The program for reading the title. How to open PDF files

If you have had to download books, reports or other text documents from the Internet, then you have probably come across files that have the pdf extension. Once in this situation, users often do not know how to open a PDF file. As a rule, programs for working with PDF are simply installed on the computer, which confuses many. In this article, we will briefly review a number of popular programs that allow you to open PDF files.

One of the most popular programs, of course, is Adobe (Acrobat) Reader. This software is developed by Adobe. Adobe Reader provides the user with a complete set of basic functions for reading and viewing PDF documents. If this is your first time encountering this type of document and you don't know how to open a PDF file, then Adobe Reader is the perfect choice for you.

In addition to Adobe Reader, Adobe releases software to create PDF documents. This is Adobe Acrobat. This program is paid and is available in two versions Acrobat Standard and Acrobat Pro.

Screenshot of Adobe (Acrobat) Reader:

You can learn more about the Adobe Reader program from the official website.

Another fairly popular program for working with PDF documents. Foxit Reader has gained its popularity due to its simplicity and low system resource requirements. Foxit Reader can be used without problems even on the weakest computers. For a long time, this program was distributed without an installer, just as an EXE file ready to go.

At the same time, the Foxit Reader program is almost in no way inferior to Adobe Reader. It has all the necessary functions for full-fledged work with PDF files. When people ask me how to open a pdf file, I recommend this particular program.

It should be noted that Foxit Reader is a cross-platform solution. Now there are versions of this program for such operating systems as: Microsoft Windows, Windows Mobile, Linux, iOS, Android and Symbian.

Screenshot of Foxit Reader:

To learn more about this software, please visit the official website.

Another easy and fast pdf reader. Except simple reading pdf documents Cool PDF Reader is equipped with a number of other features that set it apart from its competitors.

Let's take a closer look at the main features of Cool PDF Reader:

• View and print PDF documents;
• Convert PDF documents to such formats as: TXT, BMP, JPG, GIF, PNG, WMF, EMF and EPS;
• Extract text from PDF format to TXT;
• Support for all versions of PDF format;
• Support for 68 different languages;
• View PDF files as a slide show;

At the same time, the program has a size of only 808 kilobytes and is not very demanding on computer resources.

Screenshot of Cool PDF Reader:

You can learn more about the Cool PDF Reader program on the official website.

Sumatra PDF is open source software. In addition to PDF files, it can also work with ePub, XPS, MOBI, CHM, DjVu, CBZ and CBR files. This program is available both as an installer and in a portable version.

Other features of the Sumatra PDF program include:

• Simple and intuitive interface;
• Support for more than 60 languages;
• Correct smoothing of images when scaling a document;
• Regular updates;

Screenshot of Sumatra PDF:

You can learn more about the program on the official website.

STDU Viewer is a universal viewer electronic documents. STDU Viewer supports a large number of formats and is equipped with all the necessary functions to work with them. By installing this program, you will no longer have questions about how to open a PDF file, or a document in another format. STDU Viewer will solve all your problems.

Let's consider in more detail the main features of the STDU Viewer program:

• Document Viewer: PDF, Comic Book Archive (CBR or CBZ), DjVu, FB2, XPS, TCR, ePub, Multipage TIFF, TXT, EMF, WMF, PalmDoc, BMP, JPG, JPEG, GIF, PNG, PCX, DCX , PSD, MOBI and AZW;
• Simple and intuitive interface with tab support;
• The ability to adjust the display settings of the document (brightness, contrast, etc.);
• View page thumbnails;
• Create custom bookmarks;
• For text documents, the user can control the size and color of fonts;
• Powerful search in text documents;
• Support for several languages, including Russian;
• Possibility to print documents;

STDU Viewer is a rather young program. The first version of STDU Viewer appeared in 2007. Then the program supported only three formats: PDF, DjVu and TIFF. As you can see, the program has come a long way during its development and now allows you to open a large number of different formats.

Screenshot of STDU Viewer:

You can learn more about this program on the official website.

A few words about the PFD format

PDF or Portable Document Format is one of the most common electronic document formats. This format was developed by Adobe Systems. The first version of the format appeared back in 1993. After that, the format actively developed. Almost every year it added support for new features. So, during the development of the Portable Document Format, such features were added as: password protection, Unicode support, interactive elements, links, digital signatures, transparency, text layers, forms, encryption, and much more.

