Use File Comments in Spotlight searches
Mac Tip #394, 22 July 2009
Metadata you add to a file in its Comments area helps with Spotlight searches.
Once you’ve added metadata to the Spotlight Comments area of a file 1, Spotlight searches can quickly zero in on what you’re looking for. Here’s how it works:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKJF7h8MTGM
- Add the metadata to a file, as explained in Add and Display File Comments
- Allow time for Spotlight to index the file. Spotlight regularly updates its index — it may take between minutes and hours, depending on how your machine is set up.
- Click on the Magnifying Glass icon at the extreme right end of the Menu Bar. The Spotlight Search Field appears.
- Enter your search terms — for example, keywords that appear in the Spotlight Comments area of a file. Spotlight starts searching while you type, and displays the results in a list below the Search Field.
- Once you see the result you’re looking for either:
- Click on the file to open it in the default application. For example, a
.jpg
file may open inPreview
; or - Command (⌘) click on the file to reveal it in the Finder.
- Click on the file to open it in the default application. For example, a
1 Add and Display File Comments.
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