How To Set Preference For Pdf Reader In Mac Sierra Os

To set the default PDF viewer on your computer, it depends on your OS: Mac users can right-click a PDF file on their computer and click Get info. Scroll down to Open With. Mac OS X Cheat Sheet The Mac OS X Desktop Shortcuts. Open System Preferences, change the way the Dock works, or select a network location. Powerful planner. Organize events, set reminders, invite Address Book contacts to events, create a to-do list, publish iCal on Web.

Aug 28,2019 • Filed to: Mac Tutorials

'Is there a reliable PDF reader for Mac?'

Mac users have a number of PDF reader programs to choose from, including Adobe Reader for Mac and Preview. But if you want a better PDF reading experience, you might want to use a more robust and powerful PDF program. In this article, we’ve compiled the top 12 free PDF reader for Mac tools including PDFelement Pro, which offers more features than a simple PDF reader.

Part 1: Top 12 Best PDF Reader Tools for Mac

1. PDFelement Pro - The Best Alternative PDF Reader to Adobe Acrobat for Mac

As high-quality as Adobe Reader is due to its constant updates and improvements, you can also look into alternative programs that can perform many of the same tasks. PDFelement Pro for Mac, as the best alternative PDF Reader to Adobe Acrobat for Mac, acts as both a PDF editor and reader that provides you full functions for PDF editing and a better experience reading PDF on Mac. This tool lets you add text, images, bookmarks, and more to your PDF. In addition, a user can also highlight text, underline, use strike-through features on the text and crop PDF pages on Mac. Watermarks can also be used to protect your PDF files on Mac. You can even edit and convert scanned PDF files with PDFelement Pro.

Key Features of this PDF Reader:

Add, delete or edit text, images, graphics, links, watermarks, and more.
Convert PDF to Word and other formats, or create PDFs from Webpages, images, and text files.
Quickly mark up and annotate PDFs with various annotation tools.
Combine or split PDFs, organize pages, and easily fill out PDF forms.
Edit and convert scanned or image-based PDFs using the OCR feature.
Easily add watermarks, passwords, and signature to PDF documents.

2. Skim - A Popular and Well-developed PDF Reader for Mac

Skim is a popular PDF Reader on Mac that is tailored towards scientific purposes, although it can also be used to view other types of documents as well. This free PDF reader software is designed to be customizable for individual use, and is handy for notes and previews. The reason why Skim is one of the most popular options is because it includes easy-to-use and visually impressive reading modes.

Key Features:

Single swipe highlight mode for easy use
AppleScript support
Ability to preview internal links

3. Adobe Reader for Mac - A Widely Used Free PDF Reader

You can download Adobe Reader on Mac for free and set it as your default PDF reader. Adobe Reader for Mac is considered the industry standard. Adobe is still a very well respected product on the market, as they are constantly making improvements and upgrades to the program, but there are other options that offer many of the same features at a lower price and without without complicated licensing agreements.

Key Features:

Fast and easy to use
Established platform worldwide
Considered industry standard
Well developed and supported

4. Free PDF Reader - A Simple to Use Mac PDF Rreader

This is another very popular Free PDF Reader for Mac. It includes many excellent features, and is designed to be easy to navigate and simple to use. The software claims to have 150million users, which indicates a tried and tested package, and offers some impressive features including:

Key Features:

Multi document viewing feature
Rotate and Zoom facility
Exporting and conversion capabilities
Advanced printing options

5. Haihaisoft Reader for Mac - A Small Size Free PDF Reader for Mac

A prominent feature of Haihaisoft for Mac is its small size at only 3MB ; this compact PDF Reader for Mac takes up much less space than other programs like Adobe Reader (see below). The package covers a wide range of languages and is designed for ease of use, while it is also well supported and has been developed for use on a number of platforms. Interesting features include:

Key Features:

Instant launch time
No background net connection for added security
Opens all PDF documents
Protection with DRM-X

6. PDFSam - A New Free PDF Reader for Mac

PDFSam is a relatively new release that has been met with mixed reviews. This free PDF reader for Mac is designed for splitting and merging documents, hence why it is called 'SAM'. Some users report problems while using the application, though generally it is reported to be user-friendly and quick for the average user.

Key Features:

Split and Merge – (SAM)
Extract sections as separate PDFs
Reorder pages when needed
Compose documents by dragging and dropping

7. PDF Info - An Easy-to-use Free PDF Reader

How To Change Default Pdf Reader In Mac

PDF Info is specifically designed for viewing information stored in PDF documents, rather than actually creating new ones. While it is limited in its operation, it is easy to use and designed in a basic and uncluttered style.

Key Features:

Easy to install and use
Quick operation
View info in PDF
Very small download size

8. Read Right - A Flexible Free PDF Reader

Read Right is a clever product, designed to tackle the increasing numbers of smaller notebook type laptops. It’s most beneficial feature is that it automatically rotates the screen to fit – book style – on a handheld device, making it much more convenient to use.

