Preview

In the Preview app, you can copy a PDF or image to the Clipboard, or create a duplicate file. You just open a PDF or image, then copy it or duplicate it. You can also share, annotate, export, or compress PDFs and images in Preview.

1. Go to the Preview app on your iPad.
2. Open a PDF or image.
3. Do any of the following:
   • Copy the PDF or image to the Clipboard: Tap the Share button and then tap Copy. See Share PDFs or images.
   • Create a duplicate: Tap the Actions Menu button next to the filename. Tap Duplicate.

See also

• Manage PDFs and images in Preview on iPad
• Annotate a PDF or image in Preview on iPad
• Export or compress PDFs and images in Preview on iPad

When you create an image in the Preview app, you can start with a blank image or with pasted content that was copied to the Clipboard. It can come from the Photos app, the Files app, or Preview. You can then annotate an empty image or an image from the Clipboard with a shape, sticker, or text.

Create an empty image

1. Open the Preview app on your iPad.
2. Tap New Document and then choose New Empty Image.

Use an image from the Clipboard

1. Do any of the following to copy an image to the Clipboard:
   • From the Photos app: Select an image, tap the Share button, and then tap Copy Photo.
   • From the Files app: Touch and hold an image file, then tap Copy.
   • From the Preview app: Touch and hold an image file and tap Copy. You can also open an image file, tap the Share button, and then tap Copy.
2. Open the Preview app on your iPad.
3. Tap New Document, then choose New from Clipboard.

You can annotate an empty image or an image from the Clipboard. Tap the Markup button, choose a drawing tool, then draw with your finger or Apple Pencil (on a compatible iPad). See Apple Pencil compatibility with iPad models. You can also tap the Add button, then choose an option such as a shape, sticker, or text.

See also

• Manage PDFs and images in Preview on iPad
• Export or compress PDFs and images in Preview on iPad

You can choose which buttons appear in the toolbar in the Preview app for quick access to frequently used items. With Customize Toolbar, you just move items into or out of the toolbar. You can also manage PDFs and images in Preview, and lock PDFs.

1. Go to the Preview app on your iPad.
2. Choose View > Customize Toolbar in the menu bar.
3. Drag items into or out of the toolbar.
4. Tap the Done button.

See also

• Manage PDFs and images in Preview on iPad
• Lock PDFs in Preview on iPad

You can share a PDF or image from the Preview app on your iPad. You can collaborate on the file, send a copy, or copy it to the Clipboard to paste it into another app. When you collaborate, you can allow only invitees to view and edit the contents, or allow anyone with the link to view the contents.

1. Go to the Preview app on your iPad.
2. Open a PDF or image.
3. Tap the Share button. Then choose whether to collaborate on the file, send a copy of it, or copy it to the Clipboard. When you copy a file to the Clipboard, you can paste it into another app.
4. If you choose Collaborate, tap the Forward button next to Only invited people can edit and then do one of the following:
   • Allow only invitees to view and edit the contents: Tap Only invited people and then tap Can make changes.

     Turn off “Allow others to invite” if you don’t want people you share the file with to invite others to view and edit it.

   • Allow only invitees to view the contents: Tap Only invited people and then tap View only.
   • Allow anyone with the link to view and edit the contents: Tap Anyone with the link and then tap Can make changes.
   • Allow anyone with the link to view the contents: Tap Anyone with the link and then tap View only.
5. If you choose Collaborate, tap the Done button.
6. Choose a sharing method, such as Mail or Messages.

See also

• Open and view PDFs and images in Preview on iPad
• Reply to an email with a PDF attachment in Preview on iPad
• Lock PDFs in Preview on iPad
• Export or compress PDFs and images in Preview on iPad

You can use Live Text in Preview to copy or translate text within an image, make a call, open a website, or start an email. You can also look up the meaning of text, search the web for it, or save a phone number or email address to Contacts.

