An alias is a file that points to another item (such as a program, document, folder, or disk). When you open the alias, the original item that the alias points to opens. Aliases make it easy to find and open items and help you organize your files. You can also make aliases for shared disks.

An alias has the same icon as the original, but the icon has a small badge with an arrow (as shown below). The name of the alias (which you can change) appears in italics.

You can make more than one alias for an item. Aliases use very little disk space.

Note: When you delete an alias, the original is not deleted.

To make an alias of an item:

1	Select the icon of the item.
2	Open the File menu and choose Make Alias.

Tip: You can also make an alias by dragging the icon of an item while holding down the Option and Command keys.

To find the original of an alias:

1	Select the icon of the alias.
2	Open the File menu and choose Show Original.

Tip: If you're viewing an alias in Sherlock's search results list, you can also find the original by selecting the item and choosing Show Original from the File menu.

If the computer can't find the file an alias points to:
A dialog box appears that lets you search for the original file. Click Fix Alias to choose a new original.

To link an alias to a new original:

•	Select the alias, then open the File menu and choose Get Info. Click Select New Original in the Info window.

If a menu item is not available:

•	If you want to find the original of an alias or select a new original, make sure you've selected an alias icon.
•	You may need to turn the Simple Finder off (in the Finder's Preferences window, in the Edit menu). Turn off the Simple Finder for me.