Welcome to this article where we will guide you on how to set preview as default on mac. If you frequently use your Mac for work or personal use, you know how important it is to have the default settings set up according to your preferences. Having the preview as the default application for opening PDF files, for instance, can be very helpful in making your workflow more efficient and organized. If you are not familiar with how to set preview as default on mac, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
Steps:
Step 1: Locate your PDF file
Locate the PDF file that you want to make Preview the default program for.
Tip:
You can also right-click the PDF file to reveal more options to choose from.
Step 2: Right-click the PDF file
After locating the PDF file, right-click on it to bring out a drop-down menu. In the menu, select “Get Info”.
Tip:
You can also use the “command” + “I” shortcut key on your keyboard to get to the same place.
Step 3: Choose “Open with”
In the Information window that pops up, click on the arrow beside “Open with” to reveal more options.
Tip:
You can also see which application is currently set as the default for opening PDFs by looking at the “Open with” section.
Step 4: Select “Preview”
From the list of applications that appears, select “Preview”.
Tip:
You can check the box beside “Always Open With” to make Preview the default program for all PDF files.
Step 5: Click “Change All”
After selecting Preview, click on the “Change All” button to confirm the changes and make Preview the default application for all PDF files on your Mac.
Tip:
You may need to enter your admin password to confirm the changes.
Step 6: Close the “Get Info” window
Once you have made Preview the default application for all PDF files, close the “Get Info” window by clicking the “X” button in the top left corner.
Tip:
You can also press “command” + “W” on your keyboard to close the window.
Step 7: Open a PDF file
To test if the preview is now the default application for opening PDF files, double-click any PDF file on your Mac.
Tip:
If for some reason, the PDF file does not open in Preview, repeat the steps above to ensure you have made Preview the default application.
Step 8: Edit PDF files in Preview
If you need to edit PDF files, you can do this by opening them in Preview and using the available tools like adding annotations, text, or images.
Tip:
If you want to take it even further, you can use Preview to sign documents and merge PDF files.
Step 9: Save your changes
After making the necessary changes, save the document by clicking on “File” and selecting “Save”.
Tip:
Don’t forget to rename the file if need be, and consider adding new tags to it to keep it organized.
Step 10: Close the file
After saving the changes, close the file by clicking on “File” and selecting “Close”.
Tip:
If you have multiple files open, you can use “command” + “W” to close them all at once.
Step 11: Backup your files
It’s always a good idea to have a backup of your important files, including PDFs. You can do this by copying them to an external drive or using cloud storage.
Tip:
Consider using automatic backup applications to make the process more efficient.
Step 12: Organize your files
To keep your PDF files organized and easy to find, consider using appropriate file naming conventions, adding tags, and using folders.
Tip:
You can also use third-party applications to automate this process and make it even more efficient.
Explanation:
Now that you have followed the above steps to set preview as default on mac and learned some tips and tricks on how to edit and organize your PDF files, it’s worth noting that Preview is a powerful tool for much more than just viewing PDFs. You can also use this application to edit images, create new PDFs, and even sign documents. Additionally, Preview has several features that make it a great choice for Mac users. For instance, it’s built-in, so you don’t have to download or install anything, it’s fast, and it’s easy to use. All these reasons make Preview excellent for opening and editing PDF files.
Tips & Tricks:
Tip 1:
Consider using keyboard shortcuts to make your workflow even faster.
Tip 2:
You can use other applications like Adobe Acrobat Reader, but it’s associated with paying some costs.
Tip 3:
Use the highlight feature to draw attention to key parts of the document.
Tip 4:
Consider using Preview to create new PDFs by combining images and other documents.
Tip 5:
If you need to use other apps to edit your PDFs, you can use Preview to export your files to other formats like Word or RTF.
Tip 6:
Organize your files into folders for easy access and retrieval.
Tip 7:
As you work with files on your mac, consider using the file naming conventions that work best for you.
Tip 8:
If you have multiple PDFs that you need to work with simultaneously, consider using the split view feature in Preview.
Tip 9:
Consider using apps like Dropbox to keep PDFs synced across multiple devices.
Tip 10:
Make sure you keep your Mac updated to ensure that you have the latest Preview features and functionality.
In conclusion, if you are a Mac user, learning how to set Preview as default on Mac and the tips and tricks for working with PDF files should help you to work more efficiently and stay organized. With Preview, you can easily view, edit, and sign PDF files without having to download or install any additional software. You can also use Preview to manage your files, organize them, and access them from anywhere with an internet connection.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages of Setting Preview as Default on Mac
1. Easy and quick access to documents: Once you set Preview as the default application to open documents, you can easily and quickly access all the types of files that Preview supports without going through the task of selecting an application each time.
2. Reduced clutter in the system: Setting Preview as the default application for various file types reduces the number of applications installed on your Mac system. This means less clutter and more memory space.
