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How to Do Math Calculations in Spotlight for Mac

You might think OS X Yosemite is the only Mac operating system that can do math calculations in Spotlight, but that's not true. You can use Spotlight for calculations even if you're not a Mac geek. Follow the steps below to learn how. Open...

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Method 1 of 3:

Basic calculations

  1. How to Do Math Calculations in Spotlight for Mac Picture 1
    Open Spotlight in the menu bar. Click the magnifying glass icon in the menu bar, or press keys ⌘ Cmd+Space.
  2. How to Do Math Calculations in Spotlight for Mac Picture 2
    Type in the equation you want an answer to. You can use numbers and basic math symbols including addition +, subtraction -, multiplication *, and division /. For example, you could use: 12*5, 154/4, 1533+55, or 120-545.
  3. How to Do Math Calculations in Spotlight for Mac Picture 3
    Review the answer. The answer should update as you type, in the Spotlight area.
Method 2 of 3:

Advanced calculations

  1. How to Do Math Calculations in Spotlight for Mac Picture 4
    Do advanced calculations following the order of operations. Spotlight will behave like a regular calculator in how it tackles any equation you give it. For example, you could use: 12+154*5-20/6, or 1000/365.
  2. How to Do Math Calculations in Spotlight for Mac Picture 5
    Press the ⏎ Return key to open the full calculator (your Mac's built-in calculator).
Method 3 of 3:

Spotlight calculations in full-screen apps

  1. How to Do Math Calculations in Spotlight for Mac Picture 6
    In a full screen app, hover over the menu bar, and click the magnifying glass icon.
    • Alternatively, you can press keys: ⌘ Cmd+Space and start calculating without anything getting in your way.

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Isabella Humphrey

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Isabella Humphrey
Update 04 March 2020

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