this post was submitted on 08 Nov 2026
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[–] alecsargent@lemmy.zip 9 points 19 hours ago (2 children)

To see file hierarchy at a glance.

[–] thingsiplay@lemmy.ml 2 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

Currently there are two alternative options to have something similar:

To see file hierarchy at a glance.

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:

[–] alecsargent@lemmy.zip 3 points 3 hours ago

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.

[–] esc@piefed.social 2 points 18 hours ago* (last edited 5 hours ago) (2 children)

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.

[–] thingsiplay@lemmy.ml 1 points 3 hours ago

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).

[–] alecsargent@lemmy.zip 3 points 14 hours ago

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 tree command 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.