> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://chaoses-ib.gitbook.io/directory-opus/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://chaoses-ib.gitbook.io/directory-opus/manual/release_history/opus13_detailed/folder_formats.md).

# Folder Formats

**Folder Formats**

* Automatic formats:
  * (Configured via Preferences / Folders / Folder Formats / Automatic Formats.)
  * Makes this aspect of Opus similar to File Explorer, with changes saved implicitly, and folders remembering how you left them.
  * When on, changes you make in a Lister that affect the Folder Format (view mode, columns, grouping, sorting, etc.) are automatically saved for the folder you are in.
  * When off, changes must be saved explicitly, as before. If you find automatic formats messy, you can simply turn them off.
  * You can freely mix automatic and explicit settings. If a path has an explicitly saved Folder Format, that will override any automatic one.
  * By default, automatic formats for up to 100 folders are remembered. You can change the limit in Preferences.
  * Automatic formats are kept in a separate list. Your curated Folder Format list won't be flooded with garbage!
  * You can view the list of paths that have an automatic format saved in Preferences. A button there can clear the list.
  * Right-clicking a path in the list gives options to forget it, or convert it to a permanent Folder Format.
  * Automatic formats, if on, alter the Folder Format rules slightly: Editing one folder and then changing to another will load the format for the new folder, rather than make the edit "sticky".
* Per-folder settings:
  * Note: All settings within Folder Formats can be per-folder. This section is about settings which are *usually* globally defined but can be overridden on a per-folder basis.
  * Folder Formats can turn on Checkbox Mode automatically for some or all folders.
  * Folder Formats now include per-folder options for thumbnail size and thumbnail scaling mode.
  * Folder Formats now include per-folder options for the file display font.
  * Folder Formats now allow per-folder override of the "Sort newly created and copied files" option.
  * Several per-folder settings which were part of Folder Formats have been moved out, allowing you to configure independent things more easily:
    * Preferences / Folders / Folder Images: Per-folder background image and color. (The status bar's info icon now also tells you where per-folder backgrounds came from.)
    * Preferences / Folders / Folder Sizes: Per-folder size calculation overrides.
    * Preferences / Folder Tabs / Edge Colors: Per-folder tab accent colors.
    * Preferences / Labels / Label Assignments / In Specific Folders: Per-folder labels (e.g. highlight files matching a wildcard, only in special folders).
    * Preferences / Toolbars / Folder Toolbars: Per-folder toolbars.
  * *Command:* `Set SORTNEWFILES` -- Changes whether new file are sorted in the current folder.
  * Scripting:
    * `Format.sort_new_files` property (values: "on", "off", "default").
    * `Format.checkboxes` property.
    * `Format.thumb_size` property.
* Content Type formats:
  * Folder Formats list in Preferences now displays the threshold (percentage of files that have to match) for each Content Type format.
  * Clicking the threshold value opens a dialog for editing it, instead of it being hidden away in the Folder Formats dialog.
  * Content Type formats are included in menus for manually changing formats, even when turned off:
    * Lets you prevent *automatic* format changes while still being able to manually select it.
    * The dialog for editing threshold also has an option to hide the format, if you never want to use it.
* Columns and grouping:
  * Auto-sized columns can now be given a minimum (as well as a maximum) size.
  * When grouping by a column, groups can now be ordered by member count (groups with the most members will be shown first).
  * Commands:
    * `Set COLUMNSADD` and similar commands allow min to be specified (following max).
    * `Set GROUPORDER` replaces `Set GROUPREVERSE` command (old command still works for compatibility).
  * Scripting:
    * `Column.min` property.
    * `Format.group_order` property. (`Format.group_reverse` still works for compatibility.)
* Filtering:
  * Added format option to filter out reparse points (e.g. all junctions can be hidden).
  * Hide/show wildcard patterns can now be multi-line, making it easier to list multiple filenames or specify multiple wildcards without having to combine them into a single pattern.
  * Similarly, the global wildcards, under Preferences / Filtering and Sorting / Global Filters, are now also multi-line.
* Flat View:
  * If the Format Lock is on when turning on Flat View, the lock will now respected and the Flat View folder format will not be applied.
  * Exception: If the Synchronize Tool turns on Flat View implicitly, the format lock won't prevent the Flat View format being applied.
* User interface:
  * Moved column auto-size and filename extensions settings to the Columns tab.
  * When searching for columns by name, the raw internal names and shorter heading names are now checked as well.
  * Column list has buttons to expand and collapse all categories at once.
  * Moved the Save button from the top to the bottom of the dialog, level with the other buttons.
  * Clear button is now called "Load" and opens a menu with options to reset the format to defaults (user or factory) or to load a Favorite format.
  * Loading a format now updates the dialog but does *not* auto-apply it. Gives a chance to cancel without affecting the file display.
  * In Preferences, you can now change the folder an existing path format affects. (Select it and click Browse above the list, or use the right-click menu).
  * Folder Formats list in Preferences now has *Share* and *Paste* buttons to save or share format definitions.
* Terminology:
  * Previously, we used "Folder Options" instead of "Folder Format" in some places, for historical reasons. We now use "Folder Format" everywhere.
  * In the default toolbars, Folder > Folder Options is renamed Folder > Folder Format.
  * *Command:* `Properties FOLDERFORMAT` replaces `Properties FOLDEROPTIONS` (old name still works, for compatibility).

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Next: [preferences](/directory-opus/manual/release_history/opus13_detailed/preferences.md)