Mac trick: Calculate and convert with Spotlight

Spotlight is Mac's internal search engine that can be used to find folders, files, apps, websites, dictionary entries, and more. But the search bar, which you can call up with cmd + space bar, offers other possibilities for use. For example, you can enter arithmetic problems, convert temperatures and use current exchange rates to calculate from euros to dollars or otherwise. This eliminates the need for corresponding apps as individual solutions or calling up Google in the web browser. I often hear that Google is used for calculating and converting, although Spotlight can do it even faster.

Use Spotlight on your Mac for calculating and converting

To open the Spotlight search bar, you simply use the key combination cmd + space bar on macOS. Instead of cmd, you can also search for the command or ⌘ key, depending on the model and keyboard. If you use a Windows keyboard on your Mac, then simply press the combination Windows key + space bar to open Spotlight. 

If you now enter a currency amount - let's say € 10 - it will be displayed directly in other currencies. For example, as $ 11,85, as British pounds 8,60 and as 1.322 Japanese yen (as of July 2, 2021). If you enter a temperature in ° C, it will immediately be converted into ° F and Kelvin. At 20 ° C, 68 ° F and 293,15 Kelvin are displayed. So much for the conversion ...

Calculating is also possible, and not just with simple additions or subtractions. You can enter an equation using various kinds of arithmetic, parentheses, fractions, and the like. The advantage over the calculator app is that you can see your equation all the time, you don't have to split it up into individual steps and you can also correct it at any time. This effectively avoids mistakes and does not always have to start from scratch.

Call up Spotlight without a keyboard shortcut

If you don't like working with keyboard shortcuts, but rather want to click on something with the mouse, then of course you can. To bring up the macOS Spotlight search bar with a click of the mouse, just take a look at the menu bar at the top of the screen. There should be a magnifying glass symbol (on the right). If you click on it, the spotlight bar opens. If there is (from macOS 11 Big Sur) no magnifying glass symbol on the menu bar, you can activate it as follows:

1. Click on the in the menu bar at the top left Apple icon
2. Select the item from the drop-down menu System settings ... from
3. Now open the menu for Dock & menu bar from the overview displayed

Objects and menus for the menu bar and the control center determine. Among other things, you can use the symbol for the Spotlight search enable or disable. Do you have any questions on the subject or do you know another useful function of macOS internal tools that could be presented? Then please leave a comment!

Johannes Domke

After graduating from high school, Johannes completed an apprenticeship as a business assistant specializing in foreign languages. But then he decided to research and write, which resulted in his independence. For several years he has been working for Sir Apfelot, among others. His articles include product introductions, news, manuals, video games, consoles, and more. He follows Apple keynotes live via stream.