![download file on mac dock into list download file on mac dock into list](https://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/img_5c9dafca4a669.png)
For the Downloads folder next to it that’s just “Folder”. For my Applications folder, as you can see, it’s “Stack”. The second section, Display as, affects how folder icons are shown within the Dock. For photos, date created might be better, but for apps, I like having it by name to make finding specific apps quick and easy. Topmost is what order you want the information sorted, defaulting to name. You’ll get a menu with a variety of different options: Instead, Control-click on the folder icon (or stack) on the Dock. It’s fun and a bit whimsical, but if you have more than a dozen or so items, it’s pretty inefficient! Handy!īy default, your Mac wants to display the contents of a folder on the Dock in “fan” mode. Adjacent to it is another folder with a more traditional folder icon that’s my Downloads folder. The one with the “keyhole” icon is my Applications folder and the Dock is showing what it calls a “stack” of icons representing the contents. There are actually two folders being displayed in the above image. Once you’re done, you’ll have a Dock that includes favorite applications and one or more folders. Then drag the folder icon from the Finder directly onto the Dock and everything should magically move out of the way so it can be added. You could use this for Downloads, Pictures, Movies, or, in this case, Applications. To start, use the Finder to identify the enclosing folder of the contents you’d like to have easily accessible from the Dock. I’ve written before about basic Dock configuration for your Mac, but this time, let’s dig into the way that it displays the contents of folders you drag onto the Dock. But there’s a bit of customization required to get the Dock to meet your needs. In fact, between that and Spotlight (which I do hope you use extensive), you need never open up your Applications folder to find a program on your Mac system again.
![download file on mac dock into list download file on mac dock into list](https://www.howtogeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/mac_dock_hero_1.jpg)
It seems really simple, that D0ck sitting on the bottom of the screen on your Mac system, but it’s pretty smart.