The fastest way to make a new folder

To create a new folder on your Mac, press Command + Shift + N. A new folder appears on your desktop or in the Finder window you have open, with the name field ready for you to type. Type the name you want, then press Enter. That is the quickest method and works almost everywhere on your Mac.

If the keyboard shortcut does not work, you can also right-click (or Control-click) in the empty space of your desktop or Finder window, select New Folder from the menu that appears, and type your name the same way.

A third option is to open Finder, click File in the menu bar at the top, and select New Folder. Again, type the name and press Enter.

Key Takeaways

  • Command + Shift + N creates a new folder instantly in Finder or on your desktop, with the name field ready to type.
  • Right-clicking in empty space and selecting New Folder from the menu works if you prefer not to use the keyboard shortcut.
  • You can rename a folder after creating it by clicking its name once, waiting a moment, and typing the new name.
  • New folders appear in the location you have open — your desktop, a specific folder, or wherever your Finder window is showing.

Where the new folder appears

The location of your new folder depends on where you are when you create it. If you use the keyboard shortcut while your desktop is visible, the folder appears on your desktop. If you have a Finder window open and use the shortcut, the folder appears inside that window, in whatever folder you are viewing.

This matters because you might want to create a folder inside an existing folder rather than at the top level. Navigate to the location where you want the new folder first, then use Command + Shift + N. The folder will appear exactly where you need it.

Renaming your folder after creation

When you create a new folder, the name field is highlighted and ready for typing. But if you skip that step or want to change the name later, click the folder name once, wait about a second, then click again. The name becomes editable. Type the new name and press Enter.

Alternatively, right-click the folder, select Rename from the menu, type the new name, and press Enter. Both methods work the same way.

Creating nested folders quickly

If you need to create a folder inside a folder you just made, you do not have to wait. Create the first folder with Command + Shift + N, type its name, press Enter, then immediately press Command + Shift + N again. The second folder appears inside the first one, ready for naming.

This works because pressing Enter confirms the first folder's name and keeps focus in that location. The next keyboard shortcut creates the next folder in the same spot.

Organizing folders by color and tags

After you create a folder, you can color-code it to make it easier to spot in Finder. Right-click the folder and hover over Tags to see color options. Click a color to apply it. The folder gets a colored dot next to its name, making it stand out in lists and in icon view.

You can also add text tags to folders by selecting from the same menu. Tags help you search and organize later — for example, you might tag a folder "Work" or "2024 Project" so you can find all related folders at once using Finder's search.

Moving and copying folders after creation

Once you create a folder, you can move it by dragging it to a new location in Finder. You can also cut and paste it: right-click the folder, select Cut, navigate to where you want it, right-click in empty space, and select Paste. The folder moves to the new location.

To copy a folder instead of moving it, right-click and select Duplicate. A copy appears in the same location with "copy" added to the name. You can then rename it and move it wherever you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create a folder with a special character in the name?

Most special characters work fine in Mac folder names, but a few are not allowed: the colon (:), forward slash (/), and backslash (\). If you try to use one of these, your Mac will not let you confirm the name. Hyphens, underscores, periods, and spaces are all fine.

What if Command + Shift + N does not work?

Check that you are using the correct keys — Command is the key with the Apple logo, Shift is the key with the up arrow, and N is the letter N. If it still does not work, try the menu method: open Finder, click File at the top, and select New Folder. You can also right-click in empty space and choose New Folder from the menu.

Can I create a folder on my desktop and in iCloud at the same time?

Your desktop and iCloud are separate locations. A folder on your desktop stays on your Mac. To create a folder in iCloud Drive, open Finder, click iCloud Drive in the sidebar, then use Command + Shift + N. The folder appears in iCloud Drive instead of on your desktop.

How do I delete a folder I just created?

Right-click the folder and select Move to Trash, or click it once and press Command + Delete. The folder moves to your Trash. If you change your mind, open Trash, right-click the folder, and select Put Back to restore it to its original location.