6 Effective Methods to Copy File/Folder Path on Mac

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Copying the file path of a document, folder, or app on your Mac can be useful for troubleshooting, programming, file sharing, and system configuration. macOS doesn't always make this process obvious, but with a few simple tricks, you can access full file paths in Finder, Terminal, and other parts of the system.

This guide covers six methods to copy the full path of any file or folder on your Mac, including ways that work on macOS Tahoe, Sequoia, Sonoma, Ventura, and earlier versions. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced user, you'll find a method here that fits your workflow.

What Is a File Path on Mac?

A file path is a string that describes the exact location of a file or folder in your Mac's file system. There are two types:

• Absolute path: Starts from the root directory, e.g. /Users/John/Documents/report.pdf
• Relative path: Relative to your current directory or environment, e.g. Documents/report.pdf

File paths are used in Terminal commands, coding environments, Automator scripts, and when troubleshooting issues with tech support.

6 Methods to Find and Copy File Path on Mac

Method 1: Copy File Path from Finder Using Right-Click

This is the simplest and fastest method available in modern macOS versions.

Steps:

1. Open Finder and locate the file or folder.
2. Right-click on the item (or Control + click).
3. Hold the Option key, and you'll see the menu item change from "Copy" to ➝ Copy [filename] as Pathname.

4. Click it, and the full file path will be copied to your clipboard.
5. Paste it into any app (TextEdit, Terminal, Notes, etc.).

When to Use:

• Ideal for casual users
• Best for quick copy-paste operations

macOS Compatibility:

• Works on macOS Big Sur or later

Method 2: Use Terminal to Get File Path

If you're comfortable with Terminal, this method is both visual and exact.

Steps:

1. Open Terminal from Launchpad or Spotlight.

2. Drag and drop the file or folder into the Terminal window.
3. The full file path will appear instantly.

4. Highlight and copy the path manually with Command + C.

Example Output:

/Users/bryan/Documents/MYFILES/use\ text.txt

Why Use This Method?

• Great for developers and power users
• Allows immediate use in shell scripts or commands

Method 3: View Path Using "Get Info" Panel

This method works visually but requires manual copying.

Steps:

1. Right-click the file or folder.
2. Choose Get Info (or press Command + I).

3. In the info window, find the "Where" section under "General."
4. This shows the folder path (not including the file).

5. You can manually highlight and copy the path.

Limitations:

• Doesn't include the full file name
• Not ideal for advanced automation or scripting

Method 4: Use Automator to Create a Quick Service (Advanced)

If you're someone who regularly needs to copy file or folder paths and you want a one-click solution, Automator offers a powerful, customizable approach. By setting up a Quick Action (also called a Service in older macOS versions) using Automator, you can add a permanent right-click menu item called "Copy File Path" that works across all file types and folders - no need to remember keyboard shortcuts or hold the Option key.

This is especially useful for:

• Developers, system administrators, or QA testers
• Script writers who frequently need POSIX paths
• Anyone who wants to speed up repetitive file operations

Steps to Set It Up:

Step 1: Open Automator

• Navigate to Applications > Automator
• Or use Spotlight (Command + Space) and type "Automator"

Step 2: Create a New Quick Action

• Select File > New

• Choose Quick Action (or Service on older systems)

Step 3: Configure Workflow Input

• At the top of the workflow:
  • Workflow receives current → Choose files or folders
  • In → Select Finder

• This setup ensures the Quick Action appears only when right-clicking in Finder.

Step 4: Add a "Run Shell Script" Action

• In the Actions Library (left panel), search for "Run Shell Script"

• Drag it into the workflow area

Step 5: Enter the Shell Script Code

• Use this code to copy the path(s) of selected files or folders to the clipboard:

  for f in "$@"
  do
  echo "$f"
  done | pbcopy

• This loops through each selected item and pipes the full path(s) into the macOS clipboard.

Step 6: Save the Workflow

• Go to File > Save
• Name it something meaningful like "Copy File Path"

Once saved, the new action will appear in Finder's right-click context menu under Quick Actions or Services.

How to Use Your Custom File Path Copier

1. Open Finder and locate the file or folder
2. Right-click the item
3. Hover over Quick Actions or Services
4. Select Copy File Path

The full path will be copied to your clipboard immediately.

