How to Print a List of Files in a Folder (Windows, Mac, Linux)

Below are five methods, from fastest to most detailed. Pick the one that matches what you need on paper: names only, full paths, or a spreadsheet with sizes and dates.

Method 1: Command Prompt (Windows 10 and 11)

This is the quickest way to print a list of files and needs nothing installed.

1. Open the folder in File Explorer.
2. Click the address bar, type cmd, and press Enter. Command Prompt opens already pointed at that folder.
3. Run one of the commands below.

:: File and folder names only
dir /b > filelist.txt

:: Files only, no subfolder names
dir /b /a-d > filelist.txt

:: Include every subfolder (full paths)
dir /b /s /a-d > filelist.txt

:: Names with dates and sizes
dir > filelist.txt

:: Print the list on the default printer
notepad /p filelist.txt

> sends the output into filelist.txt inside the same folder. Because the file is created before dir runs, filelist.txt itself appears in the list; delete that line or write the file elsewhere, for example dir /b > %USERPROFILE%\Desktop\filelist.txt.

To copy the names straight to the clipboard instead of a file, run dir /b | clip and paste into Word, Excel, or an email.

Method 2: Copy File Names From File Explorer

If you would rather not open a command window, File Explorer can copy the paths for you.

1. Open the folder and press Ctrl+A to select everything.
2. Windows 11: press Ctrl+Shift+C, or right-click and choose Copy as path. Windows 10: hold Shift, right-click, and choose Copy as path.
3. Paste into Notepad, Word, or Excel and print.

Each line is the full path wrapped in quotes, such as "C:\Invoices\2026-03.pdf". To keep just the names, use Find and Replace: replace " with nothing, then replace C:\Invoices\ with nothing.

Method 3: PowerShell to a CSV You Can Open in Excel

When you need sizes and dates in separate columns, PowerShell writes a CSV that Excel opens directly. Open the folder, type powershell in the address bar, press Enter, and run:

# This folder only
Get-ChildItem -File |
  Select-Object Name, Length, LastWriteTime |
  Export-Csv -Path "$HOME\Desktop\filelist.csv" -NoTypeInformation

# Include subfolders, with full paths
Get-ChildItem -File -Recurse |
  Select-Object FullName, Length, LastWriteTime |
  Export-Csv -Path "$HOME\Desktop\filelist.csv" -NoTypeInformation

# Names only, straight to the clipboard
Get-ChildItem -Name | Set-Clipboard

Length is the size in bytes. Writing the CSV to the Desktop keeps it out of the list itself.

Method 4: Excel's From Folder (No Commands)

Excel for Windows (2016 and later, including Microsoft 365) can read a folder on its own:

1. Go to Data > Get Data > From File > From Folder and pick the folder.
2. Choose Transform Data. Power Query shows one row per file, including files in subfolders, with Name, Extension, Date modified, Date created, and Folder Path.
3. Right-click the Content column and remove it, then click Close & Load.

The result is a normal Excel table you can sort, filter, and print. Click Refresh later to update it after files change. Got a list with repeats in it? Our free spreadsheet duplicate finder highlights repeated file names in a CSV or Excel file.

Method 5: Mac (Finder or Terminal)

Finder and TextEdit

1. Open the folder in Finder, press Command+A, then Command+C.
2. Open TextEdit, choose Format > Make Plain Text, and press Command+V. The file names paste one per line.
3. Press Command+P to print.

Terminal

cd ~/Documents/Invoices

# Names, one per line
ls -1 > ~/Desktop/filelist.txt

# Every file in every subfolder
find . -type f > ~/Desktop/filelist.txt

# Print it
lpr ~/Desktop/filelist.txt

# Or copy names to the clipboard
ls -1 | pbcopy

Tip: type cd and drag the folder from Finder into the Terminal window to paste its path.

Linux

The Mac Terminal commands work the same way. Add sizes and dates with ls -l:

ls -1 > filelist.txt          # names only
ls -lh > filelist.txt         # sizes and dates
find /path/to/folder -type f > filelist.txt   # recursive
lpr filelist.txt              # print (CUPS)

When a Printed List Isn't Enough

Most people print a folder list to check something: that every invoice is there, that a hand-off to a client is complete, or that a copy to a new drive didn't miss anything. A list of names can't tell you whether a file with the right name is the right file. Two files can share a name and size and still differ inside, and a copy can be cut short or corrupted without the name changing.

That is what a folder manifest is for. FolderManifest scans a folder on Windows 10/11, macOS, or Linux and records every file with its path, size, dates, and a SHA-256 hash, then exports the list as HTML, CSV, or Markdown you can print or share. Later you can verify another copy, or the same folder a month on, against that manifest and see exactly which files were added, removed, or changed.

Comparing two folders right now? Follow our guide to comparing two folders on Windows, or read more about what goes into a folder manifest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Continue Learning

• How to Compare Two Folders on Windows →
• Folder Integrity Manifest Guide →
• How to Detect File Changes in a Folder →