Crop or Rotate a PDF in Preview on Mac (All You Need to Know)
One of the most common tasks is to crop or rotate pages in a PDF document.
Cropping can help remove unwanted white spaces or margins while rotating can adjust the orientation of the pages, and everyone can do it by any device.
Preview is primarily used for viewing and editing PDFs, images, and other media files on Mac.
A preview is a versatile tool that allows users to crop, rotate, resize, and annotate PDF documents easily.
It also offers to highlight, add comments, and insert shapes and text boxes to make your PDFs more engaging and interactive.
Additionally, Preview is a lightweight application that runs smoothly on Macs, making it a popular choice for those who frequently work with PDFs.
In my opinion, the best way to rotate a PDF on a Mac is to use the free online tool and PDF rotator at the PDF to Convert site.
To open a PDF file in Preview:
Double-click on the File, or right-click on the File and select “Open With” and then select Preview.
You can also open Preview and then go to File> Open and select the PDF file you want to open.
To crop a PDF in Preview:
Select the page or pages you want to crop, go to Tools > Crop, and then drag the crop handles to adjust the area you want to keep. Once you have the desired crop area, click “Done” to complete the crop.
To rotate a PDF in Preview:
Go to Tools > Rotate Left or Rotate Right, or use the keyboard shortcuts Command + Left Arrow or Command + Right Arrow. You can also rotate the PDF with the “Rotate” button in the toolbar.
To save a cropped or rotated PDF in Preview:
Go to File> Export. Choose the file format you want to save as, and then click “Save”. Your newly cropped or rotated PDF will be saved as a separate file.
Below are some tips and tricks to help you make the most out ofusing Preview to crop or rotate PDFs on Mac:
Use the Loupe Tool to zoom in and closely examine the area you want to crop.
Use the Grid Tool to align your crop area with the page’s margins.
Press and hold the Option key while dragging a cropping handle to crop all page sides simultaneously.
Use the “Fit Width” or “Fit Page” buttons in the toolbar to better view your document before cropping or rotating.
Use the “Undo” button in the toolbar or the keyboard shortcut Command + Z to undo a crop or rotation.
Use the “Duplicate” function in the File menu to make a copy of the original PDF before making any changes.
Use the “Auto Crop” function to batch multiple crop pages simultaneously.
These tips and tricks can improve your workflow and save time while cropping and rotating PDFs in Preview.
Whether you need to remove unwanted portions of a document or rotate pages to view them more easily, Preview offers a range of features and tools to help you achieve your goals.
By following the steps outlined in this article and utilizing some of the tips and tricks I have shared, you can become more efficient and effective when cropping or rotating a PDF in Preview on Mac.
So next time you crop or rotate a PDF, use Preview on your Mac.
Please test it out to see how it may enhance your workflow and productivity, and then share your thoughts and experiences in the comment area.
