How to Convert XPS to PDF on a Mac

macOS has no built-in XPS support. Apple Preview cannot open .xps or .oxps files, and Quick Look shows no preview — just a blank icon. If someone has sent you an XPS document, you have two practical options: install LibreOffice and export to PDF, or convert the file online without installing anything.

This guide covers both routes, with the online converter as the faster option for occasional files.

Why Preview can't open XPS files

Preview handles a wide range of formats — PDF, TIFF, JPEG, PNG, SVG — but XPS is not one of them. XPS (XML Paper Specification) is a Microsoft format built on the Windows print pipeline, and Apple never shipped a decoder for it. There is no Quick Look plugin included with macOS either, so the Finder gives you nothing. Adobe Acrobat Reader is equally unhelpful: it does not open XPS.

The practical result is that any XPS file on your Mac requires an active conversion step before it becomes usable. Once converted to PDF, it opens in Preview, Safari, Chrome, and every other tool you'd expect.

Option 1: Convert online (no installation)

The converter on this page accepts .xps and .oxps files up to 25 MB. Drop your file into the upload area, select PDF, and click Convert. The PDF downloads directly to your Mac — open it straight away in Preview or save it to iCloud Drive.

Files are transferred over HTTPS and deleted from the server within 60 minutes. No account is needed and there is no watermark on the output.

Option 2: LibreOffice (offline, free)

LibreOffice 4.4 (released 2015) and later versions include a read-only XPS importer. This gives you an offline route that never sends your file anywhere:

1. Download and install LibreOffice from libreoffice.org if you do not already have it.
2. Open LibreOffice Writer (or Draw), then choose File → Open and select your .xps file.
3. LibreOffice opens the document in read-only mode. Choose File → Export As → Export as PDF…
4. Accept the defaults and click Export. Save the PDF wherever you need it.

Rendering quality is generally good for text-heavy documents, but complex vector art or embedded fonts may look slightly different from the original.

Which route suits your situation

For a one-off file, the online converter is faster — no software to install and no disk space used. LibreOffice makes more sense if you process XPS files regularly or if the document is confidential and should not leave your Mac. Both routes produce a standard PDF that opens on any device.

If you need the output as individual page images rather than a PDF, the converter also offers a JPG option — see Convert XPS to JPG on Mac for that workflow.

Frequently asked questions

Can Preview open XPS files on a Mac?

No. Apple Preview does not support XPS or OXPS. You need to convert the file first — either using the online converter on this page or with LibreOffice 4.4 or later.

Does LibreOffice open OXPS files as well as XPS?

The LibreOffice XPS importer handles both .xps and .oxps formats. Windows 8 and later create .oxps by default, so this matters if your document came from a modern Windows machine.

Is Acrobat Pro able to convert XPS to PDF on a Mac?

No. Adobe Acrobat (both Reader and Pro) does not open XPS files on any platform. The online converter or LibreOffice are the practical routes on macOS.

Will the text in my XPS file be selectable in the PDF?

Yes. The converter re-renders the document and preserves selectable, searchable text in the PDF output. It does not flatten to a bitmap.

What is the file size limit for the online converter?

Each file can be up to 25 MB. You can convert up to 20 files in a single batch.

Last updated: June 2026