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FIU Digital Project Guidelines and Help Materials

The internal standard operating procedures for FIU Libraries' digital collections

Adobe Acrobat Pro

Adobe Acrobat Pro is a versatile and widely used PDF editing and management software with robust Optical Character Recognition (OCR) capabilities. This tool allows users to convert scanned documents and images into searchable and editable PDFs, making it helpful for handling text-based resources in a digital format. Compared to Adobe Acrobat Standard, Acrobat Pro offers enhanced features such as advanced OCR processing, task automation, and accessibility tools.

Adobe Acrobat Pro is available on several computers in the Digital Scholar Studio and the Digital Collections Center. If you are new to the software or would like to maximize its potential for your projects, staff can arrange training sessions.

Why choose Acrobat for your project?

Strengths

  • User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive and well-organized tools make it accessible for users at any skill level.
  • Batch Processing: Allows for efficient OCR processing and file conversions of multiple files using scripts and automation tools.
  • Integrated PDF Management: Combines OCR capabilities with essential PDF tools like editing, annotation, accessibility, and security features.
  • Preserves Formatting: Retains the original layout, fonts, and formatting during the OCR process.
  • Integration: Works well with the Adobe ecosystem, enabling easy collaboration and file sharing.

Limitations

  • Difficult Text Editing: Editing recognized text can be more cumbersome compared to other OCR tools that allow for direct modification and rekeying.
  • Limited Multilingual OCR: Processing documents with multiple languages in a single file can be more complex.
  • Steeper Learning Curve for Advanced Features: Basic functions are straightforward, but scripting and automation tools require additional learning.
  • Resource Intensive: May run slower when processing large or complex documents, compared to other OCR tools.