Sometimes I have to upload, attach, open, insert, multiple files into various programs and websites. Often I have to do many in a row. Every time I "Browse" to add a file, OSX or Finder takes me back to its default location and the window defaults back to this little square that I have to then widen and navigate back to the directory I was just in, every time. Can OSX be told to always use the last file location and window size for an Open dialog, no matter what program is being used?
1 Answer
That functionality is how the Finder works at present. Sizes made to a dialog in an app should be saved across open actions (but the window position isn't saved as this window gets drawn to be centered and a bit below the active window.) Changes to the underlying window are supposed to affect the open dialog.
Are you using safari or some other program to "browse"?
Have you looked at software like DefaultFolderX to add better tracking of the recent folders? I don't know if it will help with the sizing, but it has been doing the default folder trick for ages and ages and is very stable and well supported.
Lastly, do check how the Apple apps like Safari, TextEdit and Pages work. Many third party applications don't implement file open / file save / file choose according to the user interface guidelines. Much of this is fairly technical but documented at developer.apple.com in the Human Interface Guidelines. See the open and choose discussion here if you want to know how this happens in code.
In a nutshell - OSX does save folder and size while a program is running but not generally saved after the speficic application is quit. A programmer can make their program do anything - so even if OSX wants to go to the last folder, if the program says to always open the home folder you will need a plug in like DefaultFolder or that program to change.
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That solves the default folder part of the problem for the most part. The window size problem is equally as annoying.– milkmoodCommented Jun 15, 2011 at 16:56
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I'm editing my answer since my system is saving the size between opens. The dialog sheet comes up centered, but the size is maintained and consistently drawn at that same size that the dialog was last left. Have you rules out a preference bug by trying in a new user?– bmike ♦Commented Jun 15, 2011 at 17:51
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When I said "browse", I was referring to browsing the filesystem for files to handle (upload, open, insert, etc). I use Chrome as a web browser, which is a different term. I use Entourage for email, and the "insert" function in that program is one example of where I lose the filesystem location from one image to the next, literally within the same email; and Entourage doesn't let you select multiple images at one time for an insert, or else I would. Other programs, such as Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator do maintain the last file open location, but still not the window size.– milkmoodCommented Jun 16, 2011 at 12:45
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I figured you were using non-apple apps. The file open, file save, and file choose all call the same Apple Code and the apple provided functions will save size and last folder. If the programmer chooses to not use Apple's code - user confusion ensues. See developer.apple.com/library/mac/#documentation/Cocoa/Conceptual/… for the file chooser code. In short, every app that doesn't work like safari does needs to be corrected by the developer to work as you request.– bmike ♦Commented Jun 16, 2011 at 20:17