Fluent Search includes a powerful Preview system that lets you inspect results without opening external applications. View documents, images, web pages, code files, audio, folder contents, and more — right inside the Fluent Search interface.

How to use Preview

Opening Preview inline

Fluent Search Window
  • Press Alt + P (default) to toggle the preview panel inside the Fluent Search window
  • Or click the preview icon in the top-right corner

Opening Preview in a separate window

  • Press Shift + Enter to open the current result's preview in its own floating window
  • This is useful when you want to keep the preview visible while you continue searching

Automatic Preview

You can configure rules to automatically show previews for certain result types:

  1. Go to Settings → Preview → Interactions
  2. Add rules for which result types should automatically trigger preview (for example, always preview images or Markdown files)

Additional preview interaction settings:

Setting Description Default
Keep preview open Keep the preview window open even when Fluent Search loses focus Off
Open preview with Fluent Search Automatically open the preview panel when the search window opens Off
Open at screen center Position the preview window at the center of the screen Off
Download offline files Download cloud-only files (for example, OneDrive placeholders) for local preview Off
Preview in File Explorer Press Space to preview the selected file in File Explorer, similar to macOS Quick Look Off

Preview Modules

Fluent Search Window

Fluent Search includes several built-in preview modules. Each can be individually enabled or disabled, and configured to auto-preview matching results.

Native Preview

Uses Windows' built-in preview handlers — the same technology as File Explorer's preview pane. Best for:

  • Microsoft Office documents (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
  • PDF files
  • Visio diagrams
  • Other file types with registered Windows preview handlers

Web Preview

Loads web pages in a built-in Microsoft Edge WebView. Fully interactive — you can scroll, click links, and browse the page as you would in a real browser.

Configuration options:

  • Show mobile websites — Request mobile-optimized versions of web pages (default: On)
  • Improve performance — Use more memory for smoother web rendering
  • Open links in browser — Clicked links open in your default browser instead of the preview
  • Zoom level — Adjust the default zoom factor (range: 0.15× to 3×)
  • Browser extensions — Load unpacked browser extensions into the preview for enhanced functionality (for example, ad blockers)

Images

Displays image files with zoom and interaction support. Supports common formats including PNG, JPG, JFIF, SVG, GIF, and more.

Audio

Play audio files directly within Fluent Search. Includes controls for play, pause, and seek. Optionally auto-plays audio files when previewed.

Text Files

Previews text-based files with syntax highlighting powered by TextMate grammars. Supports code files, Markdown, JSON, XML, and more.

Configuration options:

  • Theme — Choose a syntax highlighting color theme (default: "Plus")
  • Font — Select a preview font (default: JetBrains Mono)
  • Font size — Adjust text size (range: 6–30, default: 12)
  • Word wrap — Toggle line wrapping (default: On)
  • Line numbers — Show line numbers in the margin (default: Off)

File Manager (Folder Explorer)

Previews folders in an explorer-style interface with two view modes:

  • Icons view — Grid of file/folder icons
  • Details view — Detailed list with sizes and dates

You can interact with folder contents directly from the preview.

Folder Details

Shows metadata and information about folders.

Preview providers

Fluent Search supports two preview providers:

  • Fluent Search (default) — Uses the built-in preview modules described above
  • QuickLook — Integration with the QuickLook application, if installed. QuickLook provides its own preview UI and supports additional file types

To switch providers: Settings → Preview → Modules.

Configuring Preview

  1. Go to Settings → Preview → Modules
  2. Enable or disable individual preview modules
  3. Configure auto-preview settings for each module to control which results automatically show a preview
  4. Adjust module-specific settings (font, theme, zoom, etc.)

By using Preview effectively, you can verify results at a glance, reduce unnecessary application switching, and keep your workflow moving without interruption.