10 Hacks to Revolutionize Your Preview Experience

Preview is an often-overlooked app that comes pre-installed on Macs, but it’s packed with features that can enhance your productivity and streamline your workflow. From editing images and PDFs to scanning documents and removing backgrounds, Preview is an incredibly versatile tool that deserves more attention. In this article, we’ll explore 10 hacks that can help you get the most out of Preview and take your Apple experience to the next level.

1. View Files Without Opening Them in Preview

One of the most convenient features of Preview is the ability to view files without opening them. This can be achieved by selecting the file and pressing the spacebar, which activates Quick Look. This feature allows you to quickly scan through files, images, and PDFs without having to open them separately. To close the preview, simply press the spacebar again. This hack is particularly useful for viewing images, PDFs, or checking the contents of a folder.

2. Use Preview’s Hidden PDF Dark Mode

Preview allows you to use a dark background for PDFs, which can be a game-changer for users who prefer a dark mode. To enable this feature, open a PDF in Preview, select View in the menu bar, and click Use Dark Appearance for PDF. This will switch the PDF to a dark background with white text, and Preview will remember your preferences for all PDFs that you open in the future. This feature also works in Preview for iPhone and iPad.

3. Edit Photos Without Saving Them to Your Mac

Preview allows you to open images directly from your clipboard, eliminating the need to save them to your Mac. To use this feature, copy an image to your Mac’s clipboard, open Preview, and press Command + N to open the image for editing. Alternatively, you can open Preview and select File > New from Clipboard. This hack is particularly useful for users who need to quickly edit images without having to save them to their Mac.

4. Remove Image Backgrounds with Ease

Preview can remove image backgrounds with ease, making it a great alternative to dedicated image editors. To use this feature, open an image in Preview and press Command + Shift + K. This will remove the background from the image, leaving you with a transparent or white background. You can also access this feature by clicking Tools > Remove Background from the menu bar or selecting Remove Background in the app’s toolbar.

5. Copy Text from Images and PDFs

Preview makes it easy to copy text from images and PDFs, even when the text is not selectable. To use this feature, open an image, screenshot, or PDF in Preview, move the cursor over the text, and double-click or drag the cursor over the text to select it. You can then copy and paste the text as needed. This feature works in Preview for iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

6. Turn Your iPhone into a Dedicated Document Scanner

Preview allows you to use your iPhone as a document scanner, making it easy to digitize paper documents. To use this feature, open the app and go to File > Import from iPhone > Scan Documents. As long as your iPhone and Mac are signed in to the same iCloud account, this will open the Camera app on the iPhone, automatically set to scan documents. Point the camera at a page, and your iPhone will automatically identify borders and scan the page. Once you’re done, the document is automatically imported into Preview for Mac, where you can edit the scan before saving it.

7. Reveal Your Image’s Metadata

Preview allows you to view metadata for images, including EXIF data, which can provide valuable information about the image’s capture settings and more. To view metadata, open an image in Preview and tap or click the i button in the app. On iPhone and iPad, this reveals a long list of all metadata for the photo. On Mac, you’ll see these details organized into two tabs. Click the i tab to view the rest of the metadata in Preview for Mac.

8. Combine Multiple PDF Pages into One Document

Preview is a great tool for combining multiple PDF pages into a single document, making it easy to merge multiple PDFs into a single file. To use this feature, open a PDF file in Preview, select the Thumbnails view, and click the + button in the bottom-left corner to add a new page. You can then select Insert Page from File… to combine multiple PDF pages into one document. In Preview for iPhone and iPad, you can swipe right from the left edge of the screen to show page thumbnails in a pane, and tap the three dots on any page to select Insert from File to combine pages from another PDF.

9. Digitally Sign Documents

Preview allows you to digitally sign documents, making it easy to sign contracts, agreements, and other documents without having to print and scan them. To use this feature, open the file in Preview, click Form Filling Toolbar, and select Add Signature to create your digital signature. You can then sign the document quickly and easily.

10. Password-Protect Your PDFs

Preview allows you to add or remove passwords from your PDFs, making it easy to protect sensitive documents. To add a password to your PDF, open the document in Preview, select File > Export, and click Permissions to add a password to open the document. You can also add an owner password to the file, which lets you stop people from editing, printing, or copying text from your PDFs without the password. To remove a password from a PDF file, open it in Preview on your Mac, and go to File > Enter Password.

By mastering these 10 hacks, you can unlock the full potential of Preview and take your Apple experience to the next level. From editing images and PDFs to scanning documents and removing backgrounds, Preview is an incredibly versatile tool that deserves more attention. Whether you’re a casual user or a power user, these hacks can help you get the most out of Preview and streamline your workflow.