The main purpose of PDF is the publication of printing products in electronic form. Most of professional printing equipment supports the format, and can print such documents without additional processing or conversion.

At the beginning of its journey, the PDF format was not very popular. And there were objective reasons for this:

• The necessary software to work with the format was paid;
• The format did not support external links, which did not allow it to be fully used on the World Wide Web;
• PDF files weighed significantly more than regular text documents. This also created barriers to its use on the Internet;
• Processing documents in this format required significant system resources, which led to slow display of the document on weak computers:
• In addition, there were other formats that created competition.

Now, none of these issues are relevant to the PDF format anymore. Adobe has released a free version of the PDF viewer, and there are also programs from other manufacturers.

For more than 10 years of existence, the format has come a long way of development and this moment is a very powerful and flexible document creation tool.

Good day!

Magazines, books, scanned documents, forms, drawings, and more are now often distributed in PDF format. Like it or not, but without special software for working with these formats - not there, not here ...

Actually, in this article I have collected some of the most popular products for working with this format. I think that the material will be relevant both for those who have encountered some kind of problem and cannot read a specific PDF file, and for those who are looking for handy tool for everyday tasks.

The article will present programs of different directions, functionality, design, and demands on system resources. I hope everyone will be able to choose a "soft" for their current tasks. And so, more to the point ...

Remarque!

For example, formats such as txt, fb2, html, rtf, doc are much more convenient to read in special formats. readers than in Word or notepad.Link -

Top 6 PDF Viewers

Adobe Acrobat Reader

Opened page of my site, saved in PDF

One of the most popular programs for PDF reader (which is not surprising, because Acrobat Reader is a product from the developer of this format) .

It has some of the widest range of reading, printing and PDF editing. I note that not so long ago this reader was integrated with the "cloud" (Adobe Document Cloud), thanks to which, now it has become much more convenient to work simultaneously on a PC and mobile gadgets!

I must say that Adobe Acrobat Reader has amazing compatibility: some PDF files (especially large ones) that are not displayed correctly in any other readers are presented here in normal mode.

Therefore, in my opinion, even if you do not specifically use this program, it would not be superfluous to have it in reserve ...

Add. capabilities:

• fast conversion of PDF file to formats Word programs or Excel;
• now it is not necessary to have paper forms - you can fill them out electronically and send them by mail. Adobe Acrobat Reader allows you to do this;
• in addition to the Adobe Document Cloud, you can set up your system so that PDF will be available on such popular cloud drives as: Box, Dropbox and ;
• The reader allows you to create annotations and comments to the files you are viewing.

STDU Viewer

Very compact, free and versatile reader for various formats: PDF, DjVu, XPS, TIFF, TXT, BMP, GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, etc.

I would highlight the key advantages: low demands on PC resources, you can open several documents at once in one window, content with quick links is displayed on the panel on the side. A bookmark system is also conveniently built in, allowing you to return to the last read place with one click.

In addition, easy page scaling, page rotation by 90-180 degrees, document printing, gamma and contrast adjustment, etc. are available.

There is a possibility PDF conversion and DjVu files in text formats. In general, the program deserves attention and acquaintance!

Foxit Reader

A very handy PDF reader. I would like to immediately note its relatively low system requirements (in relation to the same Adobe Reader), a convenient bookmark system, a side menu (with open book), modern interface. In general, the abundance of all kinds of functions and possibilities is amazing (in fact, one can say: a multifunctional program).

Peculiarities:

• the program interface is as close as possible to Word, Excel, etc. (which causes a clear disposition to the product);
• the ability to quickly customize the toolbar (add what you often need and remove what you do not use);
• the program supports the touch screen (in full);
• the ability to create a PDF portfolio;
• filling out PDF (Acroform) and XFA forms (XML form architecture);
• support for all modern versions of Windows 7, 8, 10.

Sumatra PDF

Supported formats: PDF, eBook, XPS, DjVu, CHM.

If you are looking for a very simple, compact and quick program to view PDF - then I'm not afraid to say that Sumatra PDF will the best choice! Both the program itself and the files in it open as quickly as your system allows.

