Folders on Top Mac Sierra: Keep Them Sorted
If you’re looking for folders on top in macOS Sierra (10.12), the setting is in the Finder’s View menu: open the folder, click View > Sort By, and choose Name. Then click View > Show View Options (or press Command+J) and check Keep folders on top. This article explains how that works, why it sometimes doesn’t stick, and how to apply it to every folder on your Mac.
Background: Why Folders Sort Above Files
macOS has always grouped folders separately from files when you sort by name, date, or size. In older versions (pre-Mavericks), this was automatic and not user-configurable. Starting with OS X Mavericks (10.9), Apple added the “Keep folders on top� checkbox in the View Options window, giving you control. In Sierra, the option appears in two places: the per-folder View Options and the global Finder Preferences (under the Advanced tab). The global setting applies to all new windows, but a folder’s own setting can override it.
How to Turn On “Keep Folders on Top� in Sierra
There are two ways to enable it, depending on whether you want it for one folder or everywhere.
For a Single Folder
- Open the folder in Finder.
- Click View in the menu bar and choose as List, as Columns, or as Gallery (Icon view also works).
- Press Command+J to open View Options.
- Check the box next to Keep folders on top.
- Close the window. The change applies to that folder only.
For All Folders (Default)
- Open Finder preferences: press Command+, while in Finder, or go to Finder > Preferences.
- Click the Advanced tab.
- Check Keep folders on top under “When sorting by name.�
Note: In Sierra, the global preference only affects sorting by name. If you sort by Date Modified or Size, folders still stay on top—but the checkbox specifically controls name sorting.
How Sorting Interacts with “Keep Folders on Top�
The setting works with the current sort order. For example, if you sort by Date Modified, folders are still grouped above files, and within each group items are ordered by date. If you sort by Name, folders appear first alphabetically, then files. If you sort by Kind or Application, the grouping may be different—folders might not be on top because the sort key is not “name.� To get folders always on top regardless of sort, you’d need to use a smart folder or a third-party tool, but the built-in option covers the common cases.
Common Problems and Fixes
Why Isn’t “Keep Folders on Top� Working?
- You’re in Icon view with “Arrange By� set. In Icon view, the View Options has both “Arrange By� and “Sort By.� If “Arrange By� is set to something like “Kind,� folders might not stay on top. Switch “Arrange By� to “None� or “Name� to see the effect.
- The folder has a custom setting. If you previously set a different sort for that folder, it overrides the global preference. Use Command+J in that folder and check the box again.
- You’re in a smart folder or search results. Smart folders don’t honor “Keep folders on top� in Sierra.
- You’re in Column view. In Column view, the option works but may not be visually obvious because columns are narrow. Try List view to confirm.
How to Reset a Folder’s View Options
If a folder is misbehaving, press Command+J and click Use as Defaults (or “Restore to Defaults� in some versions). This resets the folder to the global settings, which should include the “Keep folders on top� preference if you’ve set it.
Comparison: Sierra vs. Later macOS Versions
In macOS Sierra, the “Keep folders on top� checkbox is present in both View Options and Finder Preferences. In later versions (High Sierra, Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura, Sonoma), the option remains, but the location of Finder Preferences changed slightly (still under Advanced). The behavior is essentially the same. One difference: in macOS Catalina and later, the Finder uses a new “Gallery� view, but the option still applies. If you’re on a newer Mac, the steps are nearly identical—just the menu names are the same.
Alternatives and Power User Tips
If the built-in option isn’t enough, you can:
- Use tags to color-code folders and then sort by tag color.
- Create a smart folder that shows only folders (kind is folder) and sort that by name—folders are always listed.
- Rename folders with a prefix like “AAA� to force them to the top when sorting by name, but that’s hacky.
- Use Terminal commands to set the Finder’s default sort order globally, but the GUI method is safer and recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does “Keep folders on top� work in all views?
It works in List, Column, Gallery, and Icon views, but in Icon view you must also set “Arrange By� to “None� or “Name� for it to take effect. In Cover Flow (removed after Mojave), it also worked.
Why do folders disappear from the top after I restart?
If you’re using a folder that has a custom view setting, it may revert if the Finder preferences file is corrupted. Try resetting the folder’s view options with Command+J and “Use as Defaults.� Also, make sure the global preference is checked in Finder Preferences > Advanced.
Can I set “Keep folders on top� for only the Desktop?
Yes. Click the Desktop, press Command+J, and check the box. This applies only to the Desktop, not to other folders.
Does this setting affect how files are sorted in the Dock or Spotlight?
No. It only affects Finder windows and the Desktop. Spotlight results and the Dock use their own sorting logic.
I’m on macOS Monterey—does the same trick work?
Yes, the option is still there in Finder Preferences > Advanced. The steps are identical to Sierra.
What if I want folders on top but files sorted by date within folders?
You can’t do that with the built-in setting. “Keep folders on top� only groups folders together; the sort order applies to both groups equally. You’d need a third-party file manager like ForkLift or Path Finder for that level of control.
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