Viewing or Saving PDF files
What is the difference between viewing and saving a PDF file?
Viewing a PDF opens the PDF directly in your web browser using what is known as a plugin. A plugin is a small program that add extra features to your web browser. If you browser has the Adobe Acrobat Reader plugin then this will be the default option when you click on a link to a PDF. If your browser doesn't have the Adobe Acrobat plugin it can be downloaded from the Adobe website.
Saving a PDF means that a copy of the PDF will be stored on your computer. This PDF can then be opened at any time in your browser (using the Acrobat Reader plugin) or in Acrobat Reader which is available for free from the Adobe website. A text only version of this download is also available at access.adobe.com.
How to view a PDF file
- To view a PDF simply click on the link provided on the web page.
- A dialog box may appear asking if you would like to Open this file from its current location or Save this file to disk.
Note: If this dialog box does not appear your web browser may be automatically opening the file using the associated plugin. If you would rather save the PDF then goto the instructions for saving a file and follow those steps.
- Select Open this file from its current location and click OK. If this does not appear
- The document will now open directly in your web browser.
Note: For large documents it may take some time for the document to display. If for some reason the PDF you are trying to access is not displaying go to the PDF file not displaying correctly? section of this site for possible solutions.
How to save a PDF file
Note: Depending on the computer, operating system and web browser these instructions may vary slightly.
- If you are using a PC, right click on the download link so that a menu appears.
- If you are using a Macintosh, click and hold on the download link so that a menu appears.
- Right click on the download link so that a menu appears.
- From the menu select Save Target As or Save Link As.
- A dialog box will appear that allows you to select the location on your computer that you would like to save the file. Select an appropriate location and then click OK. A dialog box will now appear providing you with information about how long the download will take and indicating the download progress.
- Once the download is complete you are able to launch the file by going to the location on your computer that you saved the file to and double clicking on it.
