How to manually arrange files in folder on iMac Sequoia

Hi

I am trying to arrange a bunch of named files (monthly statements) in list date order:

Jan

Feb

March

etc.

I cannot drag Jan above Feb, the files remain fixed in alphabetical name order. How do I get rid of Name order without imposing another kind of order (size etc). I just want to drag and drop in correct date order.


Thanks

iMac 24″, macOS 15.5

Posted on Oct 18, 2025 8:20 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 18, 2025 9:38 AM

The screenshot I provided was taken under macOS Sequoia.

To select "None" in 'Sort By:', you must first select "None" in 'Group By:'.


Where are your folders located?

What View are you using? (Icon, List, Columns, Gallery)? You may need to select a different View to enable the sorting that you want to use.

9 replies

Oct 21, 2025 5:49 AM in response to alanmclean

You cannot order foldernames in Calendar month naming or abbreviation order by any means as even with None set in the Finder Window, they are subject to the default alphabetical collating order of the operating system and you get:



However, you can take advantage of that collating order. Realize that numbers take priority over text and one can rename each folder name prefaced by its month number, an underbar, and the abbreviated month name, and this will sort the months in order:




Oct 18, 2025 9:10 AM in response to D.I. Johnson

Many thanks but there is no "None" option in "Sort by"

In "Group by" the option "None" does not help.

The files always snap back to their original position in List view.


One of the recent OS updates rigidly arranges desktop files so maybe

I need to find a way of switch off the snap back facility. I can't re- arrange any icons on the desktop, they all return to initial positions. I suspect that's the problem. All ideas welcome.



Oct 21, 2025 12:01 AM in response to alanmclean

Thanks very much. I have selected "None" on "Group by" and "none" on "Sort by" but still cannot change order. Files are on my desktop.

I am using List view. If I change to Icon view then I can move the Icons around no problem but when I return to List view then the files are presented in alphabetical order and snap back if I try to move them. Any idea how I can re-order? Is this just an Apple default feature?


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How to manually arrange files in folder on iMac Sequoia

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