.PDF File Extension
Portable Document Format File
| Developer | Adobe Systems |
| Popularity |
4.0 | 4782 Votes |
What is a PDF file?
A PDF file is a multi-platform document created by Adobe Acrobat or another PDF application. The PDF format is commonly used for saving documents and publications in a standard format that can be viewed on multiple platforms. In many cases, PDF files are created from existing documents instead of from scratch.
More Information
You may encounter PDF files in a variety of ways, whether it be downloading a document from a website or receiving a document from a co-worker or friend via email. The files may contain text, images, forms, annotations, outlines, and other document-related data. PDF files also preserve fonts and formatting electronically across multiple platforms and appear the same on the screen as when printed on paper.
A wide variety of programs may be used to create PDF files, 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. In Windows, select or click the printer icon to open the Print dialog. Then, select "Print to PDF" in the "Destination" dropdown menu and click . In macOS, select from the application's menu, then choose "Save as PDF" from the PDF dropdown menu in the lower-left corner of 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, Nitro Pro, and Smile PDFpenPro, can convert PDF files to other formats.
Adobe Acrobat can convert PDF files to the following formats:
- .DOCX, .DOC - Word Document
- .XLSX - Excel Spreadsheet
- .PPTX - PowerPoint Presentation
- .JPEG - JPEG Image
- .PNG - PNG Image
- .TIFF - TIFF Image
- .HTML - HTML Webpage
Adobe also provides free online PDF to Word, PDF to Excel, PDF to PowerPoint, and PDF to JPG converters.