5 Fast Methods to Select and Highlight Multiple Files or Folders

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Ngày cập nhật gần nhất: 15/1/2026

Content

Using Windows

Using Mac

Using Android

Using iPhone or iPad

Using Google Drive

Effective ways to select numerous files or folders at once

If you have several files to copy, move, or delete, you can select multiple files even if they are spread out or adjacent. Use keyboard shortcuts or a mouse to accomplish this. Here's how you can select multiple files on Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone, iPad, or Google Drive.

Selecting Multiple Files on a Computer

To select multiple files on a computer, press Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (Mac) and click on each file. If the files are next to each other, click the first one, hold Shift, and then click the last one.

Instructions

Using Windows

Press Ctrl to select files that are not adjacent. This means selecting files that are scattered apart.

Click on one file.
Hold down Ctrl.
Click on another file.
Repeat for each file.
Release Ctrl when you're done.

Hold ⇧ Shift to select files that are next to each other. This means selecting consecutive files.

Click the first file in the group.
Hold down Shift.
Click the last file in the group.
Release Shift.

Drag your mouse to select files. Move your cursor from one side of the desired selection to the other. This action will highlight all the files within the rectangular selection.

Once highlighted, you can move, copy them to another location, or delete them.

Use a keyboard shortcut to select everything. Press Ctrl + A to select all files in a folder or location.

Using Mac

Press ⌘ Cmd to select files that are not adjacent. This means selecting files that are not next to each other.

Click on a file.
Hold down Cmd.
Click on another file.
Repeat for additional files.
Release Cmd once you’re done.

Hold ⇧ Shift to select files that are next to each other. This means selecting consecutive files.

Click on the first file.
Hold down Shift.
Click on the last file.
Release Shift when done.

Drag your mouse to select files. Move your cursor from one side of the selection to the other. This will select all files within the rectangular area you draw.

Use a keyboard shortcut to select everything. Press Cmd + A to select all files in the current location.

Using Android

Launch the Files app. This is where all the files are stored on your Android device.

Go to the files you wish to select. Tap ☰ at the top-left corner to explore your folders.

Press and hold a file. This will select the file and allow you to choose more files as well.

Tap on the other files. These will be highlighted in blue. You can also hold your finger and swipe down to select multiple files.

You can tap the share icon to modify or send the files to another location.

Using iPhone or iPad

Open the Files app. This is where all your files are stored on your iPhone or iPad.

Navigate to the files you want to select. Tap Browse at the bottom-right corner to explore all your folders.

Tap ••• . This is located in the top-right corner of your screen.

Tap Select. You can find this option at the top of the pop-up menu that appears.

Tap the files you wish to select. A checkmark will appear in the center of each selected file.

Alternatively, tap Select All located in the top-left corner to choose all files.
After selecting, tap the Share icon at the bottom-left corner to copy the files, print them, or upload them to another location.