Viewing, Saving, and Printing PDF Files on Macintosh Systems

If you have a newer Mac, chances are that a version of Acrobat Reader was already installed on your computer. On Macintosh systems, the Acrobat Reader installer automatically configures your browser (Safari or Firefox) to download the PDF file when you click on it, place it on your hard drive (usually on the Desktop), and may even open the Reader program and display the file.

There are a number of variables involved with using PDF files on a Macintosh. What happens when you click on a PDF file will depend on what version of Acrobat Reader you have, what browser you are using (Safari or Firefox), and what version of the browser you are using. Almost all of the time, one of four things will happen when you click on a PDF file using a Macintosh.

1. A "Save As" dialog box will open up and ask you where you want the PDF file to be placed. Select a destination, and click OK. The file will be downloaded to the destination, and will be there waiting to be opened.

2. The PDF file is automatically saved to the desktop on your Mac, and is waiting there to be opened. You can check to see if this happened by using the Finder to hide the browser and have a look.

3. The PDF file is automatically saved to the desktop on your Mac, and the browser then automatically launches Acrobat Reader and displays the PDF file for you to read.

4. Your browser automatically displays the PDF file in your browser's window. It will also display anAdobe Acrobat toolbar underneath your regular browser toolbars. You can now navigate through the file, reading it as you would any other document.

Downloading a PDF File
If you have a newer Mac, chances are that a version of Acrobat Reader was already installed on your computer. On Macintosh systems, the Acrobat Reader installer automatically configures your browser (Safari or Firefox) to download the PDF file when you click on it, place it on your hard drive (usually on the Desktop), and may even open the Reader program and display the file.

There are a number of variables involved with using PDF files on a Macintosh. What happens when you click on a PDF file will depend on what version of Acrobat Reader you have, what browser you are using (Safari or Firefox), and what version of the browser you are using. Almost all of the time, one of four things will happen when you click on a PDF file using a Macintosh.

1. A "Save As" dialog box will open up and ask you where you want the PDF file to be placed. Select a destination, and click OK. The file will be downloaded to the destination, and will be there waiting to be opened.

2. The PDF file is automatically saved to the desktop on your Mac, and is waiting there to be opened. You can check to see if this happened by using the Finder to hide the browser and have a look.

3. The PDF file is automatically saved to the desktop on your Mac, and the browser then automatically launches Acrobat Reader and displays the PDF file for you to read.

4. Your browser automatically displays the PDF file in your browser's window. It will also display anAdobe Acrobat toolbar underneath your regular browser toolbars. You can now navigate through the file, reading it as you would any other document.

You Can Decide Where to Put the PDF File
Of the four options listed above, only the first one gives you control over where you want the file to be placed. However, with any of the above three options, there is an even easier way to place a PDF file where you want it on your Mac.

If you would always like to have control over where the PDF file goes on your Mac:

Safari Users:
1. Right click (or Control-click) on the link to a PDF file, then choose "Download Linked File" from the pop-up menu.
2. In the Save As dialog box, select a location, then click Save.

Firefox Users:
1. Right click (or Control-click) on the link to a PDF file, then choose "Save Link As" from the pop-up menu.
2. In the Save As dialog box, select a location, then click Save.

Opening PDF Files
To open a PDF file that you have downloaded, simply double-click on the file. This should automatically launch Acrobat Reader and the file.

However, if Acrobat Reader does not open, then you should try opening Acrobat Reader program first and then the file.

Open the Acrobat Reader program by double-clicking it's icon in your Applications folder. (The Acrobat Reader icon might also in your Dock. Then choose File>Open from the menu, locate the PDF file you wish to open and click OK. Once the file is open, you have full access to all the features of Acrobat Reader. You can navigate through the text, re-size windows and print the file as well.

Printing the PDF File
You can print the downloaded PDF file by launching the Acrobat Reader application, opening the file, and using the Print command from the application/Acrobat menu.

If the PDF opens in a new browser window, you can also print the document from within the open browser window, by clicking on the printer icon in the Acrobat toolbar.

Still having problems with Acrobat Reader and/or PDF files?
If you are experiencing further difficulties with Acrobat Reader, please consult the extensive Help file that is included with the program while it is running. This Help file will answer most questions and help troubleshoot problems not addressed here.

Once you have tried the Help file within the program, another great source for answers is Adobe's site. Specifically, Adobe Acrobat Reader Support.

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