PDF Creation

Introduction

One of the many uses of the Web is to distribute documents. You may upload and make available any type of file (e.g. presentations, word documents, HTML web pages, spreadsheets, images, etc.).

However, there are some files that are easier and less confusing for the person browsing your site. Our recommendation is to use the PDF (Portable Document Format) when delivering complex documents online. This file type should reduce the time required in supporting your end-users with download issues.

Why use PDFs?

• Your documents will be delivered the way you intended regardless of the operating system and applications others have installed on their computers.
• You may develop your documents in MS Word, or any other application you're comfortable working in, and then easily create PDF files with the simple press of a button.
• PDF files are smaller in size than their original documents—providing quick delivery through e-mail or the Web.
• Your documents will not be editable by the individuals viewing them.
• The Adobe Reader plug-in, required to read the PDF format, is Free to download and widely used as a standard today.

PDF Creation Applications:

• Office 2007 is part of the UI Microsoft Agreement and is free to full-time board-appointed UI employees. Microsoft has a free plug-in for creating PDFs.
• Cute PDF is a VERY basic application that creates PDFs for free.
  Note: Cute PDF is not supported by ITS, but is referenced as a resource.
• Adobe Acrobat Professional software enables you to reliably create, combine, and control Adobe PDF documents for easy, more secure distribution, collaboration, and data collection. The UI Bookstore has academic pricing for Adobe Acrobat Professional.

Install Microsoft Office 2007 PDF Plug-in

The process of adding the free PDF plug-in to Office 2007 is outlined below.

• Open Microsoft Office Word 2007
• Select the Microsoft Button at the top
• Choose Save As
• Select Find add-ins for other file formats

• Scroll half way down the Word Help screen
• Click on Microsoft Save as PDF or XPS Add-in for 2007 Microsoft Office Programs

• A web browser will open and direct you to Microsoft's Download Center.
  NOTE: This tutorial is from the Internet Explorer web browser.
• Press the Continue button.

• Press the Download button

• A File Download dialog box will appear
• Press the Run button

• An Internet Explorer Security dialog box will appear again
• Press the Run button

• An Installation Complete box will appear
• Press the Ok button

Save Document as PDF

• Now when you Save As in Word, or another Office 2007 product, you will see a PDF or XPS option.

• Title the PDF.
• Select the Minimum size unless you have specific settings you want to set. If the file is a digital document, as apposed to a paper scan it should print perfectly with the minimum size option.
• Press the Publish button.

Other PDF Creation Options

• Cute PDF is a VERY basic application that creates PDFs for Free.
  Note: Cute PDF is not supported by ITS, but is referenced as a resource.
• Adobe Acrobat Professional software enables you to reliably create, combine, and control Adobe PDF documents for easy, more secure distribution, collaboration, and data collection. The UI Bookstore has academic pricing for Adobe Acrobat Professional.
• How to Create an Interactive PDF Form
  Adobe Acrobat Professional allows you to create, distribute, and collect data via PDF form electronically.