1. Start the Preview app on your iPad.
2. Open an image that shows text. Select the text. See Select, cut, copy, and paste text.
3. Do any of the following:
   • Copy text: Tap Copy. You can then paste the text into another document or app.
   • Look up the meaning of text: Tap Look Up.
   • Translate text: Tap Translate and choose a language.

     Note: Translation isn’t available in all languages and may not be available in some countries or regions.

   • Search the web for the text: Tap the Forward button and tap Search Web.
   • Call or text a phone number: Tap Call or Message.
   • Save a phone number or email address: Tap the Forward button and then tap Add to Contacts.
   • Send an email or message to an email address: Tap Email or Message.
   • Go to a website: Tap Open Link.

See also

• Annotate a PDF or image in Preview on iPad
• Remove the background from an image in Preview on iPad

You can crop, rotate, or flip an image in Preview on your iPad. You can also remove the background or adjust the image size.

You can choose Rotate Left or Rotate Right, or Flip Horizontally or Flip Vertically, and there’s a way to undo a change, too. You can also export or compress PDFs and images in Preview, and add, delete, rotate, move, or crop PDF pages in Preview on iPad.

1. Start the Preview app on your iPad.
2. Open an image.
3. Do any of the following:
   • Crop the image: Tap the Crop button. Drag the blue handles to select an area, tap within the selected area, and then tap Crop.
   • Rotate the image: Tap the Rotate Left button. You can also tap the More button and choose Rotate Left or Rotate Right.
   • Flip the image: Tap the More button and then choose Flip Horizontally or Flip Vertically.
   • Remove the background: Tap the More button, then tap Remove Background.
   • Adjust the image size: Tap the More button, then tap Adjust Size. Choose options, then tap Done.

To undo a change, tap the More button, then choose Undo.

See also

• Export or compress PDFs and images in Preview on iPad
• Remove the background from an image in Preview on iPad

You can remove the background from an image in the Preview app on your iPad. You just open an image, and Remove Background is one of the options. You can also open and view PDFs and images, edit an image, or annotate a PDF or image in Preview.

1. Open the Preview app on your iPad.
2. Open an image.
3. Tap the More button, then choose Remove Background.

See also

• Open and view PDFs and images in Preview on iPad
• Edit an image in Preview on iPad
• Annotate a PDF or image in Preview on iPad

You can manage PDFs and images in the Preview app on your iPad. You can save the file and return to the main menu, copy the PDF or image to the Clipboard, or export a PDF or image in a different format. You can also create a duplicate, move the file, or rename it.

1. Go to the Preview app on your iPad.
2. Open a PDF or image.
3. Do any of the following:
   • Save the file and return to the main menu: Tap the Back button.
   • Rename the file: Tap the Actions Menu button next to the filename and tap Rename. Enter a new filename and tap the Done button on the onscreen keyboard.
   • Copy the PDF or image to the Clipboard: Tap the Share button, then tap Copy.
   • Create a duplicate: Tap the Actions Menu button next to the filename. Tap Duplicate.
   • Export PDF or image in a different format: See Export or compress PDFs and images.
   • Move the file: Tap the Actions Menu button next to the filename and tap Move. Tap the Actions Menu button next to Preview and select a new location.

See also

• Print PDFs or images in Preview on iPad

You can export a PDF or an image as an HEIC, JPEG, PDF, PNG, or TIFF file in the Preview app. You can compress the file, too. You can also manage PDFs and images, add, delete, rotate, move, or crop PDF pages, and edit an image in Preview.

1. Go to the Preview app on your iPad.
2. Open a PDF or image.
3. Tap the Actions Menu button next to the filename. Then tap Export.
4. Select a file format.

   Available formats are HEIC, JPEG, PDF, PNG, and TIFF.

5. Optionally, use the slider to adjust the file size.

See also

• Manage PDFs and images in Preview on iPad
• Add, delete, rotate, move, or crop PDF pages in Preview on iPad
• Edit an image in Preview on iPad