How to Use the Preview App for PDFs and Images

Preview is a built-in application on macOS that allows you to view, modify, and annotate PDFs and images. Whether you need to open a PDF document, crop an image, or add annotations to your files, Preview makes it easy to perform these tasks without the need for additional software. In this tutorial, we will walk you through the essential features of Preview and how to utilize them effectively.

Table of Contents

1. Opening PDFs and Images
2. Basic Navigation and Viewing Options
3. Editing and Annotating PDFs
4. Editing and Annotating Images
5. Exporting and Sharing Files

1. Opening PDFs and Images

To open a PDF or image file with Preview, follow these steps:

1. Locate the PDF or image file on your macOS device.
2. Double-click on the file to open it with Preview. Alternatively, you can right-click on the file, select "Open With," and choose "Preview" from the menu.

2. Basic Navigation and Viewing Options

Once your PDF or image file is open in Preview, you can navigate and view it using the following options:

• Scrolling: Use the scroll bar, arrow keys, or trackpad gestures to scroll through the document or image.
• Zooming In and Out: To zoom in, use the "Command + Plus" (+) keyboard shortcut. To zoom out, use the "Command + Minus" (-) keyboard shortcut.
• Fit to Screen: Click on the "View" tab in the menu bar, and select "Fit to Screen" to adjust the zoom level to fit the entire document or image on your screen.
• Viewing Thumbnails: Click on the "Sidebar" button in the toolbar to display a thumbnail view of the pages or images within the file.
• Full-Screen Mode: Click on the green maximize button in the top-left corner of the window or use the "Command + Control + F" keyboard shortcut to switch to full-screen mode.

3. Editing and Annotating PDFs

Preview offers a range of editing and annotation tools specifically designed for PDF files. Here's how you can utilize these features:

• Adding Text: Click on the "Show Markup Toolbar" button in the toolbar, then click on the "Text" button to add a text box. Type your desired text and adjust the font style, size, and color using the options in the toolbar.
• Highlighting and Underlining Text: Select the desired text, click on the "Show Markup Toolbar" button, and choose the highlight or underline tool from the toolbar to annotate the text.
• Adding Shapes and Lines: Click on the "Show Markup Toolbar" button, then choose the desired shape or line tool from the toolbar to draw shapes or lines on the document.
• Inserting and Removing Pages: Go to the "View" tab in the menu bar, click on "Thumbnails," and drag and drop PDF pages to rearrange them. To remove a page, right-click on the thumbnail and select "Delete" from the menu.
• Rotating and Cropping Pages: Go to the "Tools" tab in the menu bar, click on "Rotate Left" or "Rotate Right" to adjust the orientation of a page. To crop a page, select the crop tool from the toolbar, adjust the selection box, and click on "Crop" in the toolbar.

4. Editing and Annotating Images

Preview also provides basic editing tools for images, allowing you to make adjustments or add annotations. Here's how to use these features:

• Adjusting Image Properties: Go to the "Tools" tab in the menu bar and select "Adjust Color," "Adjust Size," or "Adjust Exposure" to modify various aspects of the image.
• Cropping or Resizing Images: Select the crop tool from the toolbar, adjust the selection box around the area you want to keep, and click on "Crop" in the toolbar. To resize an image, go to the "Tools" tab, click on "Adjust Size," and specify the desired dimensions.
• Adding Text or Shapes: Click on the "Show Markup Toolbar" button, then select the text or shape tool from the toolbar to annotate the image with text or shapes.
• Applying Filters: In the "Tools" tab, select "Instant Alpha" to remove a background, or choose "Adjust Color" and click on the "Filters" tab to apply various image filters.

5. Exporting and Sharing Files

Once you have made the necessary modifications to your PDF or image file, you can export or share it by following these steps:

1. Click on "File" in the menu bar and select "Export" to save the file in a different format or location.
2. Choose the desired format (PDF, JPEG, PNG, etc.), specify the destination folder, and click on "Save."
3. If you want to share the file directly, click on "File" and select "Share." Choose the preferred sharing option, such as email or Messages, and follow the on-screen instructions to send the file.

That's it! You are now equipped with the knowledge to use the Preview app for PDFs and images efficiently. Feel free to explore further and experiment with the available tools and features to enhance your PDFs and images with annotations, edits, and more!