’d have to move it even further over. Here’s how this looks in modern versions of OS X, be sure you’re on the View Options for the Desktop of the Mac to find the appropriate grid spacing adjustment:Īs you can see, increasing the grid spacing of icons will stop file name truncating on the Mac. Under “Grid spacing:” click and drag the slider to the right to increase the width of the desktop grid, slide right until the full file name is displayed – changes take effect live.Click on the “View” menu and choose “Show View Options” or just hit Command+J.Close out all Finder windows and be on the Mac desktop.This works the same in all versions of Mac OS X: How to Display Full File Names on the Mac OS X Desktop The reason for the shortened file and folder names is actually due to the current icon grid alignment settings, and in order to show the full file or folder name, all we need to do is adjust the size of the icons grid spacing.
