Level 1 (5 points)

Open dialog in columns view no longer shows most recent folder files

Since changing my OS to Golden Gate 27, if I try to open a file from the previously opened folder, if the folder is buried deeply enough, and I am in columns view, I have to scroll over to see the files within that folder. Before I installed OS 27, that was not the case. It would open the last folder and I could see all the files within that folder immediately within the open dialog box. Is there a way to make it work the way it did before?

Posted on Sep 25, 2026 8:16 PM

5 replies

WheelieNick

Level 9 (74,110 points)

Oct 1, 2026 8:12 AM in response to AppleNubie

Hi there

Please try this

Switching your Open dialog view from Column view to List view or Gallery view is currently the only effective workaround to restore the previous behavior, as the column view focusing on the top level of the hierarchy is a known bug in recent macOS versions.

Switch the view: When the Open dialog box is open, use the view switcher buttons at the top of the window (or press Cmd + 2 for list view

neuroanatomist

Level 9 (72,871 points)

Oct 1, 2026 8:22 AM in response to AppleNubie

The workarounds that were available under Tahoe remain viable on Golden Gate:

Set the dialog box to List View

In an Open or Save dialog box, use the toolbar to change the setting

That setting will be retained and upon reopening the dialog box (in any app), the folder shown will be the last used, regardless of how deep it is nested

Use a keyboard arrow press

In the open or save dialog box in Column view, press the right or up/down arrow keys
That will shift the focus to the last folder

Bugs can be reported to Apple here:

Feedback - macOS - Apple

At this point, it may be an intentional change on the part of Apple but feedback may get them to reverse it.

I can replicate this issue on macOS 27 Golden Gate. When using an Open or Save dialog in an app such as Photoshop, but also in native macOS apps including Safari, if you are deep in a folder hierarchy in Column view then the expected behavior when you RE-visit that dialog box is for the far right column to be visible. Instead, the hierarchy starts at the left.

Reporting issues like this to Apple is the only way to get them fixed. They do prioritize bugs based on frequency of reports, so the more people who report it, the faster it will be addressed.

neuroanatomist

Level 9 (72,871 points)

Oct 1, 2026 3:58 PM in response to AppleNubie

Did you upgrade from Tahoe? This was the behavior on macOS 26, as well. macOS 15 Sequoia had the behavior you are expecting.

AppleNubie Author

Level 1 (5 points)

Oct 1, 2026 12:59 PM in response to neuroanatomist

Thank you for your reply. I did send a bug report to Apple about it, but who knows if they'll see it the same way. Definitely been annoying even if it seems like a minor issue, which I guess it is. I just hate when "upgrades" bring on more difficulties, no matter how small.

AppleNubie Author

Level 1 (5 points)

Oct 1, 2026 12:56 PM in response to WheelieNick

Thanks! CMD+2 is helpful.

Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256365196