Level 1

8 points

Opening multiple PDFs with Preview

We have just updated to Sequoia. Under Monterey, clicking on a pdf file simply opened it on the desktop and clicking on a different file would open that one too, so that they could be read side-by-side.

Under Sequoia, the first file will open, no problem, but click another file and it replaces the first, so Preview will now only open one file at a time. Checking the Library, there is no file Preferences > com.apple.Preview.plist. This is a new Mac mini with Sequoia pre-installed.

Any ideas on how to get Preview to open more than one window?

Mac mini, macOS 15.1

Posted on Jan 13, 2025 6:35 AM

Top-ranking reply

microdave Author

Level 1

8 points

Posted on Jan 14, 2025 11:51 AM

Thank you etresoft. The duplicate worked as expected, but it came up in a new tab.

System Settings > Desktop & Dock > Prefer tabs when opening documents was set to ‘Always’. Changing it to ‘Never’ did the trick.

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30 replies

dialabrain

Level 10

136,481 points

Jan 14, 2025 9:41 AM in response to microdave

FWIW, I opened 3 PDFs and they didn't open in a single window in Tabs. Hopefully you can see this in the screen shot.

microdave Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 14, 2025 10:34 AM in response to dialabrain

Still opening as tabs.

dialabrain

Level 10

136,481 points

Jan 14, 2025 10:40 AM in response to microdave

All I can think of is the Preview plist is corrupt. Perhaps someone can point you to the folder its in.

microdave Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 14, 2025 11:21 AM in response to microdave

This is what I get when trying to open 3 PDF files.

dialabrain

Level 10

136,481 points

Jan 14, 2025 11:25 AM in response to microdave

Did you try deleting the Preview.plist file?

microdave Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 14, 2025 11:43 AM in response to dialabrain

I am inclined to agree, but ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Preview.plist does not exist ...

dialabrain

Level 10

136,481 points

Jan 14, 2025 11:46 AM in response to microdave

Try /Users/your user name/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Preview.plist

dialabrain

Level 10

136,481 points

Jan 14, 2025 11:52 AM in response to microdave

FWIW, if I paste the first path I posted into Finder > Go > Go to Folder… it's there.

dialabrain

Level 10

136,481 points

Jan 15, 2025 4:01 AM in response to microdave

I really don't remember what the default is. Plus, I did migrate from an older Mac to the new one. In any case, glad you have it sorted. :)

Jan 15, 2025 4:07 AM in response to microdave

(please ignore. Already responded, I had missed that)

dialabrain

Level 10

136,481 points

Jan 15, 2025 4:07 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

(Ignored)

microdave Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 15, 2025 4:08 AM in response to dialabrain

Not there either.

dialabrain

Level 10

136,481 points

Jan 15, 2025 4:09 AM in response to microdave

microdave wrote:

Not there either.

Sorry, I don't know what you mean.

microdave Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 15, 2025 4:10 AM in response to dialabrain

That did indeed get me to /users/username/Library/Preferences but no Preview.plist.

dialabrain

Level 10

136,481 points

Jan 15, 2025 4:12 AM in response to microdave

Ahh, that. Interesting…

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Opening multiple PDFs with Preview