Feature: Add support for resizing columns in the column layout

[jainal09]

What's the Problem?

For files having long names. In column view it only covers some part of name. Having a feature to resize the column by clicking is absolutely necessary and needed!
(SEE SCREEN SHOT)

Requirements

• Support for resizing columns
• Columns sizes should be saves across sessions
• Double clicking the resize bar should size the column to fit

Files Version

Version: 2.0.13.0 OS Version: 10.0.22478.1012

Windows Version

Windows 11 22478.1012

Additional comment

No response

[yaira2]

Would a horizontal scroll bar be better for consistency?

[sergiubacioiu]

An option in settings menu to resize all the columns would be great too. I mostly use a maximum of 2/3 subfolders so most of the time 30% of my screen is empty.

[JerissCloudCenter]

I support this request, we absolutely need a way to be able to easily drag left/right the columns by clicking on the column line. Example in the screenshot below. Some columns have width wider than necessary, and some have width shorter than necessary.

There are two solutions :

1. Providing an "auto-fit" feature where the columns would adjust automatically to the longest file name.
2. Hovering on the column should display a drag left/right feature, and the user can manually drag wider/shorter.

Personally, I am in favor of Solution 1 (most user-friendly) but Solution 2 is fine too.

[yaira2]

Are the custom column sizes supposed to be saved for whenever the directory is opened again?

[andrefromsbg]

hello, is there anything happening with this task? files is really a great file browser for windows. but the fact that you can't change the column width keeps me, and probably many others who are used to this rudimentary function of apple finder, from using files as a permanent alternative...

[yaira2]

Are the custom column sizes supposed to be saved for whenever the directory is opened again?

@jainal09

[michael-oz-smith]

Saving column sizes would be helpful, but simply having the ability to resize columns is an ASAP necessity.

Users coming over from Macs are very accustomed to having this capability since its been an OS X feature since launch.

[yaira2]

Does MacOS save the sizes?

[Lukiluc29]

Does MacOS save the sizes?

I believe and I even think that if this function is not on MacOS it would be better to put it like that we don't need to readjust the columns all the time to see the names of the documents

[jainal09]

No macos doesnt save the resized column sizes

[Lukiluc29]

Yes but it's still better to include this option if possible and if it's not too long to code

[Au-angeloupali]

you could use the same sidebar operation, it's perfect.
At this point we also implement the function of being able to collapse columns with some friction pixels

[andrefromsbg]

Hey people, this issue is now open for almost 2 years - is there a chance that something will happen here and this feature will be implemented?

[yaira2]

@andrefromsbg it's on the todo list.

[andrefromsbg]

@yaira2 thank you for the quick reply and as always a big thank you to everyone involved in the development of this great application.

[mdtauk]

Maybe there should be a 3.5 max set on the columns, so 3 full columns and one half.

As the window gets narrower, this then goes down to 2.5 columns.

I guess there can be a 1.5 lower limit.

The column widths would resize with the window. We should also consider the option of having two lines of text for the items.

[PatrickECleary]

Just curious... is there any movement on this FR?

I, too, really like the column layout. But it's not usable when filenames are long.

Cocoatech nailed it in their Path Finder software (Finder alternative on Mac). Their column view has an auto-size feature. Very handy.

[Josh65-2201]

No one has started this yet. When someone start work there will be a PR linked showing it.

[panbeep]

Any updates on this? I still can't resize columns in latest 3.0.15 version

[yaira2]

@panbeep it hasn't been added yet

[panbeep]

@yaira2 is it possible to set/add a custom width for all columns? It might be temporary solution until resize is added.

[yaira2]

@panbeep it's about the same amount of work to implement this properly.

[polyclick]

Files has been a godsend for me after switching from 25 years of using MacOS. Column-view is such a speed boost in productivity. But the inability to resize columns baffles me, can we please have this feature?

[SoTHISIsFitness]

This feature request is marked 'ready to build' - has anyone taken the lead on this / is there any update?

[yaira2]

It's still available

[0x5bfa]

Someone did but failed to get it right.
For the devs, our plans around here is not to use BladeView anymore and use a Grid control with Grid.Children for each column view. This is what we did for shell panes and you can see the code here:

Files/src/Files.App/Views/ShellPanesPage.xaml

Line 27 in 0debeee

<Grid x:Name="RootGrid" />