• There are four easy ways to select more than one file on your Mac.
  • There are different shortcuts for selecting multiple files on your Mac’s desktop, for instance, or every file in a single folder.
  • Selecting multiple files on your Mac allows you to efficiently move items from one location to another or delete unneeded files.
  • Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.

Selecting multiple files on a Mac is a basic function that you’ll master quickly. So whether you’re new to Macs or even relatively new to computers in general, don’t worry: you’re in the right place.

It’s easy to figure out how to select a single file – just click it – but figuring out how to select more than one can be confusing. Luckily, there are some very simple keyboard shortcuts that can help you out.

All of these techniques work on the Mac’s desktop, as well as within any folder you open in Finder.

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How to select more than one file on a Mac

To select every file in a given location, you can left-click on empty space (not on a file, e.g.) and drag the mouse to create a box encompassing every item, then release the mouse.

But a much simpler approach is to hit Command + A, whether on your desktop or in a folder window.

To select a specific number of files, you can hold the Command key, and then click on each file you wish selected, no matter how they are ordered in a particular folder.

Screen Shot 2019 11 20 at 1.16.50 PM

Foto: You can select specific files in a folder or on your desktop by holding Command while you click.sourceSteven John/Business Insider

To choose a group of files that are stacked one atop the other in a list, click the first file, then hold Shift and click the last. All files between and including them will be selected.

Once you've selected your files, you can drag them with your mouse, tap Command + Delete to delete the files, or right-click them for more options.

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