How to Summarize an Article on Mac

In this world of information overload, online article summaries can be very convenient. Few people realize that Mac OSX has an Apple summarize tool that will condense text. It's greatly beneficial to the 100 million+ Mac users worldwide. However, the OSX feature isn’t the only option. This article will discuss how to summarize an article on Mac covering all bases. 

How to Summarize a Text on Mac with AI

Chat GPT

Those wondering how to summarize on Mac may try various AI platforms. Several AI tools allow you to summarize on Mac, but Chat GPT may be the most accessible and easiest to use. Here’s how it’s done. 

First, select the text you want to summarize and copy and paste it into the Chat GPT text box. Ask the platform to create a summary of the text.

For example, I pasted a large article of around 2000 words into the system (see image below). I prompted the system to “summarize text”. 

The AI returned a summary that condensed the entire article into a short paragraph you can check out in the screenshot below. 

If you want a more comprehensive summary, prompt the system accordingly. For example, I used Chat AI to summarize the same article again, but this time I wrote: “Provide a comprehensive summary”. Here are the results.

Summary of Features/ Review

• Easy of Use: Chat GPT is an extremely convenient Macbook summarize tool. You can access it on the web for free. You can input any text in the system. You can also tailor your prompts to get the desired results. 
• Cost: The platform is free to use although premium plans are available. 
• Summary Quality: The system summarizes content well and can be tailored to your needs.

WonderShare PDF Element 

Wondershare PDF Element is another AI Mac summarize text option. It will summarize existing PDFs on your desktop. If you want it to summarize any other type of content, copy and paste it into a PDF before entering it into the system. 

The first step in using PDF Element is downloading it to your computer. It will take you through a series of windows for setup purposes. Be sure to activate the summarize function. 

Then you will get to the main window which looks like this (see image below). Click the “summarize PDF” link to start summarizing. 

Upon clicking the button, the system will browse your files, enabling you to upload your PDF file. When using the system for the first time, you must access the "tools" option in the toolbar. 

Then select the “AI assistant” to access the AI summarize command. Once these settings are enabled, the system will automatically generate summaries for any PDF file you upload.

Summary of Features/ Review

• Ease of Use Wondershare PDF Element is one of the easiest downloadable AI Mac summarize tools to work with. Its intuitive system allows for a seamless setup. However, the download is an additional step. It also only works with PDFs. 
• Cost The system is free to download, but premium versions are available. 
• Summary Quality: The platform creates concise, quality summaries. 

Elephas

Elephas is another downloadable AI Mac summarize tool. Its interface is similar to ChatGPT in that you can copy and paste any text into the textbox for summarizing purposes. 

After downloading it, you will see elephant icons on the upper right-hand screen of your Mac. Click on the icon to access the drop-down menu. Then click on “Content” and “Summarize”. 

A window will open allowing you to enter your text. It will automatically summarize the text and provide results. 

Summary of Features/Review

• Ease of Use: Elephas offers an easy-to-use interphase window. However, the setup process can be challenging. It may take a moment to notice that the Elephant icon on the upper right-hand screen of my computer is the main ‘control board’. However, once the system opened, it was very accessible. Unlike other downloadable AI summarize tools, it will summarize any content you cut and paste into the system. 
• Cost: Free and premium plans are available. 
• Summary Quality: Elephas summaries are clear and concise. 

UPDF

UPDF is another AI summarize feature available on Mac. As the name suggests, it summarizes PDFs only. 

After downloading the platform, you will see a screen prompting you to select a PDF file. Select a file from your computer. 

Then go to the top left-hand side of your computer screen ensuring you are still in the UPDF platform. 

Click on “Edit” and scroll down to “Select All’. 

A toolbar will pop up on your screen. You will see the command for summarize on the far left. 

Click “Summarize” and the platform will immediately begin summarizing your content. 

Summary of Features/Review

• Ease of Use: This platform may confuse non-tech-savvy users. It can take a moment to figure out that the system must be operated from the desktop toolbar as opposed to the app toolbar. You must also hit ‘select all’ to access the summarize function. It’s also limited in that it only summarizes PDFs. However, once you get used to it, it can function as a reliable summarize feature on Mac. 
• Cost: Free and premium services are available. 
• Quality of Summaries: The system creates well-contained, comprehensive summaries.

How to Summarize an Article on Mac Using the Built-in System

You may also use the Macbook summarize tool that’s built into the system. You can access it without downloading anything. Here’s how it works.

Go to System Preferences and click on “Keyboard”.

Navigate to “Shortcuts and then “Services”. A window will open allowing you to click on “Summarize”. 

Click “Done” to activate the summarize feature on your Mac. 

Find the text you want to summarize and enter it into either Pages, Text Edit, or Apple Notes. 

Highlight the text you want summarized on your document. Select larger blocks of text. Smaller blocks won’t summarize. 

Stay within your app settings (do not click on the Desktop) and scroll to the toolbar on the top left-hand side of your computer. Click on “Services” and Summarize”. 

The system will summarize the highlighted text as follows: 

Summary of Features/ Review

• Ease of Use: It’s great that Mac has a built-in summarize tool. However, it is difficult to access considering the extensive setup. It also only works with Pages, Text Edit, and Apple Notes which aren’t widely used apps. 
• Cost: Mac’s built-in summarize feature is free. 
• Quality of Summaries: The built-in tool creates quality summaries. 

Mac Summarize Tool Option Review

Conclusion

Now you know how to summarize an article on Mac. There are various systems available including AI or Mac’s built-in too. Which will you use to simplify your research?