Key Features:

Multiple navigation options
Zoom control for expansion
Possible white on black text option for readers
Returns to the same page after interruption

9. Open Office 3 - A Versatile Free PDF Reader

The latest version of this popular and very versatile Open Office PDF reader is designed for business and personal users to read PDF files on Mac. It includes an impressive new array of features that have been improved and refined. It continues to be one of the leading free PDF readers for Mac on the market.

Key Features Includes:

Abilityt to import Microsoft Office file types
Advanced features for note taking
Chart creation tools
The ability to export and share spreadsheets

10. PDF Lab - A Well-developed Free PDF Reader

Designed to facilitate the manipulation of documents, PDF Lab is a well-developed and tested platform that is popular with a variety of users. A simple and user-friendly interface lets you use this tool as a PDF viewer. It can be updated through a regular software update, although at times you may have to do manual step-by-step updates.

Key Features:

Insert images and blank pages
Create new PDFs
Split documents into several different files
Encrypt documents for security

11. Formulate Pro - A Simple Free PDF Reader

This is an easy-to-use and popular program, Formulate Pro does not have a ton of features, but it is a basic and effective tool for amending documents. This tool is not designed for creation of PDFs, but it is certainly an effective reader.

Key Features:

Open and edit existing PDFs
Add graphics and other images
Write using the cursor
Print out PDFs

12. PDFView - An Impressive Free PDF Reader

PDFView offers a range of impressive features within a compact and easy to use package. It comes highly recommended by many users, and is a great way to read PDF documents. However, one issues is that it is no longer being developed, which means it might not be the best choice for a full-time PDF reader.

Key Features:

Has many customizable settings
Fit document to maximum screen size
Zoom in and out on PDFs
More features than Preview

Part 2: Troubleshooting on Opening and Reading PDFs in macOS

Many people experience problems when trying to open or read PDFs on Mac. This is due to a variety of reasons, but luckily this problem is usually quite an easy one to solve in just a matter of minutes. Here are the three main reasons why you may have a problem reading a PDF on Mac, and what you can do to solve the problem.

Question 1. Your Web Browser needs Updating

Solution: This is one of the most common problemsthat can prevent you from being able to read a PDF. Not all not all browsers update automatically, and it could be that yours needs a manual update. You can usually run a regular software update, but other times you may be required to update manually through the menu. An outdated browser may be the issue, in which case you may need to update your browser to resolve the issue. You can then make annotations and markups within your document.

Question 2. Your Browser is not Compatible

Solution: This issue depends on your operating system. If you are running OS 10.5 x, as many are, you will find that the later versions of Safari, for example, are non-compatible with your operating system. This will lead to you being unable to open PDFs, as well as a number of other problems. It is recommended that users with this operating system try using Firefox instead, as that may solve the problem.

Question 3. Check the Adobe Reader Plug-in

Solution: This problem also affects many users. If you are opening your PDF with Adobe Reader, the Adobe Reader Plug-in can be problematic, especially if it is an automatic launch when you enter your browser. The trick is to delete the plug-in (just the plug in, not Adobe Reader itself). Try using Adobe Reader as a stand-alone program rather than having it run within your browser, and the problem should be solved. You can also re-install the plug-in if necessary.

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System Preferences, a built-in macOS application analogous to Settings on the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, lets you customize the Mac to your liking.

You can, for example, adjust the size and location of the Dock, change your desktop background, set your computer’s clock to a different time zone, add or remove user accounts, dive deep into network settings and much more.

Whenever you feel like making changes to your Mac’s settings, System Preferences is the one app you’re most likely going to use. Despite it being one of the most-frequently used applications on the Mac, some folks are unaware of its less-visible features designed to make finding the right setting a breeze.

In this tutorial, you will learn about the most important System Preferences shortcuts and how you can leverage them to make the most from the app.

Before we get started, keep in mind that some settings on your Mac cannot be found within System Preferences and instead must be adjusted in their original app. For instance, various settings pertaining to apps like Mail or Safari are tucked away under Preferences in their menus.

Also, System Preferences may differ slightly from one Mac model to another, depending on the hardware and any apps you have installed.

Get to any setting fast, right from the Dock

To launch System Preferences, click its icon in the Dock or choose System Preferences in the Apple menu. However, you can select any preference pane via the app’s shortcut menu in the Dock. So do yourself a favor and click and hold the System Preferences icon in the Dock.

Highlight an item in the pop-up menu and let go of the button and you’ll be taken right to that particular preference pane without having to click your way through System Preferences.

Jump to certain settings with keyboard shortcuts

Some preference panes can be quickly accessed by simultaneously pressing the Option (⌥) key and one of the function keys on the keyboard:

Option (⌥) – F1 or F2—open the Displays pane
Option (⌥) – F3 or F4—open the Mission Control pane
Option (⌥) – F5 or F6—open the Keyboard pane
Option (⌥) – F10, F11 or F12—open the Sound pane

Note: Not all keyboard shortcuts mentioned above will necessarily work on every Mac model.

Navigate System Preferences with your keyboard

You need not lift your fingers off the keyboard to find your way in System Preferences.

For instance, to get back to where you were or advance forward, press the respective Command (⌘) – [ and Command (⌘)- ] keystroke. To quickly position the cursor in the search field, press the Command (⌘) – F combination.

