PDF FAQ: A Brief Introduction to the Portable Document Format

Florida International University Libraries

User Assistance / Library Instruction

PDF FAQ:
A Brief Introduction to the Portable Document Format

What is PDF?

The Portable Document Format (PDF), developed by Adobe Systems Inc., is a computer file format designed to publish and distribute electronic documents. PDF is related to the Postscript language, and may be used with text, image, and/or multimedia files. PDF files may be found either online -- on the Internet, or in your PC -- on a disk or CD-ROM. PDF files may be created and used on most any type of computer -- Windows, Macintosh, UNIX, or OS/2.

Unlike other electronic file formats such as HTML, the Portable Document Format preserves the exact layout, font attributes, and formatting of the document from which it was created, ensuring that the electronic version of a document appears just like the original.

Why do I need to know about PDF?

PDF has become a popular format for producing and delivering electronic files on and off the Web. The FIU Libraries provide various resources in PDF format, including electronic reserves, electronic journals (including the Elsevier collection), government documents, and more. On the Web, users may find a number of other valuable electronic resources in PDF format -- annual reports, grant application guidelines and forms, theses and dissertations, and various other types of digital information.

How do I use PDF files?

To view, navigate and print a PDF file, you must have loaded on your computer one of the Adobe Acrobat products. Acrobat is a collection of computer applications that allow users to create, modify, or use PDF files. Included in this collection are such programs as Acrobat Exchange, Distiller, PDF Writer, Acrobat Catalog, Acrobat Reader and PDF Viewer. At the very minimum, your computer needs to have a current version of a PDF viewer, a free program available for most any computer platform. The viewer comes in two versions -- PDF Viewer and Acrobat Reader. The programs differ as follows:

PDF Viewer: Allows you to view a PDF document "inline" -- that is, within the browser window. Usually comes with your Web browser software, and is automatically installed in the "Plugins" folder.
Acrobat Reader: Allows you to view a PDF document in a window separate from the Web browser. Set up Acrobat Reader as a helper application with your browser's "Preferences". Reader will then launch and display any PDF file linked on the Web. Acrobat Reader is available at no cost from the Adobe web page.

For assistance in setting up Acrobat Reader as a helper application, please refer to your browser's documentation or visit the Acrobat help section.

For a list of features available from both the PDF Viewer and the Acrobat Reader, please refer to "Key to Symbols on Acrobat Reader Toolbar".

What if I want to edit or produce a PDF file?

For capabilities not supported by Acrobat Reader or PDF Viewer (e.g., removing/inserting pages, changing page order, and more), you will need to have the program Adobe Exchange. And to create a PDF document, you may also need to use Distiller, PDF Writer, or Capture. Further information about these programs may be found on the Adobe Web page.

Okay, I want to get started...what should I do next?

Make sure you have the PDF Viewer or Acrobat Reader installed and configured on your computer . If you are having difficulty viewing a PDF file from a computer in the library, please consult with a staff member at the Reference Desk.

Where can I get additional help or information for using PDF's?

The following resources may be helpful to users and creators of PDF documents.

Adobe Acrobat Web Page

Acrobat Reader Tutorial

Internet Publishing with Acrobat

Key to symbols on Acrobat Reader toolbar

Print Print