Peculiarities:

• the design is made in the style of minimalism (so popular lately). Main priority functions: viewing and printing of files;
• support for 60 languages ​​(including Russian);
• there is a portable version that does not need to be installed (you can carry it with you on a USB flash drive, and if anything, you can open PDF on any PC);
• unlike its counterparts (including Adobe Acrobat Reader), the program correctly scales pictures in black and white(a very useful thing when reading books);
• correctly reads and recognizes hyperlinks embedded in PDF;
• Sumatra does not block an open PDF file (relevant for those who work with TeX systems);
• supported by Windows XP, 7, 8, 10 (32.64 bits).

PDF-XChange Viewer

Multifunctional PDF viewer. Separately, I would note its relatively low system requirements, rich functionality, simple and convenient interface. By the way, the program supports the Russian language.

Peculiarities:

• detailed font settings, image display, navigation settings, etc. allow you to comfortably read even large files;
• the ability to view several files at once (including protected ones);
• detailed customization of the viewing area and toolbar;
• possibility of conversion PDF documents to image formats: BMP, JPEG, TIFF, PNG, etc.;
• integration with popular translators ABBYY Lingvo and Translate It!
• there are plugins for IE and Firefox browsers;
• the ability to send PDF by e-mail directly from the viewer window (very handy when you have a lot of scanned documents);
• allows you to extract text from PDF, and much more...

Hamster PDF Reader

Simple, convenient, tasteful! Hamster PDF Reader (preview from home page office site)

Hamster PDF Reader - regarding new program, which allows you to view not only PDF, but also formats such as XPS, DjVu. The program interface is made in the style of Office 2016 (similar to Foxit Reader).

The program is not replete with features, but it has everything that most people need: viewing settings (font, sheet, brightness, full screen mode, etc.), printing, bookmarks, etc.

Another plus: the program does not have to be installed (there is a portable version). Thus, it can be written to a USB flash drive and always have it on hand to work with PDF.

In general, an interesting and not cluttered product that allows you to solve the most mundane tasks.

Suggestions on the subject are welcome...

Good luck and good reading!

PDF is one of the most common formats for documentation, e-books, and manuals. In PDF format, you can save information in any form, and it will be displayed everywhere in the same way, i.e. the formatting and layout of the document will always be the same. This PDF format has earned its recognition.

To begin with, I want to make it clear right away that the programs that will be discussed open PDF files ONLY FOR VIEWING, i.e. it is IMPOSSIBLE to change something in the document with their help. Some programs allow only or modify the text, but not the content. The PDF format itself is quite specific, and even with the help of editors, the process of editing it is not at all similar to working with a Word document.

In the very simple case, you can read the file in any modern browser: Google Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Internet Explorer, Edge. The functionality will be limited: only content viewing and printing. To do this, just transfer the file to an empty browser tab. But if the PDF file does not open like this, then try installing one of the programs.

Uncompromising Acrobat

In order not to have any problems with displaying PDF files, it is best to install the program of the format developer himself - Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Just select the language of the program "Russian" if the download page itself did not correctly determine. The installation process is trivial, click "Next" all the time.

Adobe has a complete package for working with PDF documents, including creating and editing - but it is paid.

Acrobat Reader provides a good set of features and flexibility to customize for ease of use. It is completely free for home use, and for commercial, is on my list. At the first start, you will need to confirm the use of a free license. Most likely, you don’t even have to go into the settings, because by default the program works fine.

In the latest versions of Adobe Reader, there is still a small opportunity to change the file. These are text selection and comment insertion tools. The name "Text Highlighting" is probably not a very successful Russian translation, because "Text Highlighting" is more suitable. To highlight the text, click on the icon in the toolbar and select the text, and the add comments icon is located immediately to the left.

By default, text is highlighted yellow. You can change the highlight color only after highlighting with the default color. To do this, double-click on the selection and in the window click on the icon and select "Properties". From there, you can also remove the highlight and add or edit a comment.

Alternative programs for PDF

Acrobat Reader is, of course, far from the only PDF viewer out there. The developers have managed to make an ordinary viewer a relatively heavyweight product. Basically there are no problems, but the program takes a long time to install and sometimes slows down.

Foxit Reader

The program is lightweight and has a simple interface. As a result, Foxit Reader starts up quickly and is less demanding on computer resources.

