Get tasks done quickly using services
Many apps in macOS let you use the features or services of one app while you’re in another app. For example, you can select text in a document, then use the New Email With Selection service to start an email with that text.
Services provide shortcuts for many tasks, including starting an email, making sticky notes, having text read aloud, and much more. You can select services to turn on in the Shortcuts pane of Keyboard preferences. To open the Shortcuts pane, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Keyboard, then click Shortcuts.
Open the Shortcuts pane for me
Use a service
Select an item, such as a file or text in a document.
Open the app menu (to the right of the Apple menu), choose Services, then choose a service.
For example, to email text from a TextEdit document, select the text, then choose TextEdit > Services > New Email With Selection.
If you can’t use a service
If you don’t see the service, open the app menu (to the right of the Apple menu), then choose Services > Services Preferences. Select the checkbox next to the service you want to use.
If you don’t have permission to open the app that’s providing the service, you need to log in as an administrator to use the service.
If the app is missing or can’t be opened, try searching for it in the Applications folder and opening it. Then try using the service again. If that doesn’t work, try restarting your Mac, or updating or reinstalling the app.
If the app is in the Trash, try dragging it from the Trash to your Applications folder. Then try using the service again.
If the app isn’t compatible with your Mac, you may need to install an updated version of the app or of macOS.