Quick Look lets you preview a file on a Mac without opening it in its full application. In Finder, select a file and press the Space bar. A preview window appears with the file’s contents, basic information, and—when supported—tools for actions such as marking up documents, rotating images, or trimming audio and video.
Quick Look is useful for checking photos, PDFs, documents, videos, audio files, and more before opening or moving them.
Quick Answer: Preview a File with Quick Look
- Open Finder.
- Browse to the file you want to inspect.
- Click the file once to select it.
- Press the Space bar.
- Press the Space bar again or click the Close button to close the preview.
You can also select a file in Finder and choose View > Show Preview to display a preview in the Finder window.
What Is Quick Look?
Quick Look is a macOS feature that displays a file’s contents without launching the app associated with that file type. For example, you can preview a PDF without opening Preview, view a photo without opening Photos, or watch a video without opening a media player.
The preview may also show details such as:
- File name
- File type
- File size
- Creation or modification date
- Image dimensions
- Video duration
- Document page count
The available information and controls depend on the file type and the apps installed on your Mac.
Quick Look does not normally edit the original file simply because you preview it. However, some Quick Look tools can modify the file, so review any changes before saving.
How to Preview Files in Finder
The Space bar is the fastest way to use Quick Look.
- Open Finder from the Dock.
- Select a file without opening it. A single click is enough.
- Press the Space bar.
- Review the file in the Quick Look window.
- Press the Space bar again, press the Esc key, or click the Close button to exit.
You can select files in many Finder locations, including:
- Desktop
- Downloads
- Documents
- External drives
- Network locations
- iCloud Drive folders shown in Finder
If the file opens instead of previewing, you probably double-clicked it. Select the file with one click, then press the Space bar.
Resize the Quick Look Window
Drag the edges or corners of the Quick Look window to make it larger or smaller. You can also click the green Full Screen button if it is available.
The controls shown at the top of the window may change when you resize it or select a different type of file.
Move Between Files
When previewing a file, use the Previous and Next buttons in the Quick Look window to move through nearby files in the same Finder location. On some Macs, you can also use the Left Arrow and Right Arrow keys.
This is particularly useful when reviewing a folder of images or documents without opening each item separately.
Preview Multiple Files at Once
Quick Look can display a collection of selected files in one window.
- Open Finder.
- Select several files by holding the Command key while clicking each file.
- Press the Space bar.
- Use the navigation controls to move between the selected files.
You can also select a range of files by clicking the first file, holding the Shift key, and clicking the last file in the range.
When multiple files are selected, Quick Look may show a file browser or a grid of thumbnails. Select a thumbnail to view that file. The exact layout depends on the file types and the current Finder view.
Preview an Entire Folder
To inspect the contents of a folder, select the folder and press the Space bar. Quick Look may display a summary of the folder, including its name and item count. It does not always show every item inside the folder as a browsable preview.
For a more useful file-by-file review, open the folder in Finder and select the files you want to inspect.
Use Quick Look Markup Tools
Quick Look can provide Markup tools for supported file types, including many PDFs and images. Markup lets you add annotations such as text, shapes, arrows, signatures, and drawings.
To use Markup:
- Select an image or PDF in Finder.
- Press the Space bar.
- Click the Markup button, which may look like a pen tip.
- Choose a tool, such as:
– Sketch or Draw
– Shapes
– Text
– Sign
– Add Note
– Crop, when available - Add your annotations.
- Click Done when you finish.
The available tools depend on the file format. A PDF may offer more annotation options than an image, and some files may not support Markup at all.
Important: Markup Can Change the File
Before clicking Done, check whether you want to save the changes to the original file. Markup can modify the file you are previewing. If the original is important, create a duplicate first:
- Select the file in Finder.
- Choose File > Duplicate.
- Preview and mark up the duplicate.
You can also use File > Make a Copy in an app that supports that command. If you are working with a document that has unsaved changes in another app, save or duplicate it before using editing tools.
Rotate an Image
Quick Look may include a Rotate Left button for images. To rotate an image:
- Select the image in Finder.
- Press the Space bar.
- Click Rotate Left as needed.
Rotation may affect the original file. If you need to preserve the original orientation, duplicate the image before rotating it.
You can also rotate images in the Preview app, where the command is available under Tools > Rotate Left or Tools > Rotate Right, depending on the file and app controls.
Trim Audio and Video with Quick Look
Quick Look can provide trimming controls for supported audio and video files. Trimming removes the portion before or after the section you keep.
To trim a supported media file:
- Select the audio or video file in Finder.
- Press the Space bar.
- Click the Trim button, if it appears.
- Drag the handles at the beginning and end of the timeline to select the portion to keep.
- Play the selection to confirm it is correct.
- Click Done or the equivalent save control.
Warning: Trimming Can Replace or Modify the Original
Do not save a trim operation over the original if you may need the full recording. Make a duplicate before trimming:
- Select the media file in Finder.
- Choose File > Duplicate.
- Open the duplicate with Quick Look.
- Trim and save the duplicate.
The exact trim controls and save behavior can vary by file type. If Quick Look does not offer trimming, open the file in an appropriate app such as QuickTime Player or iMovie.
View File Information with Quick Look
Quick Look is useful when you need to identify a file without opening it. Depending on the file type, the preview can show information such as dimensions, duration, or page count.
For additional details:
- Select the file in Finder.
