The PDF file format is a common internet file
format (PDF stands for Portable Document Format).
It's used for electronic distribution because
it faithfully preserves the look and feel of the original document
complete with fonts, colours, images, and layout. It also can be
used across many different types of computers and browsers. It
is commonly used for government publications, leaflets and forms.
Opening PDF files
To open a PDF file you have two options. You can
download a program called Acrobat Reader and install it onto your
computer. The program is available free of charge from the Adobe
Acrobat site. Because the download is large - typically between
8MB and 16MB - you may find it easier to find a copy of the program
on one of the CDs distributed by computer magazines.
The second option is to use an online PDF
conversion tool. You can visit the Adobe Acrobat website, type
in the address of a PDF file and get it to translate the file into
a more readable format while you wait. Or you can email the address
of the file (or the file itself) to Adobe, and they will email
a translation back. These translations of the files may not be
as clearly formatted as the original PDF file.
PDF files and browsers
You can configure your web browser to open PDF
files either within the browser window or in a separate Adobe Acrobat
window. There are detailed instructions on the Acrobat website
on how to do so for different browsers.
Are PDF files accessible?
PDF file standards have improved over the years
and have become more accessible through technologies like screen
readers, navigation through the keyboard and enhanced screen viewing.
The Adobe site provides information on how best to use these features.
How do I search a PDF file?
When you open a PDF file an Acrobat toolbar will
appear, featuring a number of tools to help you view and search
the document. Running your mouse over the icons, without clicking,
will tell you what each of them does. The Search tool will search
the document for a word or phrase.
Alternatives to Adobe Acrobat Reader
Adobe Acrobat Reader is by far the most popular
PDF viewer but there are several other viewers available for download
that will allow you to view and print PDF documents on a variety
of platforms and systems. The following sites may help:
Find out more about using
pdf files:
PDF Files are blank inside the web browser
Some versions of Internet Explorer can experience
problems when viewing PDF documents. This includes pages appearing
blank or the browser locking up completely.
Try clicking on the link to the PDF file you want
to see with your right mouse button. This will bring up a small menu
- if you select Save Target As from this you will be able to save the
file and open it inside or outside the browser.
In Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or later:
- Right-click (Windows) or hold down the
mouse button (Mac OS) on the link to the PDF file, and then choose Save
Target As from the pop-up menu.
- In the Save As dialog box, specify a name
and location for the PDF file, and then click Save.
- Choose File Open and click Browse.
- Choose All Files from the Files Of Type
pop-up menu.
- Select the pdf file you saved in step
2 and click Open
The Acrobat viewer should open the PDF file inside
the browser window.
Disabling Browser Integration
As more permanent workaround you can disable browser
integration from within Adobe Acrobat, to do this you need to open
the Adobe Acrobat Reader :
In Adobe Acrobat:
- Choose File Preferences and click General.
- Uncheck the Web Browser Integration option.
When you select links to PDF files on the web they
will now open directly in Adobe Reader (outside the web browser).
Printing problems
If you experience problems in printing PDF files.
Click on the save icon in the Adobe Acrobat window and Save the file
to your hard disk. Reopen from here and print.
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