PDF, short for Portable Document Format, is an electronic document format created by Adobe® Systems in 1993. As its name implies, PDF is a platform-independent file format convenient for the exchange and viewing of documents around the world. Most document or image files can be easily converted to PDF with a converting tool (e.g. DocuCom® Gold®), after which it is accessible by widely available PDF reader software.

PDF has been adopted as a universal standard by governments and corporations that need to streamline their paper-based workflow. By switching to an electronic document format, organizations benefit from increased efficiency and lower costs. The academic field is also embracing PDF as a secure method to preserve their copyrighted work. Even everyday users are enjoying the convenience and portability of PDF as document management and storage becomes increasingly digital.

Some benefits of PDF:

 

Feature	Description
Create and view electronic documents.	PDF is easy to create and free to view, helping you realize the “Paperless Office.”
Convenient distribution	Because PDF files are small, secure, and cross-platform, they are an ideal format for internet exchange.
Search and archive data.	PDF is easy to search and index, making it perfect for archiving.
Interactive format	PDF has a set of interactive form field tools for electronic forms which can then be used for surveys, order forms, or other types of data collection.
Extensive reader accessibility.	Readers with poor-vision or mobility impairments can access tagged PDFs which are bundled with content information.