CREATE AND INSERT PDF FILES

What is a PDF file?

Adobe invented the portable document file format (PDF) to enable computer users to create documents that retain their original appearance and formatting, regardless of the computer platform used to view them.

Adobe Acrobat Reader software is free. (Macintosh and Windows versions available)

How Can I create a PDF file?

Adobe sells software, called Acrobat, which allows users to convert any document (including an entire website) into a pdf file. Acrobat is commercial software, and a discount is available for educational licensing.

Much cheaper options for creating pdf files are:

• For Macintosh users: "PrintToPDF" is a printer driver extension that allows most documents (including ones with graphics) to be converted into PDF format. PrintToPDF is not as robust or powerful as Adobe Acrobat, but works very well for most documents.
  • Shareware price: $20
  • Download at http://www.jwwalker.com/pages/pdf.html
• For Windows users: "Simple-PDF" has similar features as "PrintToPDF," but is not as sophisticated. It is more difficult to create pdf files from documents with inserted graphics, but it converts text files to pdf format handily.
  • Shareware price: $20
  • Download at http://www.archsfa.com/tangent/simplepdf/

FREE PDF file creation:

• Convert a Microsoft Office file (or some other file formats specified on the website) into a pdf file FOR FREE using this website from Adobe: http://createpdf.adobe.com/

Insert a PDF file into a webpage

1. Move the pdf file you have created with one of the techniques discussed above into your website folder.
2. Make sure the filename ends in ".pdf" and it conforms to the same naming conventions as a webpage (no special characters, no spaces, etc.)
3. Type the text you want to use or insert an image you want to use as link for the pdf file.
4. Highlight the text and/or image, and click on the link editor button ().
5. Click on the BROWSE FILES button in link editor window () and double click on your pdf file.
6. Close the link editor.

When visitors to your website click on the link you have created, their web browser should be configured to automatically either display your pdf file within the browser using installed plug-ins, or launch Adobe Acrobat Reader software to display the document.

It is a good idea to post a link to the download site for Adobe Acrobat Reader software on the webpage containing links to your pdf files:

• http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readermain.html
• You can also include Adobe's Acrobat Reader download graphic, if desired:
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Targets/Anchors | Tables | Images | Multimedia | Javascript Rollover Images | Frames | PDFs | HyperStudio: | Guestbook | Uploading http://www.wtvi.com/html

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