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How do I associate a file with an application?

I recently backed up my files on USB flash drive for my iMac computer. I had to get system updated. My tech support reformatted drive and put system 10.2.2 on my computer . I went to load my files back onto computer and all files as listed now as UNIX files.

The original programs were loaded back on computer: Appleworks 6 and Quicken 2000, but the applications don't recognize their own files now. I was told that I had to add an extention to each file so it could be recognized by each program . This is 5 years of files and I am not feeling good about this whole mess. Is there any hope to get these files attached back to their programs/ applications?

Dave's Answer:

You're seeing a pretty general category of problem with the Mac (and any computer that associates file types with specific applications, actually) where a particularly type of file has lost its association with the parent program. Sometimes the fix is as easy as reinstalling the program, but often that doesn't do the trick.

Instead, here's how you can fix it more permanently: first off, find a file that is associated with the wrong program (or not associated with any program at all). Click on it, but don't double-click it, so you're still in the Finder, just with that icon highlighted.

Choose Show Info from the File menu and you'll see this:

Notice that one of the panes that I've opened is called "Open With". That's the key. Open that (click the tiny triangle next to the words) then select the application you want to associate with the file.

Once you've done that, make sure you also click on the button labeled "Change All..." and you should have everything fixed up!

Hope that helps you out.

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Categorized: Mac OS X Help (Article 5238)
Tagged: appleworks, mac os x, quicken
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Comments

How can I associate a folder to an application? (As opposed to a file). For example I want to have the DVD player open folders that are VIDEO_TS folders and play them. I've created a osascript to do this but I'm not sure how to hook up the association between the folder and the script.

Any ideas?

Posted by: Peter Davison at May 1, 2008 9:55 AM

Many thanks for this post. I'm a lifer PC guy, now trying out developing on a mac (work decision) and this saved me.

Posted by: NooRotic at March 5, 2009 1:37 PM

Thank you!! I've been trying to figure this out on my own for weeks!

Posted by: Jason at August 13, 2009 8:47 PM

I have the reverse problem...I need to un-associate a program ....I was trying to load a program and messed up the association. How can I undo this...I am using a MAC and running Leopard.

Posted by: Sue Moore at September 28, 2009 2:43 PM

Sue, you "unassociate" a file type with a program by associating it with the correct application instead. Use the steps above, that should be a breeze...

Posted by: Dave Taylor at September 28, 2009 3:15 PM

i have aMSN application and when i click on my inbox unread emails it should open up a new tab in safari and go to my windows live email. instead it opens up in textedit as a plain document called hotlog.htm...... i have tried the steps above, i see all the tabs except for "open with"....... is there any way anyone could help me with this problem? thanks...

Posted by: Esoo at October 15, 2009 8:15 PM

everytime i try to click on a link to someone's email so that it goes directly to sending them one it gives me a i do not have email program error and tells me to associate a program. i run windows 7 on an hp. any help would be appreciated?

Posted by: jacob green at December 9, 2009 1:12 PM

I have something to say, now that you mention it, but ...

I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you for all your efforts on this Web site by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!