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It was developed by Adobe in 1992 and has since become one of the most widely used formats for saving and exchanging documents.","alternateName":"Portable Document Format","image":"https://techterms.com/img/md/pdf_109.png","url":"https://techterms.com/definition/pdf"} </script> </head> <body> <div id="full"> <header id="siteheader"> <div class="content"> <a href="#main" class="visuallyhidden">Skip to main content</a> <a href="/" class="logo"><img src="/svg/logo.svg" width="212" height="24" alt="TechTerms.com"></a> <div class="siteheader-middle"> <div class="searchwrapper collapsed"> <form id="search" class="search" action="/search" method="post"> <div class='autocomplete' role='combobox' aria-expanded='false' aria-owns='autocomplete-results'> <input type="text" id="term" name="term" placeholder="Search (e.g. pdf, 5G, ISP, USB-C)" aria-label="Search (e.g. psd, docx, exe, jpg, zip)" autocomplete="off" class='autocomplete-input term' aria-autocomplete='both' aria-controls='autocomplete-results'> <button id="searchsubmit" class="searchsubmit"></button> </div> <ul id='autocomplete-results' class='autocomplete-results hidden' aria-label='Search'> </ul> </form> </div> <a href="/random" class="headerbutton random" id="random"><img src="/svg/random.svg" alt="random" width="16" height="16"></a> <button id="searchtoggle"><img src="/svg/search-white.svg" alt="search" width="18" height="18"></button> </div> <div class="siteheader-right"> <button id="menuopen"><img src="/svg/menu.svg" alt="open menu" width="18" height="16"></button> <nav id="sitemenu" class="collapsed"> <button id="menuclose"><img src="/svg/close.svg" alt="close menu" width="14" height="14"></button> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/">Terms</a></li> <li><a href="/quiz/">Quizzes</a></li> <li><a href="/help/">Help Center</a></li> <li class="mobile"><a href="/random">Random Term</a></li> <li class="settings"><button id="settings"><img src="/svg/settings.svg" alt="settings" width="22" height="22"></button> <div class="settingsmenu"> <fieldset> <legend>Theme</legend> <input id="theme-default" value="default" type="radio" name="theme" checked> <label for="theme-default">Light</label> <input id="theme-dark" value="dark" type="radio" name="theme" > <label for="theme-dark">Dark</label> <input id="theme-hc" value="hc" type="radio" name="theme" > <label for="theme-hc">High Contrast</label> </fieldset> <div class="fontsizewrapper"><label for="fontsize">Font Size<input type="range" id="fontsize" name="fontsize" min="14" max="26" step="2" value="20"></label><span class="currentsize">20</span></div> <button id="resetsettings">Reset</button> </div> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> </header> <main> <div class="adTopLB"> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1589388248615-0'> </div> </div> <div id="main" class="def"> <div id="left"> <div class="card hasheader"> <div class="cardheader"> <div class="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Home</a><svg viewBox="0 0 9 14" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="m0 14 9-7-9-7z"/></svg><a href="/category/file_formats">File Formats</a><svg viewBox="0 0 9 14" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="m0 14 9-7-9-7z"/></svg>PDF Definition</div> </div> <article> <h1>PDF</h1> <div class="adDefRect"> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1589302365809-0'> </div> </div> <p>Stands for "Portable Document Format." PDF is a <a href="/definition/file_format">file format</a> designed to present <a href="/definition/document">documents</a> consistently across multiple devices and <a href="/definition/platform">platforms</a>. It was developed by Adobe in 1992 and has since become one of the most widely used formats for saving and exchanging documents.</p> <p>A PDF file can store a wide variety of <a href="/definition/data">data</a>, including formatted text, <a href="/definition/vector_graphic">vector graphics</a>, and <a href="/definition/raster_graphic">raster images</a>. It also contains <a href="/definition/page_layout">page layout</a> information, which defines the location of each item on the page, as well as the size and shape of the pages in the document. This information is all saved in a standard format, so the document looks the same, no matter what device or <a href="/definition/program">program</a> is used to open it. For example, if you save a PDF on a Mac, it will appear the same way in Windows, Android, and iOS.</p> <p>The PDF format also supports <a href="/definition/metadata">metadata</a>, such as the document title, author, subject, and <a href="/definition/keywords">keywords</a>. It can store embedded <a href="/definition/font">fonts</a> so you do not need to have the appropriate fonts installed to view the document correctly. PDF documents may also be <a href="/definition/encryption">encrypted</a> so only authorized users can open them.