Updated: 1/28/02

What is Adobe .pdf format?
How do I install Acrobat Reader?
How do I navigate with Acrobat Reader?

What is Adobe .pdf format?

An Adobe Portable Document Format (.pdf) file is a self-contained cross-platform document that will look the same on the screen and in print no matter what kind of computer or printer someone is using or what software package was originally used to create it. Although .pdf files contain the complete formatting of the original document, including fonts and images, they are highly compressed, allowing complex information to be downloaded efficiently.

To view, navigate, and print .pdf files, you need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader software installed on your computer.

How do I install Acrobat Reader?

Adobe Acrobat Reader is relatively easy to download and install. It works on most platforms, including Windows and Mac. You can download a free Adobe Acrobat Reader by selecting the icon below:

Select the "Get Acrobat" icon (above) to go to the installation page on the Adobe site.
Scroll down to the bottom of their installation page to the three steps:

Step One: Choose the platform. This refers to your computer's operating system (e.g., Windows 95, Mac OS 9.x, etc.) If you aren't sure what operating system you have: If you have a PC, you can right-click the "My Computer" icon. Select Properties. On the General tab, the first item is System: and the name of your operating system. If you have a Mac, up at the top of the screen on the menu bar is the Apple Icon. Click on it and select "About this computer."

Step Two: You do not have to complete this step.

Step Three: Start download.

1. A window opens up asking if you want to run this program from its current location or save it to disk. Select save it to disk.
2. When it asks where to save it, save it to your desktop (so you can easily find it for the installation step).
3. A couple of minutes later (depending on your computer's speed), the download will be complete and there will be a new icon on your desktop. Close all your open programs, then double-click on the new icon. A window will briefly open, telling you it is unpacking the Acrobat Reader, then a new window will open, taking you to setup.
4. Select a destination folder. The default is C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat. You can browse for a new location or just leave the default. The installation will continue.
5. When it has finished the installation, it will ask you if you want to restart your computer now or later.

Congratulations! You've successfully installed Acrobat Reader. The first time you select a .pdf document, the Reader will launch and take you to the End User agreement. Read through it, then accept or decline as appropriate. If you have accepted the agreement, you may now view, navigate, and print documents in .pdf format.

How do I navigate a document with Acrobat Reader?