MedlinePlus: FAQ - PDF Files

PDF stands for Portable Document Format.
- Files of this type are reproductions of original publications with all of the color, pictures, and organization of the original.
- If you print a PDF file, your copy will look as much like the original as your printer can produce.
To view a PDF file you will need a copy of the Adobe Acrobat Reader; this software is available free of charge from Adobe Systems.
- The Adobe Reader is available from http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.
There are two ways to view a PDF file:
- to view the file immediately, have your browser call up the Acrobat Reader as a helper application to display the file
- to view the file later, download the PDF file and use the Acrobat Reader to display the file.