Utilities and PDF Instructions

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U. S. Food and Drug Administration
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition

General Help for Accessing Files on the CFSAN Web Site

PDF Files and Adobe (Acrobat) Reader

Portable Document Format (pdf) files can be seen on the screen (and printed) in the exact format created by the document developer. Adobe (Acrobat) Reader, free software available for Windows, Macintosh, and UNIX systems, is required to read pdf files. If you have not already installed the Adobe (Acrobat) Reader software, you will need to download the most current version appropriate for your computer system from the Adobe website. The Adobe (Acrobat) Reader is freely available to the public and may be redistributed.

On most browsers, the Adobe (Acrobat) Reader can be configured as a Plug-in or Helper Application that will directly open pdf files for viewing and/or printing. However, often the most convenient way to use large pdf files is to download them to your hard disk and open them separately with the Adobe (Acrobat) Reader. To download PDF files:

Netscape/Windows: hold down the SHIFT key when you click on the link
Internet Explorer/Windows: RIGHT CLICK on the link and choose "Save target as..."
Netscape/Macintosh: hold down the OPTION key when you click on the link
For other Browser/Operating System combinations, see the browser instructions or help files.

The pdf files should be downloaded if your browser does not support Adobe (Acrobat) Reader as a plug-in or helper file, or if an error message (see below) is encountered when using Microsoft Internet Explorer 4 or 5 and Adobe (Acrobat) Reader 4.

For additional information on downloading, installing, and configuring Adobe (Acrobat) Reader, see

Problems Loading PDF Files
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If you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer 4 or 5 with the Adobe (Acrobat) Reader 4 plug-in, you may not be able to open some pdf files. You will get an empty browser screen, and the message "An error has occurred while trying to use this document" in the message area at the bottom of the browser. This incompatibility should be eliminated in the future; in the meantime, Microsoft suggests that the pdf file be downloaded and opened separately in the browser (see above).

The pdf files also may not load properly if a partial download or corrupted copy of the pdf file has been left in cache area of your hard drive from a prior failed access. If you have interrupted a page while loading it into your web browser one time, you may have trouble retrieving the full page on future tries to load it. In this case, you should clear your browser cache.
For example:

In Netscape, from the menu bar at the top of the browser:
1. choose Edit;
2. choose Preferences;
3. under Advanced, choose Cache;
4. click Clear Memory Cache and Clear Disk Cache.
5. Close your browser and then reopen it, before trying to reload the page.
In Internet Explorer (IE), from the menu bar at the top of the browser:
1. choose View (or, in IE 5, choose Tools);
2. choose Internet Options;
3. under Temporary Internet Files, click Delete;
4. under History, click Clear History.
5. Close your browser and then reopen it, before trying to reload the page.

Accessing PDF Files as Text/HTML
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Adobe Systems, Inc. provides free on-line conversion services through access.adobe.com to convert PDF files to web pages (HTML documents). These can be used in one of two ways:

Web-based forms submission tool

If the Adobe PDF file is on the Internet, users type the URL into an electronic form and select the "Get This PDF Document as HTML" button. The document will be converted on the fly to HTML and will be returned immediately to the Web browser. How to convert PDF files using Web-based forms.
E-mail submission tool

If the Adobe PDF is on the Internet, users can submit the URL of a PDF file via e-mail to convert it to HTML or ASCII text. PDF files that are on a local hard disk, local CD-ROM, or local area network, can also be converted by attaching the PDF file to an e-mail message. The converted results are returned in the body of a new mail message in a matter of minutes. How to convert the PDF using e-mail.

Compressed ZIP and EXE Files
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For the Windows operating system, files that are compressed (.zip) or Self-extracting compressed (.exe) files will need to be downloaded and expanded before use.

NOTE:
Browsers may be configured so that clicking on .zip or .exe files will automatically expand the files by opening an existing utility (.zip) or using a utility included with the file (.exe); however it is generally safer to download the file and expand it outside of the browser as described below.

For pages on the CFSAN web site, the sizes for both the compressed and expanded files are provided on the linking page. Once downloaded, the self-extracting .exe files do not require a separate utility program and may be extracted by double-clicking on the file name in Windows Explorer, or entering the file name in the Windows Run application (on the Windows Start Menu) and clicking OK. The self-extracting files created with utilities such as the DOS version of PKZip (see below) run in a separate DOS window (which may be closed when the process is complete). The expanded file will be in the same folder as the .exe file. The .exe files from other applications such as WinZip (see below) open a self-extractor window that prompts the user to select a download location for the expanded file. The .zip files require a utility program (see below) to extract the files. Consult the instructions for the utility you use.

For the Macintosh operating system, utilities such as Stuff-it Expander (see below) will open both the .zip and .exe files. To use the resulting files, they must be compatible with Macintosh software applications.

