Overview of pdf creation, What’s the best way to create a pdf, Additional resource – Adobe Acrobat XI User Manual
Page 158: Pdf creation methods by file type, Most files, Paper documents
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Creating PDFs
Last updated 1/14/2015
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Overview of PDF creation
What’s the best way to create a PDF?
You create a PDF by converting other documents and resources to Portable Document Format. You can usually choose
from several PDF creation methods, depending on the type of file you start with and your requirements for the PDF.
You can create PDFs from documents printed on paper, Microsoft Word documents, InDesign® files, and digital
images, to name just a few examples. Different types of sources have different tools available for PDF conversion. In
many applications, you can create PDFs by selecting the Adobe PDF printer in the Print dialog box.
If a file is open in its authoring application (such as a spreadsheet that is open in Microsoft Excel), you can usually
convert the file to PDF without opening Adobe Acrobat XI. Similarly, if Acrobat is already open, you don’t have to open
the authoring application to convert a file to PDF.
Every PDF strikes a balance between efficiency (small file size) and quality (such as resolution and color). When that
balance is critical to your task, you’ll want to use a method that includes access to various conversion options.
For example, you can drag files to the Acrobat icon to create PDFs. In this case, Acrobat applies the most recently used
conversion settings without providing access to those settings. If you want more control over the process, you’ll want
to use another method.
Additional resource
• Acrobat user community forums:
.
PDF creation methods by file type
Refer to the following lists to determine the methods available for the different types of files.
Most files
These methods can be used for documents and images in almost all file formats.
Create menu
Within Acrobat, by choosing PDF from File.
Adobe PDF printer
Within most applications, in the Print dialog box.
Drag and drop
On the desktop or from a folder.
Context menu
On the desktop or in a folder, by right-clicking.
Paper documents
Requires a scanner and a hard copy of the document.
Create menu
Within Acrobat, by choosing PDF from Scanner. Or, for previously scanned paper documents, by
choosing PDF from File.