Creating PDFs

When to use PDFs

PowerPoint presentations for printing

• 1 slide/page (23K), 3 slides/page (14K)

Information explicitly for printing

• Map printout

Forms that can be filled out by users

• Tax forms (PDF - 181K)

 

When NOT to use PDF

Brochures

• Problems with readability, accessibility, download time, usability
• Example: Curriculum Guides (PDF - 176K, 90 seconds) (HTML)

Articles and readings

• Problems with readability, download time
• Example: Page from magazine (PDF - 326K, 163 seconds)

Sending information to users w/low end computers, slow network connections

• Problems with download time, usability (1 sec download per 2K data)
• Quarterly Class Schedule (PDF - 32K) (HTML)

Any information that can be done in HTML

• Problems with accessibility, ease of use
• Even if you're "short of time." You've created the content, so put it on an HTML page!

Forms that can't be edited

• Problems with ease of use
• TIAA-CREF application (PDF - 62K )

 

How To Create a (good) PDF

 

Create PDF button in applications

This is available in Microsoft Office applications. It allows you to quickly make a PDF file from an Office document, but you have limited control over the details of how that document will be presented.

1. Create (or Open) a Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or other document
2. Click on the "Convert to Adobe PDF" button.
3. Choose the location to save the PDF file.

 

"Printing" to a PDF

This is available from all applications that allow printing. It allows you to make a PDF of web pages, emails, and other types of files/documents. You also gain control over how your document displays. This is the best option for PowerPoint.

1. Open the file, web page, or email that you want to make a PDF.
2. Set your page setup, pagination, and other options (especially in Excel).
3. Select File, then Print... to open the Print window
4. Select "Adobe PDF" from the list of printers available.
5. Set any additional print options (e.g. number of pages, or slides per page in PowerPoint).
6. Click the Print button.
7. Choose the location to save the PDF file.

 

Build a PDF in Adobe Acrobat Standard

This approach offers many options for creating and modifying basic PDF files, or using the advanced form-making and commenting features.

1. Open Adobe Acrobat Standard
2. Select "Create PDF", either from the File menu or the button on the top of the window.
3. Select the type of original document (source) you are using. Options include a single file, multiple files, web page, scanner, or data in the clipboard.
4. Follow the steps for those options.
5. Adjust any other settings, build form fields, comments, links, and the like.
6. Save the file.

 

Where to Create a PDF

On your office computer; contact Administrative Technology if Adobe Acrobat Standard is not already installed.

In the Multimedia Instructional Development Studio, 6th floor of the library.

 

Next Steps

Contact Administrative Technology (admintech@highline.edu or ext. 4357) to have Acrobat Standard installed on your office computer.

Acrobat Product Information - http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobatstd/main.html