Apple Intelligence now features Image Playground, Genmoji, Writing Tools enhancements, seamless support for ChatGPT, and visual intelligence.

Apple Intelligence has also begun language expansion with localized English support for Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K. Learn more >

You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

User profile for user: ejbpesca
ejbpesca Author
User level: Level 1
45 points

Preview Tools Auto Selection

Why can't Auto Selection under Tools in Preview be unchecked?

MacBook Air Apple Silicon

Posted on Nov 29, 2022 7:52 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: VikingOSX
VikingOSX
Community+ 2024
User level: Level 10
117,191 points

Posted on Nov 29, 2022 9:12 AM

There is Select and copy text in a PDF in Preview on Mac - Apple Support


Automatic Selection may be just the default selection for the file type opened in Preview, though I do not know that for certain. It isn't discussed above.

View in context

Similar questions

3 replies
User profile for user: VikingOSX
VikingOSX
Community+ 2024
User level: Level 10
117,191 points

Nov 29, 2022 8:05 AM in response to ejbpesca

In Ventura 13.0.1 on my M1 mini, I can open a PDF in Preview and change from Automatic Selection to Text Selection, Rectangular Selection, Redact, but cannot reselect Automatic Selection on the same opened PDF.


If I have opened a .png image in Preview, again, I can change from Automatic Selection to Text Selection, Rectangular Selection, and even reselect Automatic Selection.


I am not confronted with a Preview scenario where I cannot uncheck Automatic Selection.

Reply
User profile for user: ejbpesca
ejbpesca Author
User level: Level 1
45 points

Nov 29, 2022 8:32 AM in response to VikingOSX

I see now that there are three types of selection available. Automatic and rectangular seem to do the same thing within a .jpeg photo. I was under the impression that automatic selection would select the entire file automatically, perhaps it does not.


Can you define the difference between automatic and rectangular selection under Tools in Preview?

Reply

Preview Tools Auto Selection

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up