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How to use tags to organize files in macOS High Sierra

You can tag files and folders in macOS High Sierra to make them easier to find. Tags work with all your files and folders, whether you store them on your Mac or keep them in iCloud.

You can add multiple tags to any file. To tag an open file, hold the pointer to the right of the document title, click the arrow, click in the Tags field, then enter a new tag, or choose one from the list.

To tag a new file when you save it, click File > Save. In the Save dialog, click in the Tags field, then enter a new tag, or choose one from the list. 

To tag a file on the desktop or in the Finder, select the item, then open the File menu. You can also control-click the item, or tap it with two fingers. Choose a color  below Tags, or click Tags to choose from more tags or enter a new tag.

In a Finder window, you can also select the item, click the Tags button , then enter a new tag, or choose one from the list.

To remove tags from an item, control-click the item or tap it with two fingers, then click Tags. Select the tags you want to remove, then press Delete.

To remove tags from your Mac, in the Finder, choose Finder > Preferences, then click Tags. Select the tags you want to remove, then click the Remove button.

You can also edit tags. In the Finder, choose Finder > Preferences, then click Tags. Do any of the following:

  • See a tag in the Finder sidebar: Select the blue checkbox to the right of the tag.
  • Change a tag color: Click the color next to the tag , then choose a new color.
  • Change a tag name: Click the tag, click the tag’s name, then enter a new name.
  • Create a new tag: Click the Add button .
  • Delete a tag: Select the tag, then click the Remove button.
  • Add a tag to the shortcut menu: Select the tag in the list, then drag it over the tag you want to replace in the favorites section at the bottom of the window. There can be up to seven tags in the shortcut menu that appears when you Control-click a file.
  • Remove a tag from the shortcut menu: Drag the tag out of the Favorite Tags section until you see the remove sign.

(This how-to is based on my experiences and info on Apple’s support pages — where the images sometimes come from.)

Dennis Sellers
the authorDennis Sellers
Dennis Sellers is the editor/publisher of Apple World Today. He’s been an “Apple journalist” since 1995 (starting with the first big Apple news site, MacCentral). He loves to read, run, play sports, and watch movies.