3. Familiarity with a single application: If you use Preview as the default application, you become familiar with its user interface, and you can easily navigate through the application which can increase your productivity.
4. Improved file organization: With Preview set as the default application, all the files open in a separate window under the Preview application, reducing the number of windows you have to manage.
5. Better performance: Preview is a lightweight application and setting it as the default application can improve the performance of your Mac, reducing the time needed to open files.
Disadvantages of Setting Preview as Default on Mac
1. Limited functionality: Preview has limited editing tools, and you cannot perform advanced tasks like photo editing or document formatting. You may still need to have other applications installed for more comprehensive editing options.
2. Incompatibility with some applications: Some applications may not be compatible with Preview, and you may encounter difficulties in opening some types of files.
3. Limited file format support: Preview supports limited file formats. If you work with a lot of different file types, setting Preview as the default application may not be the best option.
4. Lack of control over system updates: If you have set Preview as the default application, and there is a system update that affects the application, you may lose control over updates and bug fixes related to the application.
5. File corruption: Setting Preview as the default application increases the risk of file corruption, as any damage to the application can affect the files opened using it.
FAQ
1. How do I set preview as default on mac?
To set Preview as the default app for opening certain file types, right-click on a file and select “Get Info.” From there, go to the “Open With” section, select Preview and click “Change All.”
2. Can I set Preview as the default app for all file types?
Yes, you can set Preview as the default app for all file types by going to “System Preferences” > “General” > “Open with” and selecting Preview from the dropdown menu.
3. Can I change the default app for a specific file type?
Yes, you can change the default app for a specific file type by following the steps in question 1 above and selecting a different app from the “Open With” section.
4. Is Preview the best app for viewing PDFs on a Mac?
Preview is a great app for viewing and editing PDFs on a Mac. It offers a wide range of tools for annotating, highlighting, and editing PDFs.
5. Can I view multiple pages of a PDF at once in Preview?
Yes, you can view multiple pages of a PDF at once in Preview by going to “View” > “Thumbnails” or by using the “Two Pages” or “Two Pages Continuous” view options.
6. Can I merge multiple PDFs into one in Preview?
Yes, you can merge multiple PDFs into one in Preview by opening all the PDFs you want to merge, selecting one of the PDFs and then dragging and dropping the other PDFs into the thumbnail sidebar.
7. Can I password-protect a PDF in Preview?
Yes, you can password-protect a PDF in Preview by going to “File” > “Export,” selecting “PDF” as the file format, and then checking the “Encrypt” box under the “Security Options” section.
8. How can I resize an image in Preview?
To resize an image in Preview, go to “Tools” > “Adjust Size” and enter the desired dimensions or percentage under the “Width” and “Height” options.
9. Can I crop an image in Preview?
Yes, you can crop an image in Preview by selecting the “Crop” tool from the toolbar, dragging the crop handles to the desired size, and then clicking “Crop.”
10. How can I rotate an image in Preview?
To rotate an image in Preview, go to “Tools” > “Rotate Left” or “Rotate Right.” You can also select the “Crop” tool and then use the rotation handle to rotate the image.
11. Can I convert an image file to a different format in Preview?
Yes, you can convert an image file to a different format in Preview by going to “File” > “Export” and selecting the desired format from the dropdown menu under the “Format” section.
12. Can I fill out a PDF form in Preview?
Yes, you can fill out a PDF form in Preview by selecting the “Text” tool from the toolbar and clicking on the form fields to enter your information.
13. How do I sign a PDF in Preview?
To sign a PDF in Preview, go to “Tools” > “Annotate” > “Signature” > “Manage Signatures” and follow the onscreen instructions to create a signature. You can then select the signature from the “Signature” dropdown menu and place it in the PDF.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Set Preview as Default on Mac
If you are a Mac user, you might be wondering how you can set a default application for opening certain files. This guide will show you how you can set Preview as your default application for opening images and PDFs. Preview is a built-in application that comes with your Mac, and it offers a wide range of features for editing and viewing images and PDF files. Follow these step-by-step instructions to learn how to set Preview as your default application on your Mac.
Conclusion and Closing
In conclusion, setting Preview as your default application for opening images and PDFs on your Mac is an easy process that you can complete in a few simple steps. Preview is an excellent application that comes with your Mac, and it is versatile, user-friendly, and comes with exciting features for editing and viewing images and PDF files. By setting Preview as your default application, all your images and PDF files will open automatically in Preview, saving you time and making your workflow more efficient.
We hope that this guide has been helpful and informative for you. If you encounter any challenges during the process of setting Preview as your default application, feel free to reach out to us, and we will be happy to assist you. Thank you for taking the time to read this guide, and we wish you all the best as you enjoy using Preview as your default application on your Mac system. Goodbye, and happy computing!