Quickly Find Out if Files are Saved or Not

There is a really cool little trick that Apple slid into many applications that makes it possible to easily find out whether or not documents being edited are saved or not. Simply look at the red circle in the top left of any window, and check if there is a large dot inside of there. The dot is a sign that the file is unsaved.

Technorati Tags: Apple, Leopard, Saving Files, OS X

Submitted on November 22, 2007 at 9:33 pm - Quickly Find Out if Files are Saved or Not was written by Omer Zach - There have been 6 comments - Categorized in Easy Tips, OS X Tips

6 Responses to “Quickly Find Out if Files are Saved or Not”

DEMON

This is also present in the previous versions of OSX. November 23rd, 2007 at 11:51 am
Mac Fanboy

Are you kidding me? Scraping the bottom of the barrel are we? November 23rd, 2007 at 12:28 pm
Brad Jasper

Mac Fanbody, I thought this was a great tip. A lot of switchers wouldn't realize something so subtle. November 23rd, 2007 at 7:08 pm
Mac Fanboy

Brad, you're right.. they might not realize it.. UNTIL THEY SAVE A FILE! Clicking an "X" as opposed to a "DOT" might raise a red flag. Considering most operating interfaces (i.e. ALL OF THEM) require you to click an X at some point or save a file at some point. How many dots does one have to click to realize that dot clicking results in "Changes have been made to this document, would you like to save?"

And you're right though.. i didn't realize this when i first switched to OSX. It did take me approximately 30 seconds to notice. I just would hope this site would have more insightful tips for mac users who have owned there macs for more than an afternoon. November 26th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
Omer Zach

Well "Mac Fanboy," what if you use "Command-W" to close all your windows? In that case, you would never even need to click the little red circle and might not notice as quickly. November 26th, 2007 at 5:51 pm
Brad Jasper

Mac Fanboy, I appreciate your criticism--but this tip just isn't geared towards users like you. It's geared towards recent switchers or OS X newbies--hence it being in the Easy Tips category.

MacTips has a very diverse audience, half of you are Mac pro's, the other half are brand new to Mac's. Satisfying both users is something I'm always trying to keep in check.

What is obvious to you and me is not obvious to other users, and vice-versa.

One thing I won't allow--however, is one group alienating the other group. There's enough room for everyone to learn something here without stepping on each others feet.

As Omer said, I almost exclusively close windows with Command+W, I find it much faster than clicking the red button--so it did take me a few months before I ever noticed this.

Again, I truly do appreciate the feedback. We're working on more intermediate and advanced tips to keep you experts entertained. Stay tuned. November 29th, 2007 at 3:10 am