Download an evaluation copy of WinZip
Download PKZIP Software containing pkzip and pkunzip utilities for DOS, Windows, or Unix (shareware from PKWARE, Inc.)
Download JustZIPit - A simple, powerful and free ZIP/UNZIP tool
Download Stuffit Expander for Windows and Macintosh (freeware from Aladdin, Inc.; the complete Stuffit product for Windows, Macintosh, Linux, or Solaris may be purchased from Aladdin, Inc.).
Various zip/unzip utilities available from CNET & Download.com (most of these have not been evaluated by CFSAN)

Configuing Browser Text Size and Readability
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The text size for HTML-coded pages on the CFSAN web site may be changed for each session. This is usually done from VIEW on the toolbar at the top of the browser window. Some examples follow.

Browser	Version	Change Text Size Instructions	Shortcut
Microsoft Internet Explorer Windows	v. 6.x	From the toolbar: VIEW/TEXT SIZE
Microsoft Internet Explorer Windows	v. 5.x	From the toolbar: VIEW/TEXT SIZE
Netscape Windows	v. 7.x	From the toolbar: VIEW/TEXT ZOOM	Zoom: Ctrl Z Smaller: Ctrl - Larger: Ctrl +
Netscape Windows	v. 4.7x	From the toolbar: VIEW/INCREASE or DECREASE	Decrease: Ctrl [ Increase: Ctrl ]

Microsoft Internet Explorer Macintosh	v. 5.x	From the toolbar: VIEW/ZOOM FONT	Decrease: Apple - Increase: Apple +
Netscape Macintosh	v. 4.7x	From the toolbar: VIEW/INCREASE or DECREASE	Decrease: Shift Apple [ Increase: Shift Apple ]

In addition, some browsers allow the default font size to be specified in the using the browser options or preferences. Consult the help files or manual for the browser you are using.

Users of Microsoft Windows 2000 or XP will be able to set their monitors to use large fonts and a high contrast display. The shortcut ALT+left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN toggles between normal and high contrast.

If the shortcut sequence is not active, or if the user wants to select different high contrast display options, use the following procedure beginning from the START command on the Desktop:
- START/SETTINGS/CONTROL PANEL/ACCESSIBILITY OPTIONS
- Click the DISPLAY tab; if high contrast display is to be on at all times, click Use High Contrast check box
- To change the settings, click SETTINGS
  - To use the shortcut toggle, click the Use Shortcut check box
  - To change the settings in Windows XP, use the drop-down menu to choose the High Contrast Appearance for optimal readability
  - To change the settings in Windows 2000, select the White on Black, Black on White, or Custom radio button; if custom is selected chose the scheme for optimal readability

Printing HTML Pages
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Many web documents (HTML pages), including those with wide tables, will look better if printed in Landscape (wide; 11" by 8.5") rather than Portrait (tall; 8.5" by 11"). In addition, you may use the Print Preview feature of the browser (if it is available) to determine how many pages the document will require to print; if the entire document is not needed, selected pages may be printed from the Print Interface.

Microsoft Internet Explorer:
- The Print Button on the browser tool bar prints the entire document in the default mode.
- The Printer Interface may be accessed from the File menu (keyboard: ALT-f, ALT-p) or by pressing CONTROL-p
- Landscape or Portrait mode printing may be selected from the Print Interface under the Layout tab or from the Page Setup Interface on the File menu (keyboard: ALT-f; ALT-u)
- The Print Preview (a feature of Internet Explorer 5.5 but not earlier versions) may be accessed from the File menu (keyboard: ALT-f; ALT-v) to look at appearance and the number of pages required. The entire document can be printed from the Preview with the Print button (keyboard: ALT-p)
- To print selected pages, close the preview (keyboard: ALT-c) and open the Print interface from the File menu (keyboard: ALT-f, ALT-p) or by pressing CONTROL-p
- Background Colors and Images: On some printers, some background colors and/or background images may either appear as white, or use excessive amounts of ink or toner. Printing of background colors and images can be controlled from the Tools menu. First select "Internet Options", then choose the "Advanced" tab. Scroll down to "Printing," then check or clear the "Print background colors and images" checkbox, depending on whether you want them to print.
- Printing Multiple Files with a Single Click: Some extremely large documents are divided up into a number of smaller files (e.g. separate chapters) for faster loading. To print all pages linked from a given page, open the Print interface from the File menu (keyboard: ALT-f, ALT-p) or by pressing CONTROL-p. In Windows 95/98 check the "Print all linked documents" checkbox in the lower left corner. In Windows XP or Windows 2000, first choose the "Options" tab and then check the "Print all linked documents" checkbox.
Netscape Navigator:
- The Print Button on the browser tool bar opens the Print Interface
- The Printer Interface may also be accessed from the File menu (keyboard: ALT-f, ALT-p)
- Landscape or Portrait mode printing may be selected from the Print interface under Options/Layout: click OK 2 times to set the mode. (This will also cause the document to be printed)
- The Print Preview may be accessed from the File menu (keyboard: ALT-f; ALT-v) to look at appearance and the number of pages required. The preview may be closed (keyboard: ALT-c) or the Print Interface can be accessed from the Preview with the Print button (or ALT-p)
- Selected pages to be printed may be chosen from the Print Interface
- Background Colors and Images: On some printers, some background colors and/or background images may either appear as white, or use excessive amounts of ink or toner. Printing of background colors and images can be controlled from the File Menu. First select "Page Setup...", then check or clear the "Print backgrounds" checkbox, depending on whether you want them to print.

