What is a PDF?

A PDF, or Portable Document Format, is a file format used for sharing documents that preserves the layout, fonts, and graphics of the original file. In this glossary entry, we will discuss the definition of PDF documents and provide some examples of how they are used.

PDF Definition

The PDF file extension was first developed by Adobe Systems in the early 1990s as a way to share electronic documents independent of the hardware, operating system, or application software used to create them. A PDF file can contain text, images, graphics, and other multimedia elements. The file format has become widely used for sharing documents online, as it preserves the layout and formatting of a document regardless of the software used to create or view it.

PDF Examples

PDFs are commonly used for a variety of purposes, including sharing business reports, brochures, forms, e-books, and manuals. They are also used in the publishing industry for books and magazines. PDFs can be viewed on a range of devices, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones, making them a flexible and accessible file format.

PDFs can be created using a variety of software applications, including Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Word, and Google Docs. Once a document is created, it can be saved as a PDF file. In addition to viewing and sharing PDFs, users can also edit and annotate them using a range of software applications, including Adobe Acrobat, Nitro Pro, and Foxit PhantomPDF.