| How to Peek Inside Documents or Pictures Without Actually Opening Them
The Problem
Has this ever happened to you? You’re looking at a folder on your computer that has several documents, pictures, spreadsheets, etc. whose contents you want to review with minimal effort. Perhaps you want to discard old or unwanted ones, or find the best ones to keep. There are a number of methods that you can use that are often quicker and simpler than opening each one individually. All of these techniques work with common file types that the Windows File Explorer and Macintosh Finder understand, including:
- Images and photos: .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .gif, etc.
- Portable Document Format files: .pdf
- Microsoft Word files: .doc, .docx
- Microsoft Excel spreadsheets: .xls, .xlsx
- Microsoft PowerPoint presentations: .ppt, .pptx
- Plain text files: .txt, bat, .csv
- Saved web pages: .htm, .html
The contents of less-common or more complicated file types may not be shown. And at any point you can always double-click any particular file to open, view, and edit its contents. Method #1: Switch the folder to icon view This approach changes the current folder to show a small view of every file’s contents within its own individual icon. If the file contains a picture, it’s scaled down to fit within the icon. If the file has multiple images or pages of text, the icon will show a small version of the first page. The icon will be blank if the file’s content can’t be shown. Windows File Explorer: Ribbon (Toolbar): Click View, and then either Small icons, Medium icons, Large icons, Extra large icons, or Tiles. Macintosh Finder: Click the View menu, then as Icons; you can then adjust the size of all of the icons together by clicking and dragging the “slider” (white circle) at the top or bottom edge of the window. Pros: You’ll be able to see the contents of multiple files at the same time. Cons: The size of the icons is limited. Method #2: Show the Preview Pane This approach opens a pane on the right side of the folder window that will show the contents of the currently-selected file. Windows File Explorer: Ribbon (Toolbar): View->Preview Pane Keyboard shortcut: Alt-P Macintosh Finder: Menu Bar: View->Show Preview Keyboard shortcut: Command-Shift-P Pros: The Preview Pane is much larger than an icon, so it will show more of the given file’s contents than the icon view. It will update as you select different files in the given folder, which you can typically do by either clicking on a different file or tapping the arrow keys on your keyboard. You can also adjust the width of the Preview Pane by clicking and dragging the vertical boundary between the main window contents and the Preview Pane. Cons: The Preview Pane only shows the contents of one selected file at a time. It’s also a general Finder setting that changes the structure of the window, so each new folder you open will also show its own Preview Pane until you turn it off. Method #3: Quick Look This approach opens a floating (temporary) “Quick Look” window that will show the contents of the currently-selected file. Windows Explorer: This function is not built into Windows, but you can install it and use it for free by downloading the QuickLook software from http://github.com/QL-Win/QuickLook I also suggest installing their free Office Viewer plugin (from http://github.com/QL-Win/QuickLook.Plugin.OfficeViewer) so it will show the contents of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files. Keyboard shortcut: Spacebar Macintosh Finder: Menu Bar: File->Quick Look Keyboard shortcut: Spacebar (or Command-Y) Pros: Of the three methods, this one shows the largest view of the selected file's contents. The Quick Look floating window will update as you select different files in the given folder, whether you simply click on a different file or tap the arrow keys on your keyboard. You can also move and resize it. Tap the spacebar again to close it, or click the little “x” at its top right corner. Cons: Quick Look only shows the contents of one selected file at a time. Where to go from here As always, if any of my advice seems too difficult to follow, I recommend that you find someone you know and trust who can help you. In the searches below, replace X with “Windows” or “Macintosh.”
- google: X icon view
- google: X preview pane
- google: X quick look
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