Help with PDF files

The Foundation’s publications are available as PDF files to download from the publications page of this website.

The PDF file format is a common internet file format (PDF stands for Portable Document Format) that faithfully preserves the look and feel of the original document complete with fonts, colours, images, and layout, and can be used across many different types of computers and browsers.

Opening PDF files
To open a PDF file you can download Acrobat Reader and install it onto your computer. The program is available free of charge from the Adobe Acrobat site, at the link on the right.

Alternatively, you can use an online PDF conversion tool. To do this, visit the Adobe Acrobat website, type in the address of a PDF file and get it to translate the file into a more readable format while you wait. Or you can email the address of the file (or the file itself) to Adobe, and they will email a translation back. These translations of the files may not be as clearly formatted as the original PDF file.

PDF files and browsers
You can configure your web browser to open PDF files either within the browser window or in a separate Adobe Acrobat window. There are detailed instructions on the Acrobat website on how to do so for different browsers.

PDF file accessibilityPDF file standards have improved over the years and have become more accessible through technologies like screen readers, navigation through the keyboard and enhanced screen viewing. The Adobe site provides information on how best to use these features. You may come across earlier versions of PDF files which are not so accessible.

Searching PDF files
You can search PDF files for any word or phrase by clicking on the Search tool in the Acrobat toolbar at the top of the page, and entering the required search term in the box.