How to Create a New Folder on a MacBook Air

To create a new folder on a MacBook Air, open Finder, go to the location where you want the folder, and press Shift + Command + N. You can also choose File > New Folder from the menu bar, or Control-click (two-finger click) an empty space in a Finder window or on the desktop and choose New Folder. Type a name and press Return.

These steps work on any Mac running a recent version of macOS. Below you’ll also learn how to make a folder from selected files, create folders in iCloud Drive, and change a folder’s color or icon.

Method 1: Use the keyboard shortcut

1. Click the Finder icon in the Dock, or click the desktop.
2. Open the folder where you want the new folder, such as Documents.
3. Press Shift + Command + N.
4. Type a name for the folder and press Return.

Method 2: Use the File menu

1. In Finder, go to the location you want.
2. Click File in the menu bar and choose New Folder.
3. Type a name and press Return.

Method 3: Right-click (Control-click)

Click with two fingers on the trackpad (or hold Control and click) on an empty spot in a Finder window or on the desktop, then choose New Folder. If a Finder window is in list view, make sure you click empty space below the files.

How to put selected files into a new folder

1. Select the files. Hold Command and click to select several.
2. Control-click one of the selected files and choose New Folder with Selection. Or press Control + Command + N.
3. Type a name and press Return.

How to create a folder in iCloud Drive

Click iCloud Drive in the Finder sidebar, then use any method above. The folder syncs to your iPhone, iPad, and iCloud.com. If you don’t see iCloud Drive, go to System Settings > your name > iCloud > iCloud Drive and turn it on.

How to rename, color, or change a folder’s icon

• Rename: Click the folder once, press Return, type the new name, and press Return again.
• Add a color tag: Control-click the folder and choose a color. Tags appear in the Finder sidebar for quick access.
• Change the icon: Copy an image, select the folder, press Command + I, click the small folder icon at the top of the Info window, and press Command + V. Recent versions of macOS may also let you choose a folder color or emoji from the folder’s shortcut menu.
• Add to the sidebar: Drag the folder into the Favorites section of the Finder sidebar.

How do I delete a folder on a Mac?

Drag it to the Trash, or select it and press Command + Delete. Empty the Trash to delete it permanently.

If New Folder is grayed out or a folder goes missing

• New Folder is grayed out: You may not have permission to add items to that location, or you’re in a view like Recents that isn’t a real folder. Go to a regular folder like Documents.
• The folder disappeared from the desktop: Check whether Stacks is on (Control-click the desktop and turn off Use Stacks), or whether the desktop is syncing with iCloud.

Kermit Matthews

Kermit Matthews runs Live2Tech from just outside Philadelphia. He is an IT specialist with over 20 years of experience, from a university help desk to small-business IT, IT management and his own consulting practice, and has written tech guides full time since 2020. Steps are checked against the current software on a real device or the maker’s official documentation. More about Kermit.