How to convert currencies on a Mac

Currency converter

If you write or edit copy (articles), you probably have to convert money sometimes from pounds to euros to dollars for your target audience.

Macs come with a calculator application pre-installed. If you don't have it in your Dock (the semi-transparent strip with applications at the bottom of the screen), find it in Applications folder and drag to the Dock to have it handy. Among various calculations it can do there is Convert which includes currencies and exchange rate updater.

An even easier converter is included in the standard set of Dashboard widgets. Click on the Dashboard icon in the Dock, click plus sign and find the Currency Converter widget, add it to your Dashboard. Now the cool thing about this widget is that it allows you to type in the sum you want converted in the source currency and instantly have the corresponding sum in other windows of the widget. Add whatever currencies you have to deal with more often – and make your life a lot easier.

Calculator's convert menu

And if you can't find the € symbol – it's Option+2 (Option key is the one between Control and Command, Command key is the one with apple and the little 'chateau' sign).