- Choose File > Get Info, or press Command-I.
- Review the information in the Get Info window.
Quick Look and Get Info serve different purposes. Quick Look focuses on the file’s contents, while Get Info provides detailed file and permission information.
Preview Files from the Finder Preview Pane
Instead of opening a separate Quick Look window, you can enable the Finder preview pane.
- Open Finder.
- Choose View > Show Preview.
- Select a file.
- Review its preview in the right side of the Finder window.
To hide the pane, choose View > Hide Preview.
The preview pane is convenient when comparing files or browsing a folder. If the Finder window is narrow, you may need to widen it to see the preview and its information clearly.
Use Quick Look from an Open or Save Dialog
Quick Look also works in many file-selection windows.
For example, when an app displays an Open dialog:
- Navigate to the file.
- Select it once.
- Press the Space bar.
- Review the file without opening it.
- Close the preview and continue with the dialog.
This helps you choose the correct photo, document, or video when several files have similar names.
Share, Rotate, or Open a File from Quick Look
The Quick Look window may include buttons for common actions, such as:
- Share
- Rotate Left
- Markup
- Open with [App Name]
- Trim
Click Open with [App Name] when you need the full editing or playback controls of the associated app.
Be careful with action buttons that modify a file. Previewing is generally non-destructive, but Markup, rotation, and trimming may save changes to the file or create a modified version.
Quick Look Limitations
Quick Look is designed for fast previews, not complete editing or file management. Keep these limitations in mind:
- Some file formats have no Quick Look preview.
- A preview may show only the first page or a thumbnail.
- Fonts, layouts, or interactive content may not appear exactly as they do in the original app.
- Password-protected or encrypted files may require the appropriate password or app.
- Very large files may take longer to preview.
- Files stored on a slow network connection may not load immediately.
- Quick Look may not provide editing controls for every supported file type.
- Some third-party formats require an app or extension that understands the format.
If you need to make substantial changes, use the app designed for that file type.
Troubleshooting Quick Look
The Space Bar Does Nothing
Try these steps:
- Confirm that the file is selected in Finder.
- Click the file once, then press the Space bar.
- Make sure Finder is the active app.
- Try choosing View > Show Preview.
- Select a different file to determine whether the problem affects one file or all files.
- Close and reopen the Finder window.
If the issue continues, restart your Mac. Save work in other apps first, because restarting can close apps and may cause unsaved changes to be lost.
The File Opens Instead of Showing a Preview
You likely double-clicked the file. In Finder, select it with a single click and press the Space bar.
If you want to change the default app that opens the file, select it, choose File > Get Info, then use the Open with section. Changing the default app changes normal double-click behavior; it does not replace the Space bar shortcut for Quick Look.
Quick Look Shows Only an Icon or Thumbnail
The file may use an unsupported format, or macOS may not have enough information to generate a full preview. Try opening it in the app associated with the file type.
For a document, check whether it is password-protected or damaged. For a video, verify that the file plays in QuickTime Player or another compatible app.
The Preview Is Blank or Takes a Long Time
Wait briefly if the file is large or stored on an external or network drive. Then try:
- Close the Quick Look window.
- Select another file.
- Preview the original file again.
- If possible, copy the file to your Mac and preview the copied version.
If the copied file works, the original storage location or connection may be causing the delay.
Markup or Trim Controls Are Missing
Not every file supports every Quick Look action. Confirm that:
- The file type is supported.
- The file is not locked or read-only.
- You have permission to modify its location.
- The file is not open in another app with an exclusive lock.
- You are viewing the correct kind of file.
If you need editing controls that Quick Look does not provide, open the file in Preview, QuickTime Player, Photos, iMovie, or another compatible app.
Quick Look Stops Responding
Close the preview with the Esc key. If Finder itself is unresponsive, wait a moment before taking further action. If necessary, restart the Mac—but save work in other apps first to avoid losing unsaved changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Quick Look shortcut on a Mac?
Select a file in Finder and press the Space bar. Press the Space bar again to close the preview.
Can I use Quick Look without Finder?
Quick Look is most commonly used in Finder, but it is also available in many Open and Save dialogs. Select a file and press the Space bar when the dialog supports the feature.
Does Quick Look open the file?
No. Quick Look previews the file without normally launching its full application. You can choose Open with [App Name] when you want to work with the file in an app.
Can I preview several files at once?
Yes. Select multiple files in Finder, press the Space bar, and use the navigation controls or thumbnails to move among them.
Can Quick Look edit files?
It can provide limited tools, including Markup, rotation, and media trimming for supported files. These actions may modify the original, so duplicate important files first.
Why can’t I preview a file?
The format may not be supported, the file may be damaged or encrypted, or the storage location may be unavailable. Try opening the file in its associated app or copying it to a local folder.
How do I see a preview beside my files?
In Finder, choose View > Show Preview. Select a file to display its preview in the Finder window’s preview pane.
Is Quick Look the same as the Preview app?
No. Quick Look is a fast Finder preview feature. Preview is a separate app with more tools for viewing and editing PDFs and images.
Final Thoughts
Quick Look is one of the fastest ways to preview files on a Mac. Select a file in Finder and press the Space bar to inspect it without opening another app. You can browse multiple files, view information, use Markup, and—when supported—rotate images or trim media. For important files, duplicate the original before using any tool that may save changes.