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Changing Icon Sizes in Leopard's Open and Save Dialogs

TMO Quick Tip - Changing Icon Sizes in Leopard's Open and Save Dialogs

by , 7:30 AM EDT, March 14th, 2008

Just because you prefer the icon view in Open and Save dialogs in Mac OS X 10.5 doesn't mean you have to be happy with the icon sizes. If you would rather see bigger or smaller icons, you can, as long as you know where to look.

Here's what to do:

  • You need an Open or Save dialog open, so either choose File > Open, or create a new document and then choose File > Save in the application of your choice.

  • Changing icon size in the Open/Save dialog.
  • Now click and hold on the icon view button and slide your mouse pointer down to Icon Size.
  • Select a new icon size from the Icon Size fly-out menu. The default size is 64 x 64 pixels, but 16 x 16, 32 x 32, and 128 x 128 are options as well.

Sorry, Tiger users. Since the icon view option is limited to Leopard, you can't take advantage of this feature.


Jeff Gamet is TMO's Morning Editor and Reviews Editor. He lectures, teaches and speaks on Mac OS X and design-related topics, and is the author of The Designer's Guide to Mac OS X from Peachpit Press.

if you have tips or tricks to share, or Mac-related questions you want answered.

Observer Comments

Show: Subjects Only | Full Comments
Close Name:wilf53 Posts: 41 Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Subject: Donʼt get it

I am sorry, but I donʼt get it. First of all, what and where is the icon view button if you will forgive me my utter density in the upper regions. I have been clicking and holding everything imagineable, but no such thing as described happens...
Does it matter that my OS is set to Norwegian? It sounds absurd, but could this be a US-only feature?
Or am I just being plain stupid?

I guessed so:)

Ah! So THAT is what is called the icon view button! It was the only thing I had not clicked... OK, the mystery solved=)

Close Name:Guest
Subject: Naturally...

The icon spacing doesn't adjust itself depending on the icon size, so you can end up with really tiny icons with tons of wasted space. Lame.

Close Name:Guest
Subject: icons

does anyone know how to change the pointer icon? i can't find info anywhere.

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