Feature: Add TreeView

[rc1]

Important

Please note, this GitHub issue is keeping track of two separate but related features. A Tree View sidebar, and a Tree View layout. Both are features we're planning to implement, but they are currently blocked until we make further gains in the performance area. Please see #1928 (comment). We encourage the community to contribute performance enhancements, which, aside from the obvious benefits, will also enable us to proceed with these features.

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.

Typically, I work in a project folder. That folder might have multiple sub folders like: images, src, prints, presentations. With Windows Explorer and Files, I must keep navigating in and out of folders. I want a view of all my files and folders in one view. Much like how VS Code's 'Explorer' handles files display and navigation, or how Mac's Finder handles.

Describe the solution you'd like

In list view, I'd like a tree navigation component for files allowing me to expand a folder to list is child files and folders (which can be expanded too)

Describe alternatives you've considered
None. I've tried for years now without this feature on Windows. Still miss it sorely from Mac.

Additional context
There is discussion on Reddit where someone looks for this feature on Windows.

Here is a found image of Finder on Mac.

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[mdtauk]

In case this is looked at again, here is a mock-up for how it could be implemented

The drop down would allow the picking of a drive

[ghost]

-treeview in sidebar helps to quickly move files b/w folders.
-helps with quick navigation like if i am in X folder and want to open Z folder without the need to open a new tab or dual pane (as dual-pane will take screen space)
-also if needed can perform actions like open in new window or open in new tab or in 2nd pane or open terminal in a certain folder from the sidebar
-if we only have sidebar support then we will have to pin a folder for quick action and it will clutter the sidebar

[mdtauk]

Despite my previous mockup showing a TreeView alongside the Sidebar, toggling between the two would work better, with only the favourites being shared between both options.

[firefinchdev]

UI mockups are fine, but I am more concerned about the UX.
In macos, once you open Finder (in tree view), you can basically navigate only using keyboard. In the UI mockups above, if I need to change my current drive (C:, D:), that needs to be done using mouse (or maybe some non-so-easy-to-run keyboard shortcut combination).

In case of macos, open Finder, press "Down" key, and now file selector(Highlighted in blue) appears. You can select any drive.
Once you are on some drive(highlighted blue), you can press "Right" key to expand the contents. This entire UX makes it very easy and fast to navigate.

We can have similar experience in Community Files.

In screenshots below, grey icons represents different drives (C:, D: in case of Windows)

[Space-Cadet0]

This is the top missing feature for me as I navigate using the keyboard a lot

[mileyvirus]

I think it should be clarified wether this issue is asking for:

1. macOS Finder style list view with expand/collapse disclosure triangles
2. Windows Explorer style sidebar tree

Personally I'd much rather have the macOS Finder style view but I still think it would be better to split the issue to clarify which one has more interest.

[firefinchdev]

I would prefer macos finder style

[Space-Cadet0]

Agreed, Marcos finder tree view is better.
(The UX of windows explorer of tree view in the side bar is not good.)

[rc1]

The spirit of this issue was to have a tree view of files and directories as macOS does. Not a tree view of directories. I agree that it's two separate issues.

Am I alone in thinking this is a killer feature. I'd never not use it on macOS. Strange it's missing from the windows eco-system. I wonder why that is.

[yaira2]

I think it should be clarified wether this issue is asking for:

1. macOS Finder style list view with expand/collapse disclosure triangles
2. Windows Explorer style sidebar tree

Personally I'd much rather have the macOS Finder style view but I still think it would be better to split the issue to clarify which one has more interest.

@mileyvirus the plan for Files is to add a tree view layout similar to the one in Finder.

[guategeek]

I have been wanting this on Windows ever since I had to leave Mac OS. So I add my vote for a Mac OS style tree view.

[charlau]

That's the only thing preventing me from being in love with Files. For me, it's really a deal breaker. Any timeline for an implementation?

[mileyvirus]

That's the only thing preventing me from being in love with Files. For me, it's really a deal breaker. Any timeline for an implementation?

@charlau I'm not a contributor but 8 days ago @yaichenbaum - the lead dev - moved this issue from the To do list to the Backlog list so I don't think they plan to work on it for some time, correct me if I'm wrong.

Maybe there's a way to sponsor this issue in particular to push its priority up? Is there, @yaichenbaum?

[yaira2]

@mileyvirus I only put it in the todo column to remind myself to give an update on the issue but by all means, if someone wants to work on this or help sponsor the project, we can try working on the feature quicker.

[InteXX]

@akienm

That's a good argument for making it optional.

FWIW, I also dislike TreeView columns. A dedicated TreeView in its own pane is best, IMO.

Again, these various configurations can all be made optional, a la WinSCP.

[SgtSweetieBelle]

what are treeview columns

[0x5bfa]

Looks like you all have spent a lot of time on Apples.

This app is available only on Windows. Also, we're still gathering feedback.

[InteXX]

@0x5bfa

Looks like you all have spent a lot of time on Apples.

