The Preview app is a built-in macOS application that comes pre-installed on your MacBook Pro, meaning it's always available to you for viewing and editing images and PDF documents.
Finding and Opening the Preview App on Your MacBook Pro
There are several straightforward ways to locate and open the Preview app on your MacBook Pro:
1. Using Spotlight Search (The Quickest Method)
One of the easiest and most efficient ways to open Preview is by using Spotlight Search:
- Hold down the
Commandkey and then press theSpacebar. This will bring up the Spotlight search bar in the middle of your screen. - Type "Preview" into the search bar.
- Press
Enter(orReturn) when "Preview.app" appears as the top result.
2. Through the Applications Folder
All your installed applications, including Preview, reside in the Applications folder:
- Open a new Finder window.
- In the sidebar on the left, click on Applications.
- Scroll through the list to find and double-click the Preview app icon.
3. Via Launchpad
Launchpad provides a full-screen view of all your applications:
- Click the Launchpad icon in your Dock (it looks like a rocket ship).
- Use the search bar at the top or swipe through the pages to find the Preview app.
- Click its icon to open it.
4. From the Dock
If you use Preview frequently, it might already be in your Dock for quick access:
- Look at the row of icons at the bottom (or side) of your screen, known as the Dock.
- If the Preview icon is there, simply click it to open the app.
- Tip: If it's not in your Dock and you want it there, drag the Preview app icon from the Applications folder (see method 2) into your Dock.
5. Opening a File Directly with Preview
Most commonly, you'll open Preview implicitly by opening a compatible file type:
- Double-click on any image file (like
.jpg,.png,.gif) or a PDF document on your Mac. - By default, macOS is set to open these file types using the Preview app.
What is the Preview App Used For?
Preview is a versatile tool for more than just viewing. You can use it to:
- View images and PDF documents.
- Edit images by cropping, rotating, resizing, and making basic color adjustments.
- Annotate PDFs and images by adding text, shapes, highlights, and notes.
- Sign PDF documents digitally using your trackpad or camera.
- Combine multiple PDF files into a single document.
For more detailed information on its features, you can refer to Apple's official support documentation on Preview.
