Forms

About Adobe Acrobat PDF

What is a PDF document?

PDF (Portable Document Format) is a file format designed by Adobe Systems that allows convenient, error-free distribution of original documents between computer platforms. A document produced on any machine (Mac, PC, UNIX) can be saved in PDF format and then printed, viewed and even edited on any other type of machine. A PDF file retains the original document formatting which means that images, fonts and layout are consistent across these different platforms. PDF files typically end with the extension ".pdf".

For more information about Adobe Acrobat see:
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/main.html

How can I view a PDF?

To open and view a PDF file (typically ending with the extension ".pdf"), you need Adobe's Acrobat Reader. Acrobat Reader is a free program that can be installed on most computer platforms. Acrobat Reader allows you to view PDF files, but not edit them. The full version of Adobe Acrobat (around $249) allows you to produce, edit and display PDF files.

When Acrobat Reader or full version of Acrobat are installed, a plug-in for your browser is also installed as part of the process. This plug-in allows you to view PDFs from directly in your browser window. In some cases (interactive PDFs), you will actually be able to enter form data from within your browser window (see "What is an interactive PDF form?" below).

To download the Acrobat Reader application or to purchase the full Adobe Acrobat application, see:
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html

What forms are available on this web site as PDFs?

Many of the forms we produce for the University of Washington, but not all, are available on this web site in PDF format. Creative Communications provides Forms Management to a wide variety of departments and offices at the University of Washington. Forms produced by each of these departments are designed for specific purposes and many are not intended for "general" campus use. Forms available on this web site are those which each of these departments has chosen for general campus distribution. For specic questions about PDF forms availability on this web site, contact AJ Lowe at Creative Communications at 206-685-3641.

How do I download a PDF form I've located on this web site?

PDF forms available on this site are physically located on our server here at Creative Communications, or are available on the individual department's server (the department that "owns" the form). If the PDF is available for download, a "link" (URL) is provided in the document availability information for the form. Clicking on the link will open the form in your browser window (using the plug-in) or directly in the Acrobat application installed on your machine.

To "save" the document as a file to your computer hard drive:

MAC:

• Hold down your "control" key and click the link
• Select "Dowload" or "Save link to disk..."
• Save the document as "Source"
• Download the file

PC:

• Hold down your "alt" key and click the link
• Select "Save target as..." or "Save link as..."
• Download the file

Note that if you are using the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader (version 5 or higher) there is a "Save" option on the button bar to allow you to save the PDF to your hard drive.

If you are having trouble viewing a PDF form in your browser, or cannot "download" using the PDF link, please contact AJ Lowe at Creative Communications, 206-685-3641.

I've located a form in the database that is not available as a downloadable PDF. How can I get this form?

Because many of the forms listed in our database are not meant for general campus use, they are not available as downloadable PDFs. However, Creative Communications can work with an individual department to determine whether the form should be accessible as a PDF from this site.

If you have questions or comments regarding any form found on this site and it's availability, please contact AJ Lowe at Creative Communications, 206-685-3641.

What is an "interactive PDF"?

An interactive PDF form is a document which has additional functionality embedded in the file. This additional functionality allows you to do one or more of the following while viewing a PDF in your web browser (plug-in version 4 or above) or Acrobat Reader (version 4 or above):

• Enter data in the fields provided on the form
• Do calculations using fields provided on the form
• Navigate through the form, to other forms, or to web sites
• Submit data to a web server database or CGI program for further processing

You can determine if a PDF available on this web site is interactive by looking the "PDF Information" field of the form information.

I use software that allows vision impaired persons to read web pages. Can I read PDFs in my browser using this software?

The ability to create PDFs that are accessible to screen-based readers has recently been added to Acrobat 5.0 (for Windows only). At this time, PDFs found on this web site do not have screen-reader compatibility. We are testing the new version of Acrobat 5.0 and will begin using screen-reader features once the software goes into full use at Creative Communications.

Please contact AJ Lowe at Creative Communications, 206-685-3641, regarding PDF and screen reader capabilities.

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