MAC TREAT #168: Do the Math in Spotlight

ByMike Moffit

This Mac Treat is similar to one of our previous treats, but with some added nuggets.

One of my favorite features in Spotlight is the ability to pose a calculation (e.g. 5,608 * 72) and it will retrieve the Calculator for you as a top hit. (Just enter the numbers you want to add, subtract, multiply or divide by using the standard mathematical symbols of +, -, * and / in the Spotlight window.)

Here’s an updated bonus for those of you with Lion: Now when you do a Spotlight search, it offers a ‘web searches’ option in the search results. If chosen, your default web browser will option with said search entered.

You can also now drag and drop files out of your search results. (Yippee!) In order to preview an item in your search results, select and hold the Command key. Additionally, hold down the Command key (with the preview window open) to display an info bar at the bottom of the window.

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