To hide the System Preferences window, or all other windows, hit Command (⌘) – H or Option (⌥) – Command (⌘) – H, respectively. And last but not least, you can quit the app using macOS standard system-wide Command (⌘) – Q keyboard combo.

Note that the System Preferences window cannot be taken full screen nor can these keyboard shortcuts be customized in the Keyboard → Shortcuts preference pane.

The Show All button has a secret

If you launch System Preferences manually and then click on an icon to change the related system settings, and then want to open another pane, you would typically click the Show All button. It’s like the Home button on your iPhone, only for System Preferences: click it and you get back to the main view from wherever you happen to be.

But check this out: click and hold the button and up pops a menu that lists all the preference panes. Just highlight an item and release the button.

If you’re changing multiple Mac settings which are scattered all over the place, using the Show All button’s shortcut menu will save you more than a few clicks.

Tip: You can quickly access any preference pane in System Preference’s View menu, which will also reveal itself upon pressing the Command (⌘) – L keystroke.

Use built-in (Windows-friendly) search

Can’t recall the exact setting name? No problem, System Preferences provides a built-in search field that you can use to quickly locate any available setting.

As you type, possible matches for what you’re looking for appear below the search field, and one or more preference icons are spotlighted in the System Preferences window. You can also type a phrase that describes what you want to do, as opposed to needing to provide a very specific setting name.

Though you can click any highlighted icon, but why waste time when you can select an item in the list that matches what you want to do using the arrow keys, and press Enter to be taken there?

Tip: To cater to Windows users, System Preferences recognizes queries specific to PC’s Control Panel, such as “wallpaper” which highlights the Desktop & Screen Saver pane. Typing “windows” will suggest appropriate panes for adjusting related Mac features like Windows networking and file sharing, restoring Finder windows and more.

Get to any setting through Spotlight Search

That’s right, you can also locate any preference pane using the Mac’s system-wide Spotlight Search. Click the Spotlight icon in the menu bar and type a query like you would in the built-in System Preferences search.

Select a desired result with the arrow keys and hit Enter.

Tip: To prevent Spotlight from surfacing these System Preferences panes, untick the System Preferences box in System Preferences → Spotlight → Search Results.

Hide some settings from your view

System Preferences presents its panes as a grid of logically group preference icons. Third-party applications may also add their own items to System Preferences. If your view has become a tad too cluttered for your tastes and you wish you were able to easily hide the items you rarely access —well, you can.

Simply launch the app and click Customize in its View menu.

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A checkmark appears next to each icon in the System Preferences window. Untick the items you would like to hide and click Done. To show hidden items, select Customize in the View menu, tick their boxes and select Done.

Items you have removed are hidden from your view, but not deactivated completely.

Both System Preferences and Spotlight will still surface hidden preference panes when running a search, and your hidden items will continue to be available through the shortcut menu in the Dock and in the System Preferences → View menu.

In the example screenshot below, I am able to use built-in search to change my desktop background even though I hid the top row of preference icons such as General, Desktop & Screen Saver, Dock and so forth.

Adjust icon grouping

By default, System Preferences icons are organized into logical groups and listed by category. You can switch between group organization and alphabetical grouping by selecting Organize by Categories or Organize Alphabetically in the View menu.

For your convenience, here’s the layout of the System Preferences icons after selecting the Organize Alphabetically option.

Remove misbehaving preference panes

Third-party apps are permitted to add their own panes to System Preferences. The problem is, in some cases a pane won’t disappear after uninstalling its container app.

I hate seeing icons for non-functional panes sitting in the System Preferences window. Thankfully, you can remove any misbehaving preference pane from your system. Open System Preferences, right-click an item and select the Remove option from the pop-up menu. You might be asked to type in an administrator password to continue.

Resort to removing a misbehaving preference pane yourself only if running its container app’s uninstaller, removing the app via the macOS Launchpad or trashing the app from the Applications folder won’t yield desired results.

You cannot manually remove Apple’s stock panes from System Preferences.

Tip: You could also manually delete any third-party preference pane if you don’t mind venturing into the “/Users/username/Library/PreferencePanes” and “Macintosh HD/Library/PreferencePanes“ folders.

Change dimmed settings

Certain system-level settings in some preference panes may be dimmed. This is by design, to prevent users who lack an administrative account privilege from changing crucial settings on your Mac.

If options in a preference pane that you wish to change are dimmed, click the lock icon in the bottom of the window and type your administrator password.

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If you navigate away from the unlocked pane or close the System Preferences window, your Mac will automatically lock any unlocked items, and this is for your own security.

Help is but a click away

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If you get stuck or want to learn about all the ways System Preferences can help you customize your Mac to your liking, browse Apple’s built-in help. To bring up System Preferences resources in Apple Help, select Finder → Help and type “Customize your Mac in System Preferences” into the search field.

And your favorite System Preferences trick?

How often do you play with System Preferences on your Mac and what do you use it most for? If you know about other trick not mentioned here, we’d be eager if you shared them in the comment section below.

Like this article? We’d appreciate if you could pass it along to your friends and Mac support folk and give us a shoutout on Twitter.

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