How to Organize Files with Finder Tags

Master file management on macOS by applying, customizing, and searching with Finder Tags to keep your digital workspace organized and efficient.

1. Customize your tag list. Open Finder and select Settings from the Finder menu or press Command + Comma. Click the Tags tab to view all enabled tags. Check the boxes next to tags you wish to see in the Finder sidebar or click the plus button to define a new custom tag.
2. Assign tags to files. Right-click any file or folder in Finder and locate the Tags section in the context menu. Select a color or type a custom tag name into the input field to assign it. Press Enter to confirm the addition.
3. Use the shortcut menu. Select a file in Finder and press Control + Option + 0 to open the tag entry box directly above the file. Type the tag name and press Enter to instantly apply it. This method is the fastest way to tag multiple files in succession.
4. Filter by tags. Look at the Finder sidebar on the left. Click on any colored tag icon under the Tags header to instantly display every file across your entire Mac that shares that tag. Use the search bar in the top-right corner while in a tag view to narrow results further.
5. Remove tags from files. Right-click the tagged file and select Get Info or press Command + I. Navigate to the Tags field, click the X icon next to the tag you wish to remove, or press the Delete key while the tag is highlighted. The tag will be unlinked from the file immediately.