Portable Document Format (PDF)
PDF (Portable Document Format) is an exact on-screen representation of the printed version of a document. Electronic journal articles are often available in this format.
Documents stored in PDF are printer-friendly.
Reading PDF files
You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader software installed on your computer to read documents stored in PDF. If you are using a networked computer on campus the software will launch automatically.
Click on the link to the PDF file. There may be a short delay before the file will open. If you see a dialogue box asking whether you want to Open it or Save it to Disk, click on "Open it" and click on OK.
If you are using your own computer off-campus you may need to download a free copy of Adobe Acrobat.
Viewing and printing PDF files
To adjust your view of the contents of the document select a different percentage size by clicking on the downward arrow next to the percentage box.
To print a copy of the PDF document click on the print icon within Adobe Acrobat Reader instead of the browser print icon.