This app is available only on Windows

I was wondering about that myself. I think what @akienm was referring to was apples with regard to trees (TreeView). I think.

@SgtSweetieBelle TreeView Columns look like this:

[AleMello]

By "spending a lot of time on Apples", I understood he means there's a lot of (great) features in FilesApp that we see in MacOS Finder. Spring loaded folders, labels and other. That's the main reason I'm using FilesApp: moving from MacOS wouldn't be possible if I didn't have an alternative to crap-FileExplorer.

[cholzer79]

Honstly I dont get why Files does not have an expandable tree..... this is such a basic and essential feature especially if the devs want to get people to switch away from the Windows Explorer.
This is really the only reason why I wont switch.

[ZMYaro]

@mbartlett21 If the answer is, “This is outside the scope of features I expect/intend to add to this project,” you can say that without being so aggressively condescending.

[Fefedu973]

Which is obviously not outside from the scope of the project

[Josh65-2201]

Honstly I dont get why Files does not have an expandable tree..... this is such a basic and essential feature especially if the devs
want to get people to switch away from the Windows Explorer.
This is really the only reason why I wont switch.#

It's not easy to add, see here #1928 (comment)

[Josh65-2201]

@mbartlett21 Don't be hostile to people, it doesn't help anyone.

[DraTeots]

Absence of this feature is a showstopper for my workflow. Sometimes I need to rearrange files from one crowded folder to folders tree and you can't do this if there is not... tree.

[SgtSweetieBelle]

@0x5bfa

@SgtSweetieBelle TreeView Columns look like this:

...ok so @akienm and @InteXX are specifically referring to these things?

and they'd prefer to have just this by itself?

in which case i'm struggling to understand. not having those columns would be a huge downgrade. i'm relatively certain they're talking about something else.

[Josh65-2201]

This isn't related to showing the columns of information. It about expanding folders in a tree like view rather then only showing one of the folder at a time like the current details layout does.

[SgtSweetieBelle]

right, i'm just struggling to understand what @InteXX and @akienm are referring to when they say "i don't like TreeView with columns". in @akienm's post in particular, they say:

spent a few mins just trying files after some good reviews online

which implies that the complaint that follows:

I hate the way they put the tree view into columns.

is referring to a feature in the Files app as it is right now. and since it doesn't have treeview in either the sidebar or the content pane, it makes me think they're referring to the literal actual column view:

@akienm @InteXX you're welcome to confirm if you've got the chance

i'm gonna be honest, i think this discussion has gotten super confusing because the terminology isn't standardized, and "treeview" means different things to different people, so sometimes it's hard to know exactly what folks are referring to.

[InteXX]

@SgtSweetieBelle

and they'd prefer to have just this by itself?

Well, not quite ALL by itself...

In my preference (completely subjective, mind you) the columns would be in a separate pane to the right. That's how Microsoft does it now with File Explorer—a TreeView control in the left pane and a ListView control in the right.

That's just me. Others would like to see something different.

this discussion has gotten super confusing because the terminology isn't standardized, and "treeview" means different things to different people

Ayup. Everyone has his own idea.

A solution to this mess might be for the authors to cull the main style requests from this thread, prototype them and gather feedback.

And there's no rule that says there has to be only a single implementation in the final cut. Granted it'd be more work to present several choices in a Settings/Options page, but hey... Files remains the superior product, right? It's worth fighting for.

In any case, whatever the style decision outcome, my earlier suggestion still applies:

#1928 (comment)

[Space-Cadet0]

Just checking in on this issue and, once again, the discussion seems to have become confused.

Clearly different people have different preferences, but the comments with the most positive reactions seem to be an ask for a MacOS / Linux Dolphin style contentpane tree view as opposed to placing the tree view in the side bar.

This comment (which I would encourage all to read) does well to explain the benefits of a tree view in the contentpane vs the sidebar:
#1928 (comment)

[schoenid]

Found there the explanation:

Having a static sidebar and a treeview content pane gives them both very clear roles:

• sidebar = toplevel nav
• contentpane = sublevel nav

But if you introduce expanding folders in the sidebar, it stops being that. Both sidebar and contentpane become sublevel nav. which is redundant, splits the functionality unnecessarily, and almost completely removes toplevel nav.

Let's break it down to a simpler message:

• sidebar = orientation for the actual position in filesystems (workspace)
• contentpane = overview for elements in it (workplace)

If there is only a contentpane, it happens often to me, that I'm hopelessly lost in space, because I lost the orientation and have no help to get it back.

[DraTeots]

That is a great distinction and separation of responsibilities

[InteXX]

This cacophony of competing opinions (all valid) leaves it clear that the only viable solution is a user preference setting.

This of course would increase the workload on the dev team, so we may not be fortunate enough to see it come to pass.

Time will tell.

[Josh65-2201]

Please read the important notice at the top of this request, Both a sidebar and layout are planned to be added.

[InteXX]

@Josh65-2201

the important notice at the top of this request

Thank you, I'd missed that earlier. That's good news.