What is a PDF file & how do I open a PDF file (Portable Document Format File)?

.PDF (Portable Document Format File) - File Extension

Editors' rating:
(3.9/5)
Developer: Adobe Systems
File format: Binary

What is a PDF file?

A PDF (Portable Document Format) file is a type of document that is designed to be viewable on any device, regardless of the operating system or software used to open it.

PDF files are commonly used for documents that need to be shared and printed, such as resumes, reports, and manuals, because they maintain the original formatting of the document and ensure that it looks the same on every device.

PDF files can also have interactive parts like links, buttons, and form fields, which makes them a popular choice for online forms and documents.

More information

PDF files are a common format for documents that need to be shared electronically because they can be easily opened and viewed on any device, and maintain the original formatting of the document.

You can download PDF files from websites or receive them as email attachments. You can also create PDF files from other types of documents, such as Word or Excel files, using a PDF conversion tool. Once you have a PDF file, you can view it using a PDF reader program, such as Adobe Acrobat Reader.

PDF files can be used for a variety of purposes, including:

  • Sharing documents with others: PDF files are a convenient and portable way to share documents with others because they maintain the original formatting of the document and can be easily opened on any device.
  • Printing documents: PDF files are commonly used for documents that need to be printed because they maintain the original formatting and ensure that the document looks the same on every printer.
  • Creating online forms: PDF files can include interactive elements, such as links, buttons, and form fields, making them a popular choice for creating online forms.
  • Storing documents electronically: PDF files are a good choice for storing documents electronically because they take up less space than other file formats and can be easily shared and accessed on different devices.

PDF files are a versatile and widely used format for sharing and storing documents electronically.

How to open a PDF file

The PDF file format requires the use of a dedicated PDF reader application. Most computers come with a PDF reader program pre-installed, such as Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you don’t have a PDF reader program installed, you can download one for free from the internet.

Once you have a PDF reader program installed, you can open a PDF file by double-clicking on it in your file manager (such as Windows Explorer or Finder on Mac). This will launch the PDF reader program and open the PDF file. Alternatively, you can open the PDF reader program and use its “Open” or “Import” option to select and open the PDF file you want to view.

Once the PDF file is open in the PDF reader program, you can use the program’s tools to view, navigate, and interact with the PDF file. This may include options such as zooming in and out, scrolling through the document, and clicking on links or buttons within the PDF file.

How to convert a PDF file

To convert a PDF file to another format, you will need a PDF conversion tool. There are many PDF conversion tools available, both as desktop software and as online tools. Some popular PDF conversion tools include Adobe Acrobat, Nitro PDF, and Smallpdf.

To use a PDF conversion tool, first open the PDF file you want to convert in the PDF reader program. Then, use the PDF reader’s “Export” or “Save As” option to save the PDF file in the format you want to convert it to. This may include formats such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or image files.

Alternatively, you can use an online PDF conversion tool. To do this, go to the website of the online PDF conversion tool and follow the instructions to upload the PDF file you want to convert. Then, select the format you want to convert the PDF file to and click on the “Convert” button. The online PDF conversion tool will convert the PDF file and allow you to download the converted file.

Keep in mind that when you convert a PDF file to another format, the resulting file may not look exactly the same as the original PDF file. This is because the formatting and layout of the PDF file may not translate perfectly to the new format. However, most PDF conversion tools will preserve the text and basic formatting of the original PDF file.

Adobe free tools

Adobe offers a range of online PDF conversion tools that allow you to convert PDF files to different formats, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and JPG. These online PDF conversion tools are free to use and can be accessed through Adobe’s website.

To use Adobe’s online PDF conversion tools, go to the Adobe website and click on “PDF to Word” or other conversion tool you want to use. Then, follow the instructions to upload the PDF file you want to convert and select the format you want to convert it to. Once the PDF file is converted, Adobe will allow you to download the converted file.

Adobe’s online PDF conversion tools are easy to use and allow you to quickly convert PDF files to a variety of different formats. They are a convenient option if you don’t have access to a PDF conversion tool on your computer.

Software Compatible With The PDF File Type
Portable Document Format File

In this section you will find a list of the best programs compatible with the PDF file type. We've selected the best software for Windows, Mac, Android and Linux to open, edit, convert and view the contents of PDF files.