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Updated: April 07, 2025

.PDF File Extension

There is only one filetype that uses .PDF file extension and it is Portable Document Format File.

Portable Document Format File

File category: Page Layout Files
Developer: Adobe
Open with: Google Drive (+22 more)
Platforms: Windows, macOS, In-browser (Online), Linux, iOS, Android, ChromeOS, iPadOS

A PDF (Portable Document Format) file is a widely used document format designed to maintain consistent layout, formatting, and appearance across different devices, operating systems, and applications. PDF files preserve the exact look of a document regardless of where it's viewed or printed, making them ideal for sharing important documents.

PDF files can contain various elements including:

  • Text and fonts
  • Images and graphics
  • Annotations and comments
  • Interactive elements (buttons, forms, checkboxes)
  • Digital signatures
  • Hyperlinks
  • Embedded media (in newer versions)

PDF was developed by Adobe in the early 1990s and was officially released in 1993. The format was created to solve the problem of documents looking different when viewed on different systems. Adobe released the PDF specification as an open standard in 2008, making it available for wider use and development.

PDFs are commonly used for:

  • Business documents: Reports, contracts, invoices, and proposals
  • Official forms: Government documents, applications, tax forms
  • Publications: E-books, manuals, brochures, and catalogs
  • Academic materials: Research papers, textbooks, and course materials
  • Personal documents: Resumes, portfolios, and certificates

PDF has remained an essential file format for decades due to its reliability, versatility, and widespread support across virtually all platforms.

How to Open .PDF as Portable Document Format File

PDF files can be opened with numerous applications:

Dedicated PDF readers:

  • Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (free, multiplatform)
  • Adobe Acrobat Pro (paid, includes editing features)
  • Foxit Reader
  • Nitro Reader
  • Sumatra PDF (lightweight option for Windows)

Built-in applications:

  • Apple Preview (macOS)
  • Microsoft Edge (Windows)
  • Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and other modern web browsers

Mobile options:

  • Adobe Acrobat Reader (iOS, Android)
  • Apple Books (iOS)
  • Google Drive (Android, iOS)
  • Microsoft Office app (Android, iOS)

Most modern operating systems include built-in PDF viewing capabilities, making it easy to open PDFs without installing additional software.

How to Convert an PDF File

PDFs can be converted to and from various formats:

Common conversion options:

  • PDF to Word (.docx)
  • PDF to Excel (.xlsx)
  • PDF to PowerPoint (.pptx)
  • PDF to images (.jpg, .png, .tiff)
  • PDF to HTML
  • PDF to text (.txt)

Conversion methods:

  1. Using dedicated software:

    • Adobe Acrobat Pro
    • Nitro Pro
    • PDFElement
    • Smallpdf
    • ABBYY FineReader

  2. Online conversion services:

    • Adobe's online converters
    • Smallpdf.com
    • ILovePDF.com

  3. Using office applications:

    • Microsoft Word can open and edit some PDFs
    • Google Docs can import PDFs
    • Apple Preview can export to some formats

When converting PDFs, keep in mind that complex formatting, images, or interactive elements may not transfer perfectly to other formats, especially when converting to text-based formats.

Applications That Open PDF Files

Windows Apps for PDF Files:

macOS Apps for PDF Files:

In-browser (Online) Apps for PDF Files:

Linux Apps for PDF Files:

iOS Apps for PDF Files:

Android Apps for PDF Files:

ChromeOS Apps for PDF Files:

iPadOS Apps for PDF Files:

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