What’s the best way to open PDF files on Mac?

There are many ways to open PDFs on a Mac computer. Which one is the best? It depends on your needs. After all, the most suitable is the best.

Generally speaking, the simplest and easiest way is to use Preview, a built-in tool. Double-click the PDF, and it will open in Preview. However, Preview only has basic functions. If you want to open the PDF for reading and editing, a professional PDF reader such as SwifDoo PDF for Mac would be a better choice. Click the button below to get it.

Anyhow, you can learn all the details of these methods and find the best one. So, keep reading.

Part 1. Open PDF in Preview on Mac

Preview is the default PDF and image viewer on macOS, so you don't need to download and install it. In Preview, you can navigate through the page using the thumbnail sidebar. You can also adjust the view using the zoom-in/out option or set a specific ratio. In addition, you can edit PDFs with Preview, as it provides some basic editing and annotation tools.

Generally, using Preview is sufficient if you need to view a PDF file and make simple annotations and edits. Check to learn how to open PDF in Preview on Mac:

Option 1: Double-click the PDF

Locate the PDF file on your device and double-click the file.

If you haven't made any changes, Preview will be your default viewer, so double-clicking on a PDF will open it in Preview. If not, you should right-click the PDF and choose Get Info to make Preview default for PDFs.

Option 2: Use the Open With Menu

Right-click the PDF > Choose Open With > Select Preview.

Part 2. Open PDF on Mac with SwifDoo PDF for Mac

SwifDoo PDF for Mac is a professional PDF reader that lets you read PDFs in various modes. You can zoom PDFs in and out, adjust page size, rotate pages, and view PDFs by scrolling and on the full screen.

In addition to PDF viewing, you can access a range of editing and annotation tools to work with PDFs. You can add text, highlight important content, delete or add pages, add password protection, and print PDF files without any problems. It can also help you create a PDF on a Mac.

In short, with SwifDoo PDF for Mac, you will be comfortable viewing PDF files and handling them like a pro. It is a good choice if you prefer to open PDF files on a Mac to edit.

Here is how to open PDF on Mac with SwifDoo PDF for Mac:

1. Download, install, and launch the software.

2. On the homepage, click Open PDF and select the file.

4. Now, you can view the PDF as you like.

If you want to annotate PDFs on your Mac, please choose Annotate, and you will see the toolkit.

Part 3. Open PDF on Mac with Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat is a reliable PDF reader that offers a comprehensive suite of viewing features designed to enhance your PDF reading experience. With this reader, you can zoom in on PDFs, change page display, and view PDFs in full screen and dark mode.

It also lets you highlight text, add comments, and sign the PDF. However, you should upgrade to the Pro version to use other advanced features.

Learn how to open PDF on Mac with Adobe Reader:

1. Download Adobe Acrobat Reader and install it on your Mac.

2. Find the PDF file you want to check.

3. Right-click the PDF > Choose Open With > Select Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Part 4. Open PDF in Safari/Chrome on Mac

Another way to open PDF files on a Mac is to use a web browser like Safari or Google Chrome. This is a good option for a quick look without launching a heavier app like Adobe Reader. The browser provides a clean experience: scroll, zoom, and read. However, please note that you cannot highlight, annotate, or edit the file. If needed, you can turn to online PDF editors.

Steps to open a PDF in Safari/Chrome on Mac:

1. Open the browser.

2. Open Finder and locate your PDF file.

3. Drag the PDF file into the Safari or Chrome window.

See also:

Part 5. Open PDF in Pages/Word/Excel on Mac

For some reason, perhaps to consolidate data or for ease of editing, you may want to open a PDF in Pages, Word, or Excel on your Mac. The details are as follows.

How to open a PDF in Pages on Mac:

1. Open Pages.

2. Go to File > Open, then select a PDF.

3. Pages will attempt to import the content, but formatting may vary.

How to open a PDF in Word on Mac:

1. Open Microsoft Word.

2. Click File > Open.

3. Locate and select the PDF file you want to open.

4. Click OK to confirm.

How to open a PDF in Excel on Mac:

1. Open Excel.

2. Go to Data > Get Data > From File > From PDF.

3. Select your PDF file.

4. Choose the table or text to load.

Conclusion

That’s all about how to open PDF on Mac. As you can see, there are many tools to help you open PDFs. If you just want to have a quick look at the file, the Preview app and the browser are the way to go. SwifDoo PDF for Mac and Adobe Reader are good choices if you want to view and edit PDF files. You can use different tools in different situations to improve efficiency!