Adobe Acrobat

How to use Acrobat Reader to read and print Portable Document Format (pdf) files

Portable Document Format (pdf) files can be read (viewed) and printed using the Adobe Acrobat Reader.

This page provides you with the following information:

• How to read a pdf file if Adobe Acrobat Reader is already installed on you computer;
• What to do if the software is installed, but you are unable to read the document;
• What to do if the software is not installed on your computer;
• Tips on viewing documents;
• How to print a pdf file.

How to read a pdf file

If Adobe Acrobat Reader is already installed on your computer:

If this software is installed on your computer, then clicking on the name of the pdf file that you want to read will launch the software automatically and the document will appear on your screen.

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If you have the software on your computer but you are unable to read the document:

You may not have the latest version of the Adobe Acrobat Reader and you will need to install it (see below).

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If Adobe Acrobat Reader is NOT installed on your computer or you need a later version of the Adobe Acrobat Reader software:

TWO STEPS to perform:

1. Download

2. Install it (through File Manager or Window Explorer)

Step One : Download - the software is free and you can download it yourself.

1. You can download the Reader from the Adobe website by clicking the 'Get Acrobat Reader' button. Select the appropriate version of Adobe Acrobat Reader from the Adobe website and download.

Step Two: To install the software

1. Exit your browser (Netscape, Explorer, etc).

2. Find the file you downloaded using Windows Explorer.

3. Double click on that file.

4. Follow install instructions as they appear on the screen.

5. Once installed - close the window.

6. You now have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your system. You can open your browser and read the pdf files.

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Tips on viewing documents

Moving around the document

You can use the scroll bars at the side or the forward and back buttons on the bar above the document to move around the document.

Enlarging or reducing the size of the text in the document

If you want to enlarge the text or a chart, you can click on the magnifying glass that has a plus sign then click in the area of the document you want enlarged. To decrease the size of the text or a chart, you can click on the magnifying glass that has a minus sign then click in the area of the document you want reduced. To return to the original size, use the magnifying glass (e.g., if you have reduced the size and want to go back to original size, then click on the magnifying glass with the plus sign then click in the document). When you have finished with the magnifying glasses, you can click on the hand symbol.

Appearance of patterns in charts

When displaying charts, some of the patterns may not look right - this is because of the screen resolution on your computer. They should be fine when you print the document. You can get a closer look at charts (or anything else in the document) by using the magnifying glass (see above).

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How to print a pdf file

To print, click on the printer icon - this is the icon on the left in the bar just above the document. You can also print using the Netscape print command if you prefer. Whichever method you use, the printed document will look the same.

REMEMBER to use the 'shrink to fit' option (on the print dialogue box). If you forget to do this, the print may be huge on the printed document!

To print the entire document, on the print dialog box that appears when you click on the printer icon, check that all the pages are indicated for printing (this is the default) then just click on the OK button.

To print part of the document, on the print dialog box that appears when you click on the printer icon, indicate the pages to be printed then just click on the OK button.

To change various printer settings, such as the orientation of the paper (landscape or portrait), on the print dialog box, click on the set-up button and make the changes you want, click OK then click OK on the print dialog box.