What is a PDF file?

PDF stands for Portable Document Format. PDF files are the easiest way to share documents electronically over the internet. Using Adobe Acrobat allows the College to convert any document into an PDF file, with its original appearance preserved, and then distribute it for viewing and printing over the internet. You will see and print the file exactly as it was designed even though you don’t have the original program on which it was created.

However, you need the Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to view or print PDF documents.

How do I get Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on my computer?

If you do not already have Adobe Acrobat Reader, it is available for free by downloading it from the Adobe Home Page or by clicking on the link below. Follow Adobe’s instructions for downloading and installing the program. If you have any difficulties downloading the Reader, Adobe’s Web site offers customer support.

How do I open a PDF file?

To open a PDF file simply click on the link to the file. (If this does not work, see ‘Problems viewing or printing PDF files’ below.)

How do I download a PDF file to my hard drive?

If you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer, right-click on the file’s hyperlink and select ‘Save Target As’. Then save the document in the directory of your choice.

If you are using Firefox, right-click on the hyperlink and select ‘Save Link As’. Then save the document in the directory of your choice.

If you are using Safari, right-click on the hyperlink and select ‘Download Linked File As’. Then save the document in the directory of your choice.

Once you have saved the file to disk you can open it anytime using the Acrobat Reader, even when you are off-line.

Problems viewing or printing PDF files

If you are having problems opening PDF files it is most likely due to how Acrobat is configured to work with the Web browser you are using. Please see Adobe’s on-line Customer Support section (www.adobe.com/support) for help using Acrobat.

Firewalls and filters

If you are accessing the internet at work, there may be firewalls or filters in place that prevent you from downloading files of a certain size from the internet or printing files of a certain size to your printer. Contact your system administrator or technical support for more information.