</p> <h3>Creating and Viewing PDFs</h3> <p>PDFs are rarely created from scratch. Instead, they are usually generated from an existing document. For example, you might save a <a href="/definition/word">Word</a> document as a PDF or scan a <a href="/definition/hardcopy">hard copy</a> and save it as a PDF. While the PDF format was originally proprietary, Adobe has opened the format to other developers, so many programs now include a "Save as PDF" or "Export to PDF" option. <a href="/definition/macos">macOS</a> provides the "Save as PDF" feature in the standard Print <a href="/definition/dialog_box">dialog box</a>, so you can save any printable document as a PDF.</p> <p>To view a PDF, you can use Adobe Reader or any program or <a href="/definition/plugin">plug-in</a> that supports the PDF format. You can edit PDFs using Adobe Acrobat or a <a href="/definition/thirdparty">third party</a> PDF editor. For example, many editors include a "Fill & Sign" feature, which allows you to fill out fields and sign the document. Programs that support <a href="/definition/ocr">OCR</a> allow you to digitally scan the document for text and then edit or delete it. You can also add images and blocks of text to the PDF. Most PDF editors also allow you to merge multiple PDFs into a single document.</p> <p><b>NOTE:</b> Since the Portable Document Format is designed to be an exchange format, PDF editing options are limited compared to other formats. Therefore, when designing a document, it is best to create it with an editor such as Microsoft Word, CorelDRAW, or Adobe InDesign, then save the document as a PDF.</p> <div class="adBotLB"> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1589236206757-0'> </div> </div> <div class="cardfooter"> <div class="upDate"><div class="author">Updated <span class="pdate">April 5, 2018</span> by <a href="/authors/per_christensson">Per C.</a></div></div><div id="citations"> <div class="tabs"> <div role="tablist" aria-label="citations"> <button role="tab" aria-selected="false" aria-controls="apa" tabindex="-1">APA</button> <button role="tab" aria-selected="false" aria-controls="mla" tabindex="-1">MLA</button> <button role="tab" aria-selected="false" aria-controls="chicago" tabindex="-1">Chicago</button> <button role="tab" aria-selected="false" aria-controls="html" tabindex="-1">HTML</button> <button role="tab" aria-selected="false" aria-controls="link" tabindex="-1">Link</button> </div> <div class="citationwrap"> <div id="apa" 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11.6-7.5 0-13.5 6-13.5 13.5s6 13.5 13.5 13.5c21.3 0 38.6-17.3 38.6-38.6v-325.7c0-21.3-17.3-38.6-38.6-38.6z" stroke-width="15"/></svg></button> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div id="defquiz" class="card"> <h2 class="heading logoheading"><img src="/img/main/quiz.png" alt="quiz" style="width:45px">Test Your Knowledge</h2> <div class="quizBox"> <div class="quizBody"> <p class="quizQuestion">What is the Windows keyboard shortcut to paste data from the clipboard?</p> <div class="quizTable"> <div id="ansButtonA" class="answerButton activeButton" data-answer="Anum" data-date="2023-05-03"><span class="ansLetter">A</span> <div class="answerCell"><span id="answerA" class="quizAnswer">Control + P</span> <div class="answerBar"> <div id="quizBarA" class="quizBar"></div><span id="quizPercA" class="quizperc">0%</span> </div> </div> </div> <div id="ansButtonB" class="answerButton activeButton" data-answer="Bnum" data-date="2023-05-03"><span class="ansLetter">B</span> <div class="answerCell"><span id="answerB" class="quizAnswer">Control + S</span> <div class="answerBar"> <div id="quizBarB" class="quizBar"></div><span id="quizPercB" class="quizperc">0%</span> </div> </div> </div> <div id="ansButtonC" class="answerButton activeButton" data-answer="Cnum" data-date="2023-05-03"><span class="ansLetter">C</span> <div class="answerCell"><span id="answerC" class="quizAnswer">Control + A</span> <div class="answerBar"> <div id="quizBarC" class="quizBar"></div><span id="quizPercC" class="quizperc">0%</span> </div> </div> </div> <div id="ansButtonD" class="answerButton activeButton" data-answer="Dnum" data-date="2023-05-03"><span class="ansLetter">D</span> <div class="answerCell"><span id="answerD" class="quizAnswer">Control + V</span> <div class="answerBar"> <div id="quizBarD" class="quizBar"></div><span id="quizPercD" class="quizperc">0%</span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="quizResult"><div class="qmsg"> <b class="quizPass">Correct!</b> <b class="quizFail">Incorrect!