How to Convert Files With Right-Click on Mac
Finder can convert images with two clicks and encode video with a few more. Beyond that, you need an app. Here's what works for each file type.
Quick Answer
- ✓Images: right-click in Finder and choose Quick Actions > Convert Image. You get JPEG, PNG or HEIF.
- ✓Video: right-click, then look under Services for Encode Selected Video Files. Options are limited.
- ✓Everything else: Finder only has a basic audio encoder, so use an app. Tangerine works in Finder, while FileHop has a right-click menu in its own window.
What Finder's right-click menu can convert
Select one or more images in Finder, right-click, and choose Quick Actions > Convert Image. Pick a format and size, and macOS writes new copies next to the originals. It's fast and free, and it handles a selection of several files. The output options are limited to JPEG, PNG and HEIF.
Video is more hidden. Under Services, Encode Selected Video Files can re-encode to H.264, HEVC or ProRes at set sizes. It doesn't convert to formats like WebM or MKV. Encode Selected Audio Files makes MPEG audio from formats like WAV, but there's no built-in right-click path for Word files or spreadsheets. Automator can build custom Quick Actions, but that takes setup, and scripts need tools like ffmpeg.
How to use FileHop's right-click menu
FileHop's right-click tools work inside FileHop, not in Finder. Open your folder there first.
Open the folder in FileHop
It's free for Mac, and works just like browsing in Finder.
Right-click your file
Select one file or several, then right-click.
Open Tools
The options match the file type: convert or compress video, audio and images, export a spreadsheet, or merge PDFs.
Choose your output
Set the format and options, then run it. Your original stays where it is.
If you want conversions in Finder's own menu, FileHop isn't the tool for that. It has no Finder extension.
Other ways to convert from Finder
If staying in Finder matters most, try these.
Tangerine
Hold Shift while dragging in Finder for a wheel of formats. It's paid after 20 free files, and needs Apple silicon.
Automator Quick Actions
Free and built in, but you build each action yourself, and video usually needs a command-line tool such as ffmpeg.
Right-click menu extensions
Apps such as iMenuX add image conversion to the Finder menu. Most only cover images, so check before installing.
Right-click conversion by file type
What works in Finder, and what needs an app.
| File type | Finder alone | In FileHop |
|---|---|---|
| Images | JPEG, PNG, HEIF | JPEG, PNG, WebP, GIF, BMP, HEIC |
| Video | H.264, HEVC or ProRes re-encode | MP4, WebM, MOV, AVI, MKV |
| Audio | Limited | MP3, AAC, WAV, FLAC, OGG, Opus |
| Create PDF from images | Merge, split, compress, to images | |
| Spreadsheets | No | CSV, JSON, Parquet, PDF |
| Word | No | PDF, Markdown |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert an image on Mac with right-click?
Right-click it in Finder, choose Quick Actions > Convert Image, then pick a format and size.
Why don't I see Convert Image?
Check that an image is selected, then choose Quick Actions > Customize. That opens Extensions, under Login Items & Extensions in System Settings, where you can check what's on for Finder.
Can I convert a video by right-clicking?
Yes, in a limited way. Use Services > Encode Selected Video Files.
Can I convert to WebP in Finder?
Not with the built-in action. You'll need an app.
Can I right-click to convert a Word file?
Not in Finder without an app. FileHop can convert .docx to PDF from its own right-click menu.
Does FileHop add to Finder's menu?
No. Its right-click tools work in the FileHop window.
Can I convert several files at once?
Yes. Finder's Convert Image and FileHop both work on selections.
Are files uploaded?
No. Finder's actions and FileHop both work on your computer.
More formats, one right-click
FileHop is free for Mac and Windows.
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