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PDF File - What is a .pdf file and how do I open it?
Learn about .PDF files and view a list of programs that open them.
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Overview
What is a PDF file? A PDF file is a widely used document type that maintains the original layout and formatting across different devices and operating systems. It is often used for sharing documents, such as reports, contracts, manuals, or forms, ensuring that the content appears the same for all users. PDF files can include text, images, annotations, and even interactive elements (e.g., buttons and checkboxes), and users typically create them from other file formats, such as Word .DOCX documents, Excel .XLSX spreadsheets, and images.
More Information PDF file open in Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2021 You may encounter PDF files in various ways, whether downloading a document from a website or receiving a document from a co-worker or friend as an email attachment. PDF files also preserve fonts and formatting electronically across multiple platforms and appear the same on the screen as when printed on paper. Creating PDF files You may create PDF files with various programs, including word processors, image editors, and PDF file utilities like Adobe Acrobat. You may also create PDF files from documents using the Print dialog in Windows and macOS. For example, in Windows, you can select File → Print... or click the printer icon to open the Print dialog within an application. Then, select Microsoft Print to PDF from the list of available printers in the Print dialog box and click Print to create the PDF file. In macOS, you can choose Print... from the application's File menu, and then select Save as PDF... from the PDF dropdown menu in the window. NOTE: View the PDF definition for more information.
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What is a PDF file?
A PDF file is a widely used document type that maintains the original layout and formatting across different devices and operating systems. It is often used for sharing documents, such as reports, contracts, manuals, or forms, ensuring that the content appears the same for all users. PDF files can include text, images, annotations, and even interactive elements (e.g., buttons and checkboxes), and users typically create them from other file formats, such as Word .DOCX documents, Excel .XLSX spreadsheets, and images.
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PDF file open in Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2021
You may encounter PDF files in various ways, whether downloading a document from a website or receiving a document from a co-worker or friend as an email attachment. PDF files also preserve fonts and formatting electronically across multiple platforms and appear the same on the screen as when printed on paper.
Creating PDF files
You may create PDF files with various programs, including word processors, image editors, and PDF file utilities like Adobe Acrobat. You may also create PDF files from documents using the Print dialog in Windows and macOS.
For example, in Windows, you can select File → Print... or click the printer icon to open the Print dialog within an application. Then, select Microsoft Print to PDF from the list of available printers in the Print dialog box and click Print to create the PDF file. In macOS, you can choose Print... from the application's File menu, and then select Save as PDF... from the PDF dropdown menu in the window.
NOTE: View the PDF definition for more information.
How to open a PDF file
You can open and view PDF files with a large number of applications, most notably, Adobe Acrobat Reader (multiplatform) and Adobe Acrobat (multiplatform), which can also edit them. Nitro Pro (Windows) and Smile PDFpenPro (macOS) are other applications that provide PDF viewing and editing capabilities.
Other options for viewing PDF files include Microsoft Word (Windows and macOS), Apple Preview (bundled with macOS), Foxit Reader, and web browsers, such as Google Chrome (multiplatform) and Microsoft Edge (multiplatform), which includes annotation capabilities.
On mobile devices, you can view PDF files with Adobe Reader (Android and iOS), Apple Books (iOS), Apple Pages (iOS), Google Play Books (Android), and in web browsers, such as Chrome and Safari.
How to convert a PDF file
Several applications, including Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Word, Apple Preview, and Nitro Pro, can convert PDF files to other formats.
Adobe Acrobat can convert PDF files to the following formats:
Adobe also provides free online PDF to Word, PDF to Excel, PDF to PowerPoint, and PDF to JPG converters.
Programs that open PDF files
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Pricing
Program Name
Platform
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X
Windows
File Viewer Plus
—
Get it from Microsoft
Free +
Adobe Acrobat DC
Free Trial
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
Free
Microsoft Edge
Free
Microsoft Word 365
Free Trial
Nitro Pro
Free Trial
Foxit Reader
Free
IMSI TurboPDF
Paid
Google Chrome
Free
Mozilla Firefox
Free
Tungsten Power PDF
Free Trial
Icecream PDF Converter
Free Trial
Mac
Adobe Acrobat DC
Free Trial
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
Free
Apple Preview
Included with OS
Microsoft Word 365
Free Trial
Wondershare PDFelement
Free Trial
Apple Safari
Included with OS
Google Chrome
Free
Mozilla Firefox
Free
Tungsten Power PDF
Free Trial
Linux
Adobe Acrobat DC
Free Trial
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
Free
KDE Okular
Free
Evince
Included with OS
PDFedit
Free
Google Chrome
Free
Mozilla Firefox
Free
Web
FileHelper.com
Free
Google Drive
Free +
Microsoft OneDrive
Free Trial
Sedja PDF Editor
Free +
Adobe Convert PDF to Word
Free
Adobe Convert PDF to Excel
Free
Adobe Convert PDF to PowerPoint
Free
Adobe Convert PDF to JPG
Free
iOS
Apple Books
Included with OS
Apple Pages
Free
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Free Trial
Infraware Polaris Office
Free +
Good.iWare GoodReader
Paid
MobiSystems OfficeSuite Pro
Free +
Google Drive
Free +
Microsoft Office
Free +
Android
File Viewer for Android
Free +
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Free +
Google Play Books
Free
Kingsoft WPS Office for Android
Free +
Google Drive
Free +
Microsoft Office
Free +
Category: Page Layout Files
Updated: February 24, 2022