How can I change the "kind" of a file extension that appears in Finder’s Kind column?

[jagooch]

While organizing the 15k markdown notes that I recently imported into Obsidian, I noticed that Finder show the “Kind” for “.md” extension files as “E-Book” , which is definitely wrong.

I did a few google searches and I didn’t find a useful answer among the results, most of which were from 2008 and 2011 time frame. Many mentioned editing the associated application’s Info.plist file, but I have serveral markdown editors installed, so would I have to edit the Info.plist for every application capable of editing markdown files? That seems a bit intense to me.

Is there practical way for the end user to change the “kind” that Finder displays for “.md” files in the “kind” column?

It should be “markdown” , but instead it is “e-book” as seen in this screenshot.

 

[joevt]

Select the md file, then select "Get Info" from the Finder's "File" menu. In the "Open with:" menu of the "Get Info" window, select the app that you want to use to open that file. Then click "Change All..." so that all documents with the .md file extension will open with that app.

 

[bogdanw]

I did a few google searches and I didn’t find a useful answer among the results, most of which were from 2008 and 2011 time frame.

Apple's updated documentation "Choose an app to open a file on Mac" https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/mh35597/mac

 

[jagooch]

Select the md file, then select "Get Info" from the Finder's "File" menu. In the "Open with:" menu of the "Get Info" window, select the app that you want to use to open that file. Then click "Change All..." so that all documents with the .md file extension will open with that app.

.md files open with the correct app. The problem is that Finder displays the wrong value in the “kind” field.

 

[sgtaylor5]

.md files open with the correct app. The problem is that Finder displays the wrong value in the “kind” field.

rebuild the Launch Services registry with

sudo /System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Versions/Current/Frameworks/LaunchServices.framework/Versions/Current/Support/lsregister -kill -r -domain local -domain system -domain user

https://superuser.com/questions/263311/on-os-x-how-do-you-change-a-files-kind

 

[bogdanw]

.md files open with the correct app. The problem is that Finder displays the wrong value in the “kind” field.

"Kind" is determined by the default app. Simply changing the default app should instantly change the kind value.
Example:

 

[jagooch]

"Kind" is determined by the default app. Simply changing the default app should instantly change the kind value.
Example:
View attachment 2465779

Well, it didn’t . Where did you read that? Link please.

 

[sgtaylor5]

Well, it didn’t . Where did you read that? Link please.

Did you run the command I posted earlier? That fixed my problems with Nisus Writer Pro.

 

[jagooch]

Well, it didn’t . Where did you read that? Link please.

Weird. After I nuked and paved my Macbook, changing the default app also changed the "kind"

Did you run the command I posted earlier? That fixed my problems with Nisus Writer Pro.

I tried the command and relaunched finder, it didn't change the "kind" for .md files.

Screenshot of fixed .md kind!

 

[Fishrrman]

Try the "RCDefault Apps" preference/settings pane:

Download RCDefaultApp for Mac | MacUpdate

Download the latest version of RCDefaultApp for Mac for free. Read 53 user reviews and compare with similar apps on MacUpdate.

www.macupdate.com

Small, free.
It's old. The last update seems to have been around 2009.
BUT... IT STILL WORKS. Even with Sequoia.

You can use it to set the app for specific file types as you want.
Try it and see...

 

[benwiggy]

There is a slightly newer replacement, written in Swift:

GitHub - Lord-Kamina/SwiftDefaultApps: Replacement for RCDefaultApps, written in Swift.

Replacement for RCDefaultApps, written in Swift. Contribute to Lord-Kamina/SwiftDefaultApps development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

 

[sgtaylor5]

Weird. After I nuked and paved my Macbook, changing the default app also changed the "kind"


I tried the command and relaunched finder, it didn't change the "kind" for .md files.
View attachment 2494907
Screenshot of fixed .md kind!

not "relaunch Finder"; "reboot" is the way to go. Sorry you had to rebuild your Mac.