Table of Contents
Combining Documents and Images
Combining documents and images in Preview is a straightforward process that enhances your productivity when handling multiple files. You can work efficiently with different types of documents, whether it's merging multiple PDFs into one or inserting an image into a PDF file.
Use Thumbnails to Manage and Combine PDF Pages or Images
By turning on the document thumbnails, which can be accessed by clicking the menu button on the left of the toolbar and selecting Thumbnails, users gain a convenient way to manage their documents. Thumbnails provide a visual representation of the pages, making it easier to rearrange, add, or delete specific parts of a PDF. This visual approach helps in organizing the document structure before combining them into one cohesive file.
Drag and Drop to Merge Documents Together
The drag-and-drop functionality in Preview simplifies the combination process. Simply drag one or more thumbnails from one document to another to merge them. This feature not only works with multiple PDF pages but also allows you to integrate images into your documents. You can add a page or image to a specific location within the document, ensuring that the merged file meets your exact requirements. Once you've arranged everything to your preference, saving or closing the document will bundle all the pages together in one file.
Filling Out and Signing PDF Forms
With macOS Sonoma, Preview streamlines the process of filling out and signing PDF forms. This functionality enhances user experience by allowing for quick text entry and digital signature creation, making form handling more efficient.
Utilize the Form Button for Easy Text Entry
When opening a PDF form in Preview, the Form button—located to the right of the search button—activates fields for text entry. Users can easily click on a text box or blank line, input their information, and press Tab to move to the next field. This feature allows for rapid completion of forms without the need for manual text box creation.
Create a Digital Signature Using Trackpad, iPhone, or Camera
To sign a document, users can select the Signature button and choose the Create Signature option. Although drawing a signature with a finger on a trackpad or iPhone is possible, it can be challenging to achieve a satisfying result. A recommended method is using the Camera option, where one signs on a white piece of paper and holds it up to the Mac’s camera for scanning. This tends to capture the most authentic representation of one’s actual signature.
Add the Signature to the Document and Adjust the Size
Once a digital signature is created, it can be dragged onto the signature line of a document. Users have the ability to resize and position it appropriately, ensuring that it fits naturally into the form. With these tools at their disposal, users can give their documents a professional and legally-binding touch without needing to print and scan signed forms.
Redacting Private Information
The Preview application on Mac offers a secure way to redact confidential or sensitive information from your documents. This essential privacy feature ensures that redacted content is permanently removed and cannot be recovered or exposed.
Use the Redact Tool to Permanently Delete Content
To redact information in Preview, users can click on the icon resembling a black box — the Redact tool. This tool is designed to obliterate the underlying content in the document, effectively ensuring that the information cannot be retrieved or viewed after redaction. It is an efficient way to prevent sensitive information from being disclosed.
Drag Over Text or Create Redaction Rectangles on the Document
The Redact tool allows for two primary methods of redaction. For text, users can click and drag over the portion they wish to redact, which will cover the selected text with a black overlay. For other items, such as images or non-textual elements, one can click and drag to create a redaction rectangle anywhere within the document. These edits can be adjusted for as long as the document remains open. However, once the document is closed, the redaction is finalized, and all covered content is permanently removed.
Editing Pictures in Preview
Preview not only excels as a PDF tool but also harbors powerful features for editing images. Users can quickly open, enhance, and manipulate photos with an array of editing functions available within the application.
Open Images from the Clipboard Using File > New from Clipboard
If you've copied an image from the web or another source, Preview offers a quick way to open and save it. By selecting File > New from Clipboard or using the shortcut ⌘N, the image from the clipboard is instantly opened in Preview, facilitating easy storage or further editing.
Markup Toolbar Features for Sketching, Shaping, Adjusting Colors, and Resizing
The Markup toolbar in Preview, activated by clicking the pen icon, comes with comprehensive editing tools. These tools include various selection capabilities, Sketch for freehand drawing that recognizes shapes and arrows, Shapes for inserting predefined geometric forms, and Text for adding text boxes. Additionally, users can adjust image color brightness, saturation, and resolution with Adjust Color and Adjust Size functions. Shape Style provides customization options such as line thickness, texture, and shadows, while Text Style fine-tunes text fonts, colors, and alignment. The Image Description feature allows users to add alternative text to images, enhancing accessibility.
Background Removal with Tools > Remove Background
For users needing to separate a subject from its background, Preview simplifies this process. By selecting Tools > Remove Background or using the keyboard shortcut ⇧⌘K, the application attempts to isolate and extract the main subject of an image. Although it may not produce perfect edges, especially if the original image lacks crisp resolutions, this tool offers a swift solution for those in need of a quick background removal.
