Option+double-click and all the columns expand to accommodate the longest file name.

Good tip.

Scot brought that up on the podcast but usually I don't like having all columns that wide if I have just one that has a long file name.

Now if Option/Click would do a "auto" expand, in other words open up all the columns to their individual needs that would be great.

Hmmm. That is exactly what it is supposed to do – open each column to accommodate the longest file name in that column. Not one size fits all.

Read here:
http://www.apple.com/pro/tips/long_name_fix.html

I just tried it again, but I agree that it seems like all the columns expanded to the same width, meaning a couple of columns were over-wide.

Yep, just rechecked it and I think Mr. Kelby blew that one.

It is a non-discriminatory action - it expands all columns equally.

Great tip guys. I have been expanding columns by double-clicking the double set of lines in the bottom of the active column. I have never figured out a way to make the column widths "stick" though. I would like to not have to do this every time I re-open a particular folder/column.

Mr Kelby? Who dat?

Before I wrote my last post, I checked a number of web sites to confirm what is supposed to happen with Option-Command-double click. They all said essentially the same thing - "... every column expands to show the longest name in each column."

I only posted one link, because it was the only one where you wouldn't have to search some more once you got there, and of course, it was a link to an Apple web page.

His book is the source for the Apple Pro Site.

If you can get it to work like that (individual column widths) let me know, I sure can't.

Option-Click makes all columns the same width, that of the largest column
Command-Click adjusts each column individually

Sorry, but I don't find that Command/(double) Click does anything differently than the original Double Click. It still only opens up the selected column.

So, we have the original tip of opening one column up with a double click or opening up all columns equal to the widest column.

You are quite right! I must have been dreaming

Thanks Rick. I tried this just before reading your post. I got the same results that you did and thought I was doing something wrong.

I guess we worked this one over to the max!

Thanks to Old Rouge for mentioning the alternative and getting the discussion going.

Let's do what we seem to like to do for anything we want changed - Maybe in Leopard we will get Auto column width like Excel.

Sorry, I'm confused.

Which app are you all talking about?

The topic heading I see is: "6. I am in column view but the columns are too narrow."

Am I missing some pages?

The discussion is about how to expand the columns in column view in the Finder.

I see thanks.
Yup, mine does the same thing.