★ Advanced Option: Copy Only File Name or Directory Path

If you want more tailored behavior, like copying just the folder path or filename, modify the script:

To copy only the parent directory:

dirname "$@" | pbcopy

To copy just the filename:

basename "$@" | pbcopy

You can even create multiple workflows with different names like:

• Copy Folder Path
• Copy Filename Only
• Copy Relative Path (with extra scripting)

★ Troubleshooting Tips

1. Quick Action not showing up in Finder?

• Make sure you selected "files or folders" and Finder in the "Workflow receives current" section.
• Confirm it's saved and properly named.
• Restart Finder:

  killall Finder

2. Output not being copied to clipboard?

• Check that pbcopy is installed (it is by default on macOS)
• Try logging output to see what's happening:

  echo "$@" > ~/Desktop/debug.txt

3. Automator permissions issue on macOS Ventura/Sonoma?

• Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access
• Ensure Automator and Finder have the necessary permissions

Why This Method Stands Out

While Option + right-click works well for most users, creating your own Quick Action gives you:

• Total control over formatting and behavior
• Consistency across all files and folders
• No reliance on keyboard modifiers
• Multi-item support

Once set up, it becomes part of your file management workflow - especially powerful for developers, IT professionals, or frequent Terminal users.

Method 5: Use Finder's Address Bar (Path Bar or Go to Folder)

Finder has a built-in path bar you can use to see and copy the file path.

Option A: Show Path Bar

1. Open Finder
2. Go to the menu: View > Show Path Bar
3. The path will appear at the bottom of the Finder window

4. Right-click the folder name in the bar and choose Copy

Option B: Command + Option + C Shortcut

1. Select the file or folder in Finder
2. Press Command + Option + C
3. The full path is copied instantly to your clipboard

   '/Users/bryan/Documents/MYFILES/use text.txt'

Best For:

• Users who want a consistent method without right-clicking
• Ideal for visual tracking of folder hierarchy

Method 6: Use Third-Party File Managers or Clipboard Tools

Apps like Path Finder, Commander One, or ClipMenu provide enhanced file navigation and copying features.

Popular Tools:

• Path Finder – Adds toolbar button to copy paths
• CopyPath – Lightweight utility for quick path copying
• ClipMenu – Stores and formats copied paths

When to Use:

• If you regularly work with file paths
• When macOS tools feel limited or repetitive

Copy File/Folder Path on Mac Tips and FAQs

1. How to Copy File Path on macOS Ventura or Later?

The methods described above work similarly on macOS Ventura, Sonoma...Tahoe or later, but you may notice subtle differences:

Changes in Context Menu Behavior:

• Right-click menus now include "Quick Actions" more prominently
• Some users report the "Copy as Pathname" option hidden or disabled by default

Workarounds:

• Make sure Finder has Full Disk Access under System Settings > Privacy & Security
• If Option + Right Click isn't showing "Copy as Pathname," restart Finder or try the Command + Option + C shortcut

2. Why You May Need to Copy a File Path?

Understanding how and when to copy a file path is valuable in many scenarios:

1. Using Terminal Commands

• File paths are essential for cd, ls, open, and other commands
• Example:

  open "/Users/John/Documents/report.pdf"

2. Troubleshooting Software or Errors

• Tech support often asks for file paths to diagnose issues

3. Programming and Automation

• File paths are used in Xcode, scripts, IDEs like Visual Studio Code, and Python

4. Sharing Internal File Locations

• Share internal file paths with coworkers (e.g., on shared drives)

3. Common Mistakes When Copying File Paths on Mac

1. Not Holding the Option Key

• If you don't hold Option while right-clicking, you won't see "Copy as Pathname"

2. Spaces and Special Characters

• Paths with spaces need to be escaped in Terminal, e.g.:

  /Users/John/My\ Files/notes.txt

3. Using Relative Paths Unintentionally

• Always check if the path is absolute (starts with /) or relative

4. Quotation Errors

• When using paths in scripts or Terminal, wrap paths in double quotes to avoid issues:

  open "/Users/John/Documents/My Notes/plan.txt"

Tips for Power Users

• Set up a custom Automator action to copy relative paths or POSIX paths
• Use Keyboard Maestro to bind path-copying actions to hotkeys
• Store frequently used paths in Alfred workflows or clipboard managers

Conclusion

Whether you're troubleshooting a Mac, writing a script, or just trying to share a folder location with a teammate, copying file paths is a basic yet essential task. macOS offers several built-in ways to do it, each tailored to different user levels and needs.

For most users, right-click + Option > Copy as Pathname is the easiest. Power users may prefer custom Automator workflows or Terminal commands.

By mastering these methods, you'll improve your productivity and efficiency when working with macOS files and applications.