Downloading Multiple-Part Documents
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Many large documents on the CFSAN web site, such as the Food Code, are posted as multiple files to facilitate easy viewing and downloading. To obtain a copy of the entire document to use locally, or on a computer without an Internet connection, one can use a software package called an "offline browser". There are many available, some at no or low cost. Use a search engine or directory service such as Google to obtain a list of such software packages.

Once you have installed the offline browser, start the program and give it the URL of the document's table of contents. For example, the table of contents for the 2001 Food Code is http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/fc01-toc.html. Set the program to copy internal links and set the link depth to 2 or 3. Most offline browsers also have an option to convert the downloaded files to be viewable without an Internet connection. Start the download, and when complete, you will have a copy of the document on your PC.

See also Printing Multiple Files with a Single Click

Information on Screen Readers for the Blind and Visually Impaired
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JAWS for Windows: Job Access With Speech computer screen reader (and other accessibilty software products from Henter-Joyce)
Home Page Reader: Spoken Internet/Web access screen reader (from IBM; NOTE: works only with Netscape)

Document Viewers
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The following free document viewers may be useful for opening, viewing, and printing word processor, presentation, or spreadsheet documents if you do not have the appropriate software.

Microsoft Viewers:
- Microsoft Word:
- Microsoft PowerPoint:
  - PowerPoint Viewer 97 (2000 Release) for PowerPoint 2000 Users
  - PowerPoint Viewer 97 (2000 Release) for PowerPoint 97 Users
- Microsoft Excel (Spreadsheet):
  - Excel 97/2000/XP Viewer: Spreadsheet Files
- Other Microsoft Viewers and Converters

Template Files
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Template files are pre-formatted documents or forms that may be downloaded and opened with the appropriate word processor program. They are usually protected so that only the "fill in the blank" sections may be modified. They may then be printed or saved (as template files).

MS Word
Template files for MS Word for Office 97 or Office 2000 are filetype .dot. These files will open directly from MS Internet Explorer if Word or Office 97/Office 2000 is installed. If Netscape or another browser is used, the .dot files should be downloaded and used from MS Word.
WordPerfect
Template files for WordPerfect 7/8/9/10 are filetype .wpt. These files should be downloaded and and used from WordPerfect.

To save and use the WordPerfect template:
1. Click on the Word Perfect Template (.wpt file) link.
2. When presented with the File Download Dialog box, select "Save this program to disk".
  Select a directory on your hard disk in which to save the file.
3. Click "Save". File will download.
4. When the download has been completed, click "Open". The file will open in WordPerfect.
If no File Download Dialog box appears, follow this procedure:
1. Right mouse click the WordPerfect Template (.wpt file) link.
2. Select "Save Target As".
3. Select a directory on your hard disk in which to save the file. Click "Save".
4. When download is complete, click "Close".

Download the Latest Versions of Internet Browsers
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Microsoft Internet Explorer: latest version is 6 (SP2)
Netscape Browser/Communicator: latest version is 7.2
Netscape Browser/Communicator: version 4.8 and earlier versions
Mozilla: Latest version is 1.73
Opera: latest version is 7.54

Foods Home | FDA Home | Other FDA Centers | HHS Home | Search/Subject Index | Disclaimers & Privacy Policy | Accessibility/Help

NOTE:
for information on the Electronic Registration of Food Facilities or Prior Notification, please go to the FDA Industry Systems Help Desk Page;
to submit questions directly directly to the Help Desk or request other information, please use the following Form.

To comment or report general page access problems, contact Fred Fry, frf@vm.cfsan.fda.gov

Last updated on 2004-SEP-28 by frf

U. S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition

General Help for Accessing Files on the CFSAN Web Site

PDF Files and Adobe (Acrobat) Reader

Problems Loading PDF Files Return to the Top of the Page and Menu

Accessing PDF Files as Text/HTML Return to the Top of the Page and Menu

Compressed ZIP and EXE Files Return to the Top of the Page and Menu

Configuing Browser Text Size and Readability Return to the Top of the Page and Menu

Printing HTML Pages Return to the Top of the Page and Menu

Downloading Multiple-Part Documents Return to the Top of the Page and Menu

Information on Screen Readers for the Blind and Visually Impaired Return to the Top of the Page and Menu

Document Viewers Return to the Top of the Page and Menu

Template Files Return to the Top of the Page and Menu

Download the Latest Versions of Internet Browsers Return to the Top of the Page and Menu