this post was submitted on 08 Nov 2026
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What do you need columns for
better than the tree view 80% of the time for me
To see file hierarchy at a glance.
Currently there are two alternative options to have something similar:
One could also use the "Details View" with the "Expandable" option enabled. It's not quiet the same as a Columns, but one can see the hierarchy:
Alternatively use the "Folders" panel on the side. This has the advantage to use any "View" mode in the files listing:
That seems way more useful than the columns in my opinion. I don't use Dolphin but it is good to know. Thank your for mentioning it.
Yea, I've seen it when it was still available and there are other file managers with similar modes, it just doesn't make sense to me, that's it.
Agree. I think this Columns mode is for MacOS users, where the file manager works similar when I remember correctly (oh boy its 20 years ago on an iMac).
I think it is only useful in a couple cases and it is definitely not often. For example I think it is just better to run a
treecommand with the options that one may need.Its meant for files one does not remember they are there, or for a quick view of a directory one does not know the contents.
Don't know if that makes sense to your, but that is the best I can explain it.
@xylol @esc Holding a roof up.
So that my rows don't feel lonely.