Preview and compare files in Finder

Select a file in Finder and press Command-Y for Quick Look. Command-2 changes the folder to list view; Command-4 changes it to gallery view.

Scope: Finder · Apple public Mac documentation checked 2 November 2026; no runtime compatibility test.
Keyboard and customization: English documentation; key names are written out. Non-US layouts can differ.. These are Apple’s documented defaults. Menu commands, keyboard layout, app settings and custom App Shortcuts can change a binding. Check the current menu when a shortcut differs.
Review basis: Documentation reviewed 2026-11-03 by Codex — documentation and editorial review; no hands-on runtime test. These bindings were not tested in a running app for this guide.

Preview before opening

Quick Look is a useful first step when the filename is not enough to identify an item. It previews the selection without using the open-item command.

Pick a view for the question

Try list view when you are comparing a folder as a list, columns when its hierarchy matters, or gallery when you want to browse visually. These commands change presentation rather than moving or renaming files.

Compare candidates before committing to an app

Imagine a folder containing three similarly named image exports. Select one candidate, preview it, then return to the folder and select the next candidate. Use the visual content to distinguish them rather than guessing from a truncated filename. If you need dimensions or other metadata, inspect the file information separately; the preview and the metadata answer different questions. Keep the originals unchanged while deciding. Switching to gallery view can support this visual decision, while list view makes names and sortable metadata easier to compare across many items.

Documented shortcuts for this task

Scroll the table sideways to see every column.

Action	Keys	When to use it
Preview selected files	`Command-Y`	Uses Quick Look; select the item first. ↗
Use list view	`Command-2`	Changes the active Finder window’s view. ↗
Use column view	`Command-3`	Changes the active Finder window’s view. ↗
Use gallery view	`Command-4`	Changes the active Finder window’s view. ↗

Sources and corrections

Mac keyboard shortcuts — Apple Support — checked 2026-11-03

Found a mismatch? Email pashaseenainc@gmail.com with your app version, macOS version, keyboard layout and the command. Please leave personal document names out.

Keep going

Right there when you need it.

Keep a compact shortcut reference in your Mac’s menu bar.

Explore the native Mac app