</b>   <span class="customMessage"></span>  View the <a href="/definition/paste">Paste definition</a>.</div> <a href="/quiz/#morequizzes" class="quizNext btnprimary">More Quizzes →</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="right"> <div class="prevnext"> <a href="pda"><span class="arrow">‹</span>  <span class="linktext">PDA</span></a><span> | </span><a href="pdu"><span class="linktext">PDU</span>  <span class="arrow">›</span></a></div> <div class="tf card"> <h2 class="heading">Tech Factor</h2> <a href="/help/tech_factor" class="info" title="What is the Tech Factor?">?</a> <a href="/techfactor/3"><span class="factor">3</span><span class="denom"> / 10</span></a></div> <div class="listBox card related"> <h2 class="heading">Related Terms</h2> <div class="rlists"> <ol> <li><a href="/definition/document">Document</a></li> <li><a href="/definition/file_format">File Format</a></li> <li><a href="/definition/multiplatform">Multiplatform</a></li> <li><a href="/definition/page_layout">Page Layout</a></li> </ol> <ol start="5"><li><a href="/definition/vector_graphic">Vector Graphic</a></li> <li><a href="/definition/raster_graphic">Raster Graphic</a></li> <li><a href="/definition/ocr">OCR</a></li> <li><a href="/definition/plugin">Plug-in</a></li> </ol> </div> </div> <div class="card"> <h2 class="heading">PDF Images</h2> <div class="baguetteBox gallery"> <figure> <a href="https://techterms.com/img/lg/pdf_109.png"><img src="https://techterms.com/img/sm/pdf_109.png" alt="The official Adobe PDF document icon" width="225" height="225" srcset="https://techterms.com/img/md/pdf_109.png 450w, https://techterms.com/img/sm/pdf_109.png 225w" sizes="(max-width: 748px) 225px, (max-width: 970px) 162px, 225px"></a> <figcaption class="caption">The official Adobe PDF document icon</figcaption> </figure> <figure> <a href="https://techterms.com/img/lg/pdf_109-2.png"><img src="https://techterms.com/img/sm/pdf_109-2.png" alt="A multi-page PDF document open in Adobe Acrobat" width="225" height="179" srcset="https://techterms.com/img/md/pdf_109-2.png 450w, https://techterms.com/img/sm/pdf_109-2.png 225w" sizes="(max-width: 748px) 225px, (max-width: 970px) 162px, 225px"></a> <figcaption class="caption">A multi-page PDF document open in Adobe Acrobat</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> <div class="adRightSky"> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1589233879778-0'> </div> </div> </div> <div class="techterms card"> <h2 class="heading">The Tech Terms Computer Dictionary</h2> <p>The definition of PDF on this page is an original definition written by the <a href="/authors/">TechTerms.com team</a>. If you would like to reference this page or cite this definition, please use the green citation bar directly below the definition.</p> <p>Our goal to explain computer terminology in a way that is easy to understand. We strive for accuracy and simplicity with every definition we publish. If you have feedback about this definition or would like to suggest a new technical term, please <a href="/contact">contact us</a>.</p> <h2 class="heading">TechTerms Newsletter</h2> <p>Improve your technical knowledge with our daily or weekly newsletter! Subscribe today and get new terms and quizzes delivered to your inbox.</p> <button id="ttn_open" class="btnprimary">Subscribe</button> </div> </div> <div class="popupwrapper"> <div id="newsletter_popup"> <button class="close">×</button> <div id="ttnform"> <h3 class="heading">Sign up for the free TechTerms Newsletter</h3> <form id="subscribe"> <div class="field"><label for="newsletter_email">Email (required):</label> <input type="email" id="newsletter_email" name="newsletter_email" required aria-label="email address"> </div> <div class="row1"> <div class="field"><label for="first_name">First Name:</label> <input type="text" name="first_name" id="first_name"></div> <div class="field"><label for="first_name">Last Name:</label> <input type="text" name="last_name" id="last_name"></div> </div> <fieldset class="row2"> <legend>How often would you like to receive an email?</legend> <input type="radio" name="frequency" id="daily" value="d" checked><label for="daily">Daily</label> <input type="radio" name="frequency" id="weekly" value="w"><label for="weekly">Weekly (Every Tuesday)</label> <input type="text" id="newsletter_message" name="message" class="cfieldhid" aria-hidden="true" aria-label="If you are a human, please do not fill in this field." tabindex="-1"> </fieldset> <input type="submit" class="btnprimary" value="Subscribe"> <div id="ttnerror"> </div> <p>You can unsubscribe or change your frequency setting at any time using the links available in each email.<br><br>Questions? 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