MacOS – Using tab key to advance to next file in Finder for numerically ordered files

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I have a directory of files named like:

it(0).png
it(1).png
it(2).png
...
it(10).png
it(11).png
...

In Finder my directory is arranged by Name and the files are in correct numerical order. I like to use space preview to view the files, then I press Tab to advance, but the selection advances in alphabetical (ASCII?) order rather than numeric:

it(0).jpg -> 1 -> 10 -> ... -> 19 -> 2 -> 21 -> ...

Is there a way to advance in the numeric order that Finder displays the files in? I am on OS X Mavericks 10.9.3

To reproduce run this in Terminal.app

mkdir /tmp/alphanum && for i in {0..29}; do touch /tmp/alphanum/$i; done && open /tmp/alphanum

Select the first item and press Tab to advance.

Best Answer

So long as they are all named following the same format (test1.jpg, test2.jpg etc.) you'll get the behavior you're looking for. tab will advance you alphabetically. Down will advance you now the list in the order the files are currently displayed in the finder window.

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