Quick Look is macOS's built-in file preview system that lets you instantly view and perform basic edits on files without opening dedicated applications. To activate it, simply select any file in Finder and press the Space bar - a preview window will appear showing the file's contents. This feature works across virtually all file types including images, documents, PDFs, videos, and audio files. Beyond simple viewing, Quick Look offers markup tools for annotations, rotation capabilities for images, and even video trimming functionality. The system integrates seamlessly with macOS's Force Touch trackpad, allowing previews of links and media with a firm press. When issues arise like small preview windows, a simple Finder relaunch typically resolves them.

Key capabilities you should know:

• Access Quick Look by selecting files and pressing Space bar or Command+Y ^[1][8]
• Edit images directly in preview with markup tools and rotation options ^[1][2]
• Trim video/audio files without opening specialized editing software ^[1][7]
• Navigate between multiple files using arrow keys while in Quick Look mode ^[4][8]

Mastering Quick Look on macOS

Core Functionality and Basic Operations

Quick Look represents one of macOS's most efficient productivity tools, eliminating the need to open separate applications just to view file contents. The feature activates instantly when you select any file in Finder and press the Space bar, though Command+Y serves as an alternative shortcut that works in more contexts ^[1][8]. This preview window displays the file's contents in a floating panel that can be resized by dragging its corners, with support for zooming via pinch gestures on trackpads or the zoom controls in the interface ^[1].

The system handles virtually all native macOS file types and many third-party formats:

• Images (JPEG, PNG, HEIC, including HDR images) with automatic Live Photos playback ^[1]
• Documents (Pages, Word, PDF, text files) with selectable/copyable text ^[2]
• Media files (videos, audio) with playback controls and trimming capabilities ^[1]
• Spreadsheets and presentations with full formatting preservation ^[1]

For multiple file previewing, users can:

• Select several files before activating Quick Look to cycle through them ^[1]
• Use left/right arrow keys to navigate between files while in Quick Look mode ^[4]
• Maintain the Quick Look window while selecting new files in Finder to update the preview ^[7]

The preview window includes a toolbar with additional functions:

• Share button for quick file distribution via AirDrop, Mail, or Messages ^[1]
• Open With menu to launch the file in its default application ^[7]
• Markup button (pencil icon) that reveals annotation tools for images and PDFs ^[1][2]

Advanced Features and Troubleshooting

Beyond basic viewing, Quick Look incorporates several powerful editing capabilities that many users overlook. For image files, the markup tools allow annotations with shapes, text, and freehand drawings directly in the preview window ^[1][2]. Users can rotate images in 90-degree increments using either the rotation button in the toolbar or the Command+R keyboard shortcut ^[1]. Video files gain particular utility through Quick Look's trimming function, accessible via the trim button in the preview window, though this feature currently lacks dedicated keyboard shortcuts ^[1][9].

For Force Touch trackpad users, Quick Look extends to web content through "peek" functionality:

• Firm press on links in Safari or Mail to preview web pages ^[5]
• Press harder on these previews to "pop" them into full Quick Look windows
• Works with YouTube videos and other embedded media for instant previews

When Quick Look exhibits problems like small preview windows, the most reliable fix involves:

1. Opening the Quick Look window normally (Space bar)
2. Accessing Force Quit via the Apple menu (Command+Option+Escape)
3. Selecting Finder and clicking Relaunch ^[6][10]

This process resets Finder's preview generation without requiring a full system reboot.

For users needing to customize Quick Look behavior, macOS Sonoma and Sequoia offer additional settings:

• Enable "PreviewProvider" for document previews in System Settings ^[3]
• Toggle "Thumbnail Provider" for graphic file previews ^[3]
• Adjust which file types generate previews through third-party extensions

The feature's integration with different Finder views enhances its utility:

• Gallery View shows large previews alongside file lists ^[4]
• Column View includes a persistent preview pane ^[4]
• List View can display a preview column that updates as you navigate ^[8]