PDF, or Portable Document Format, is a file extension that you see everywhere. It's very popular because not only can you be pretty sure the recipient has some sort of compatible reading app on their device, but the layout information and even the fonts used are embedded in the PDF for them. exactly as he did. created, regardless of the machine on which it is viewed.
Exactly as it was designed for Adobe Acrobat, the first PDF reader that was released in 1993. We've come a long way since then, with Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (no relation to Batman or Superman; DC stands for Document Cloud) now the leading media company. to read PDF documents.
The download is free, so let's see what you can do with it.
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC vs Adobe Acrobat DC: What is the difference?
First of all, it is important to understand the difference between Adobe Acrobat Reader DC and Adobe Acrobat DC. The latter is a singing and dancing PDF editor that allows you to view, print, sign, annotate, search, create, edit, merge and protect PDF files.
The reader is much more limited, but since most casual computer users don't need to create PDFs or make changes to existing files, having a top-notch PDF reader to view, print, sign, annotate, and search them could be the perfect solution. solution for them. .
The "DC" stub is Adobe's attempt to bring PDF management into the XNUMXst century. Document Cloud integrates a suite of Adobe PDF and eSignature tools, offering cloud storage and online collaboration, as well as digital tools to streamline workflows.
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC: Getting Started
Once you've launched Acrobat Reader, you'll see a very simple interface, with a sidebar on the left, some recommended tools at the top, and a list of recent PDF files you've opened.
At the top left is a tab bar, although it doesn't look like a tab bar. You are currently in "Home". Click "Tools" to see all the features you can use... but there's a problem: although it looks like you can use the ones with a little blue star next to them, and even if you can go up to select files, as soon as you activate feature, you will be sent to pay and download Reader's big brother, Acrobat DC.
Coming from one of the biggest app makers out there, that's a bit hypocritical. We were not impressed.
Looking at the sidebar, you'll find that most of the menus require you to sign in to your Adobe Creative Cloud account. However, you don't actually need an account to do the basics, like view your recently opened documents, "stars", essentially pinning them to the top of the list (or view them in the "stars" section), and access all files on your hard drive.
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC - Reading Experience
Once you've opened a PDF in Acrobat Reader, it will appear as a new tab at the top of the interface. This means that you can open multiple files at once. It is also possible to create a completely new window with other tabs, although it also generates a copy of the Home and Tools tabs for that window.
Use the down and up arrows to go to the next or previous page (if your PDF contains more than one). If the writing is too small for you, take advantage of the magnifying glass tool, combined with the Hand tool, so you can easily move around the enlarged page. You will also find a rotate button if the orientation of the document is not correct.
One of the buttons in the narrow sidebar on the left is an option to reveal page thumbnails (which can be increased or decreased in size). It's a great way to scroll through a document to find a specific page, rather than reviewing one page at a time. But there is also a faster method.
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC: How to Search
If your PDF is formatted correctly, you will be able to use the magnifying glass icon located at the top left of the interface. This is a very useful search feature, which can help you quickly locate specific sections without having to flip through page after page.
Don't confuse this feature with the search box at the top of the right sidebar. This allows you to find specific features in this app or another (probably paid).
Speaking of the right sidebar, it's mostly an advertisement for premium features, and even includes a big blue "Try Now" button and a "7-day Free Trial" at the bottom.
To be frank, it is borderline adware. We don't tolerate small developers doing it, so why should we accept it from one of the giants?
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC: Notes, Annotations, and Highlighters
Another very useful feature is the ability to highlight sections of text (like using a yellow highlighter on a physical document) or attach notes to specific parts of the page.
This is done with a few tools located to the right of the top toolbar. Just select one or the other and do what you need to do. It's a great way to keep track of a document you're analyzing.
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC: Document Signing
You will find editable PDFs, such as those that require you to fill in certain information in specific fields, or more simply, those that require your signature. Gone are the days of printing the document, signing it, scanning it and sending it. These are the days of eSign software.
To accomplish this in Reader DC, click the "Signature" tool and apply any saved signature where you need it on the page. If you haven't saved one, creating one is very easy (or just type your initials). You even have the option to change its size and even change the color of the ink if you wish.
You also have the option to share your document with others, including any notes you took along the way, but this requires it to be uploaded to the Adobe cloud (this is where the DC game comes in), and that means you need an account with them. . The good news is that you can sign up for free and it looks like you can use this feature without paying anything.
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC: Final Verdict
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is one of the best free PDF readers for anyone who wants to view documents and manipulate them in some way, such as taking notes, filling out forms, or signing a document.
But it's marred by regular upgrade requests to the more powerful and premium Adobe Acrobat DC. If it wasn't for all those ads, I'd get a much higher score. However, the app is cross-platform and robust enough. It's worth adding to your list of software, unless of course you find adware irritating.
Should I give it a try?