Downloading the Reader and Configuring it as a "Helper Application"

How to use all of the features of a file, with the Acrobat Reader

If this is the first time you have come across a file, you will need to configure the Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to view the file.  If you do not have the Acrobat Reader on your computer or network, you will need to download it from Adobe Web Site .  (note: the Acrobat Reader is free to download & instructions how to download the software is included on the Adobe Web Site)  

Once you have the Acrobat Reader on your computer or network you will need to configure it as a "Helper Application."  You may do this 2 ways:

1)  Via your Preferences options for your web browser (Netscape example).  

• Click on the "Create New Type" button
• type "pdf" in the File Extensions box
• Select "Launch the Application" for the Action (if your system crashes while trying to launch the Reader while your browser is open, change this to "Save to Disk" so that you can save the file locally and view it with the Acrobat Reader after your browser application is closed.
• Select "Browse..." to find the Acrobat Reader executable file (.exe).  You can verify that this is the correct file, when you return to the Preferences window and see the Red Adobe "A" symbol.
• Select "OK" and try to click on the file.

2) The second way to configure Acrobat Reader as a "Helper Application" when coming across a .pdf file, is to simply click on the file.   (Netscape example)

• Your browser will prompt you that this is an Unknown File Type.
• Select "Pick App..."
• Select "Browse..." to find the Acrobat Reader executable file (.exe).  You will know if you have the correct file if the Acrobat Reader opens up the file.

If you are still experiencing problems with downloading or configuring the Acrobat Reader, please contact your computer coordinator to assist you.

How to use all of the features of a file, with the Acrobat Reader (e.g., toolbars, links)

Some of the features of the Acrobat Reader Toolbar

This is your "hand" tool that enables you to follow links to other .pdf documents or to a web site.

Zoom In button. Click on this button to select and then click on a section of the document to zoom in on or select an area to zoom in by dragging your mouse so that a box surrounds the text you want.

First Page | Previous Page | Next Page | Last Page buttons to help you navigate through your document.

Go Backward & Go Forward buttons (e.g., go back or forward an action)

Find a word or phrase within the document you are looking at.

Click on the Hand tool and then use your mouse to "point" to text highlighted with a box in this color. Your browser will open up the linked document or web site.