How to Open the Finder Location of a PDF on macOS
Question details
The user needs to find the exact folder location of a currently open PDF file in macOS Finder.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat DC
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Trying to locate an open PDF file in Finder after an application or macOS Catalina update caused the quick shortcut to disappear.
- Observed behavior
- The option to open the file's location in Finder is no longer visible in the standard interface, though the file path can still be found deep inside the File Properties.
Ensure your PDF file is saved locally on your Mac's hard drive and is not a temporary file opened directly from a web browser.
Exit Full-Screen Mode to Reveal Window Controls
Newer macOS versions often open applications in full-screen mode, which hides the standard title bar and window controls where the file location shortcut normally resides.
When an application runs in full-screen mode on macOS, the top File menu and the title bar icons are automatically hidden to maximize reading space. Exiting this mode restores the standard interface.
Hover your mouse cursor at the very top of your Mac screen until the menu bar drops down.
Click the green circle button in the upper-left corner of the window to exit full-screen mode, or press Control+Command+F on your keyboard.
Once in normal view, right-click (or Control-click) the file name in the application's title bar to reveal the folder hierarchy, then click the enclosing folder to open it in Finder.
Find the Path via Document Properties
If the user interface shortcut has been permanently removed by an application update, you can always retrieve the exact file path from the document's properties.
Test in a New Administrator Profile
Corrupted user preferences can sometimes hide specific UI elements. Creating a new admin profile helps determine if the issue is system-wide or isolated to your user account.
Easily Locate and Manage PDF Files with WPS Office for Mac
WPS Office offers a seamless PDF reading and editing experience on macOS. You can easily locate your opened PDF files in Finder directly from the document tab without digging through complex settings or properties.
- 1. Open your PDF: Launch WPS Office for Mac and open your PDF document.
- 2. Right-click the document tab: Locate the document tab at the top of the reading window and right-click (or Control-click) on the file name.
- 3. Open File Location: Select 'Open File Location' from the drop-down menu. Finder will instantly open and highlight your specific PDF file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the 'Open in Finder' shortcut disappear after I updated macOS?
System updates or application updates can alter the user interface. When applications default to opening in full-screen mode on newer macOS versions like Catalina, standard title bar features and shortcuts are hidden to maximize screen space.
Can I locate the PDF folder without using the title bar shortcut?
Yes, you can find the exact file path by navigating to File > Properties (or Document Properties) within your PDF reader. The 'Description' tab typically lists the full folder location of the file.
Does exiting full-screen mode always restore missing menu options?
Exiting full-screen mode restores the standard macOS window controls and the application title bar, which often contain the file location shortcuts. However, if the application developer removed the feature in a recent version update, the shortcut will remain absent even in normal view.
What is the keyboard shortcut to see a file path in macOS Finder?
In Finder, you can press Option+Command+P to toggle the Path Bar at the bottom of the window, which shows the exact location of the selected file. Alternatively, you can press Command+I to view the 'Get Info' panel, which displays the location path.
