J.D. Fox Micro Resource CenterLinksPDF ResourcesHere are links for some of the many applications that handle PDF files. For more information about PDF file management, please read PDF Files — An Introduction. Note: If you are working on a business network, please see your IT systems manager for authorization before attempting to download and install software. If you simply need to view PDF files, and they are not displaying in your web browser, or when you try to open a PDF file you get a prompt that you don't have the right software, then download the free Adobe Reader (formerly called Adobe Acrobat Reader) below. The "X" in the name denotes, in Roman style, that it is version 10 of the software. This is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. If you use Internet Explorer or Firefox, make sure to uncheck "Include in your download" if you don't want to install the Google Toolbar, which has nothing to do with Adobe Reader or PDF files. If you need to create PDF files on your computer, and your word processing software does not support saving directly to PDF format, or to edit PDF files directly, one or more of the links below may help. The Apple Mac, starting with OS X, has a basic built-in PDF printer, supporting all applications. The standard PDF creation software from the inventor of PDF. It can create a PDF from any application that prints, integrate into several applications (such as Microsoft Office) for more robust support, and combine multiple files into one PDF easily. This can even convert a PDF back to Microsoft Word or Excel format. Supports limited editing of PDF files, watermarks, comments (sticky notes), creating fillable forms, and digital signatures. Windows only. The most comprehensive PDF document creation and management application, with additional features beyond Acrobat X Standard. Windows and Mac. A worthy alternative to Adobe Acrobat. Foxit now offers a Business version with some powerful new collaboration and security features. Windows only, with free trial.
Another full-strength alternative to Adobe Acrobat, offered in free and paid versions with various feature sets. The above link takes you to a thorough, but somewhat cluttered and confusing, feature comparison chart. Windows only. Although the product is called Nitro Pro, this does not mean it fully matches the feature set of Acrobat Professional; for the most part, you should consider it to be an equivalent to Acrobat Standard. Nitro offers a free trial. Windows only. From the company best known for its Dragon voice/dictation software. Although it's called "Converter", it is a full-featured PDF editor like the ones listed above. It comes in various flavors, including a version for the Apple Mac. Basic PDF creator for any application. Free for up to 10 users. Windows only.
Free download from Microsoft for saving to PDF from the applications in the Microsoft Office 2007 suite. Microsoft Office 2010 comes with built-in support for saving files to PDF. Finally, here is a terrific product that allows you to extract information from PDF files. You might need this if you have a table of information in a PDF, and want to put it in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. Using a product like Able2Extract, you can avoid having to retype the information manually.
Windows only. Free trial available. |
