macOS: How to Quickly View Hidden Files and Folders in Finder

Andrew Orr

Under a minute read
| Tips

My previous method of viewing hidden files and folders with Terminal doesn’t seem to work anymore. But there is a keyboard shortcut that does the same thing.

Hidden Files Shortcut

Using a keyboard shortcut to view hidden files in Finder.

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I love how quick, easy, and painless this is. All you have to do in a Finder window is press Command (⌘) + Shift + Period. That’s it. I don’t know if this command specific to macOS High Sierra (but I doubt it). But if you’re running a different version of macOS and this shortcut doesn’t work for you, let me know in the comments and I’ll make a note of it in the article.

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  1. Brian Ratcliff Subscriber 8 years ago

    I am running High Sierra, 10.13.3 and this command isn’t working for me. Any thoughts?

    Reply
    1. Brian Ratcliff Subscriber 8 years ago

      Disregard. I got it to work.

      Reply
  2. mcdomx Subscriber 8 years ago

    Great shortcut! I’ve been using a terminal alias to toggle this. Big help!

    Reply
  3. xmattingly Subscriber 8 years ago

    I don’t know if this command specific to macOS High Sierra

    You are correct, sir. This command was introduced in Sierra (a happy accident I stumbled across early last year, after I bought a 2016 MBP). This is quite frankly one of my Top 10 favorite macOS enhancements from at least the past five years; it’s a huge benefit for developers.

    Reply
  4. furbies Subscriber 8 years ago

    Unfortunately not working on El Capitan 🙁

    Reply
    1. Dr.MORO Subscriber 8 years ago

      <

      blockquote>
      Nope, not in El Capitan… 🙁
      I wonder if this shortcut can be enabled in El Capitan nor not.

      Reply
      1. xmattingly Subscriber 8 years ago

        You would probably have to set it up as a Service with either Automator or AppleScript, then designate a key command. Can’t be done in System Preferences > Keyboard since there’s no Finder menu item for it.

  5. PSMacintosh Subscriber 8 years ago

    Works in Sierra 10.12.6
    Fantastic. Easy. Great. (Finally!)

    Reply
  6. Graham McKay 8 years ago

    Great find. I’ve previously been using Invisibility Toggler, but this is far easier.
    Have confirmed it works in 10.12

    Reply
  7. John Kheit 8 years ago

    OMG. Dude you totally rock it! Fantastic find! Thanks!

    Reply

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