In Mac OS X, Apple has devised a new type of folder that allows you to save your searches for future use. This new feature is called a Smart Folder and helps you to organize your files. A Smart Folder is updated continuously with the criteria you specify. For instance, you could create a Smart Folder to display all of the Apple Pages documents on your computer, another to display all of your Spreadsheets or a Smart Folder that lists all of the files that you have modified in the past two weeks.

Smart Folders are distinguished from the other folders on your system by the gear icon as shown below so they are easy to identify.

To create a new Smart Folder, select File > New Smart Folder from the Finder menu or use the keystroke combination Command + Option + N. This will bring up a Spotlight window from where you can enter in your search criteria. Once you specify your criteria and execute your search, click the Save button. If you do not wish your Smart Folder to be added to the Sidebar, uncheck the Add to Sidebar check box.

Any searches that you create can be saved as Smart Folders by clicking the Save button on the Spotlight window and then navigating to the folder where you want to save your Smart Folder (your search).

To Create a Smart Folder

1. Select File > Find from the Finder menu
   Or
   Use the keystroke combination Command + F
   Or
   Select File > New Smart Folder
   Or
   Use the keystroke combination Command + Option + N
2. Choose your search criteria as shown in the image above.
3. Click the Save button and choose the name and your location for your Smart Folder.
4. If you do not want your Smart Folder to be located in the Sidebar, uncheck the Add to Sidebar checkbox.
5. Click Save.
6. Double-click your Smart Folder (or single click it, if it is in the Sidebar) to view the folder’s contents.
7. To change your search criteria, open the Smart Folder, click the Action button on the Finder Toolbar and then click Show Search Criteria. Specify your new criteria.

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