What is OSM?
OSM files carry raw OpenStreetMap data. They are great for downstream tooling, but not fun to inspect as raw XML or generic files.
Fastest way to open OSM on Mac
Select the OSM file in Finder and press Space. GeoPreview turns raw map data into something you can review visually before moving into a larger OSM or GIS workflow.
Quick check before you use the file
Before you send it on or open a bigger GIS project, GeoPreview helps you confirm:
- whether the dataset covers the area you expect
- which layers or structures appear in the package
- bounds and metadata before you load another GIS tool
Alternative tools
QGIS and specialized OSM tools make sense once you need deeper editing or processing. For a quick local inspection, GeoPreview is the faster first stop.
Need to convert or export it?
If you need another format, GeoPreview can handle supported exports after you confirm the coverage and structure. If export is not available for that file yet, you can still inspect it quickly in Finder.
