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In Windows when you're in File Explorer, you can right-click anywhere and create a new item of various types (there's then a submenu option to select which type: text file, ZIP file, etc., just to name a few). In Finder there seems to be no such option. I imagine the expected workflow on Mac would be to open an Application and create a new file from within the application, then save it. But I sometimes prefer this alternative workflow of creating a blank file first, and then opening it as the entrypoint into the application.

Is there some way to configure Finder to add a right-click option to create new, empty files?

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  • Do you want a specific kind of file? Creating txt file for instance is pretty easy using automator. We can try to mimic the workflow for other apps. Oct 24, 2018 at 16:50
  • Text and ZIP files are realistically the only two that I need
    – soapergem
    Oct 24, 2018 at 16:52
  • 2
    OK just give me a moment to build the workflow Oct 24, 2018 at 16:55
  • It's crazy how Mac's don't have this (yet)...
    – Edward
    Dec 7, 2018 at 17:12
  • youtube.com/watch?v=sE_V0vzNTWQ
    – KcFnMi
    May 25, 2022 at 3:46

2 Answers 2

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1 - Create anywhere on your computer a Source folder with the files you want to use:

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2 - Open Automator and create a new service:

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3 - Set the Service to receive a folder in Finder as input:

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4 - Drag a "Set Value of Variable" action to the workflow:

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5 - Save a new variable "Storage":

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6 - Now that we have the target location lets clear the memory placing an Applescript action using this code:


tell application "System Events"
    set the clipboard to {}
end tell


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7 - Get the file you created using a "Get Specific Finder Item" action:

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8 - Copy to the new folder using a "Copy Finder Item" action and dragging the Storage variable from the bottom:

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9 - Save your workflow:

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10 - Usage - select the folder you want, right click and find your service:

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11 - Repeat the process for the zip file or other files you want.



Edit: if you know how to Applescript and want to improve further, you can use a dialog box to choose between several filetypes and build a single service, using a "choose from" command like this:


set fileType to (choose from list {"txt", "zip", "etc"} with prompt "Choose File")

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You can add Services to Finder's right-click context menu using Automator: create a workflow which you save as a Service, and it'll be available upon right-click.

I know that out of the box you can add create new text file and create new keynote presentation that way, as well as new folder, new folder within folder and so on, but... I think you may need to find more Automator actions for other document types to be able to add a "new type XX file" to your Finder Service.

https://developer.apple.com/library/content/documentation/LanguagesUtilities/Conceptual/MacAutomationScriptingGuide/MakeaSystem-WideService.html

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  • Absolutely, you are correct sir. I am but a fixer, who likes to work around stuff. Apr 17, 2022 at 23:13
  • I can’t find a way to make my "Services" contextual menu item appear (new file) appear when I right-click inside an empty folder? It only appears in the FInder>Services menu… Sep 25, 2022 at 12:26

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