Particular attention is paid to security, namely, at the first start it is proposed to install safe mode, which does not open attachments in the document and does not run scripts. Foxit Reader allows you to select text, insert comments, graphic objects, multimedia files (video and audio), but you can edit text only in the paid Foxit PDF Editor package.

However, over time, Foxit Reader also became heavier, so I advise you to run its portable version.

Portable versions differ in that they are lighter and installation is very fast or not required at all. At the first start, a window with two buttons will pop up, select "Not Now". To make the program in Russian, you need to go to the menu "File -> Preferences -> Language -> select Russian"

And restart the program with the "Restart Now" button.

Lightest - Sumatra PDF

This is already an open source project, the program is the lightest and not at all demanding on resources. Can open not only PDF, but also CHM, XPS, DjVu, CBZ and CBR files.

Two versions are available: for installation and portable (works without installation). Since Sumatra PDF is already very light, I advise you to download full version, so you can immediately set the program to open all PDF files by default.

There are practically no settings for the program, everything is easy and simple.

The .PDF format appeared in 1993 and was developed by Adobe Systems. Explanation of the abbreviation in the name of the extension - Portable Document Format.

Program to open PDF files

The standard option for those cases when you need to open a PDF file and view its contents. This program was created by the same company that developed the .PDF format, and is undoubtedly the most popular "reader". We also convert Pdf using this program. Free software (paid subscription to Pro version will allow you to create and edit PDF files).

What are PDF files used for?

Most often, files with this extension are product manuals, electronic books, flyers, applications for work, scanned documents and brochures.

The reason for the popularity of this format is that PDF files do not depend on the programs in which they were created, nor on any particular operating system or equipment. They will look the same on any device.

Adobe Reader is the most popular application for reading PDF documents. An important factor in the distribution of Adobe Reader is its presence on many discs with drivers, games and other applications. The developer has attached PDF documentation to his product, but standard Windows tools do not allow reading it. Must be added to disk special program. Her choice in the vast majority of cases is not original - it is Adobe Reader.

New versions of applications, the development of which began a long time ago, are often overgrown with a mass of secondary functions, the interface becomes more complicated, and the speed of work decreases. And now more progressive and nimble competitors are slowly pushing the old man out of the market. But this has nothing to do with Adobe Reader. Against, latest versions programs are much easier to learn than their older brothers. The program is developing, first of all, towards support for new PDF standards, allowing you to display more complex documents using the latest technology visualization.

The working window of Adobe Reader contains a toolbar with a small number of buttons (nothing more), as well as a small sidebar from which the main service modes of the application are called. There is no status bar in its usual sense.

Toolbars are highly customizable. You can add or remove buttons on them, move them, block changes.

The convenience of reading documents is provided by a powerful scaling system. You can show the entire page on the screen, bind its scale horizontally or vertically. The last option is not found in other applications. In addition, you can bind relative to the content of the page. The document is shown a little larger by excluding margins.

Full screen viewing is supported. Unlike some competitors, this mode absolutely lives up to its name. There are no controls left on the screen, only pages of the open document. There is also a second, less radical regime. With its help, all panels are hidden, except for the window title and the main menu. Again, there is a big saving of free space on the screen.

The program has a powerful search system. You can search for text not only in open document, but also in all PDFs inside the specified folder. Full word search is supported, case sensitive. You can search not only directly in the text of the document, but also in bookmarks and comments.

Adobe Reader has support for working with forms. With it, you can enter, save and send information. There is support for barcodes. You can customize the rules automatic filling forms. If permissions allow, you can add comments to forms. And, most importantly, what distinguishes Adobe Reader from other applications is the ability to check spelling in text input fields.

There is support for document authentication, viewing protection. You can specify trusted persons, certificates. Accessibility Assistant allows you to change the display rules of the current document, if its protection does not prohibit such actions. This is necessary, for example, for users with low vision. Adobe Reader makes it easy for people with disabilities to view and navigate PDF documents. handicapped. Advanced features include automatic text scrolling, PDF reflow, keyboard-only control, reading document text aloud.

A separate panel allows you to view the list of comments to the document. You can search for text in them. It is possible to sort them by type, by state, by reviewers. All changes made to a document are monitored by the revision inspector. You can view your own adjustments, history of changes, a list of what needs to be done.

The program contains an RSS news reader module. You can subscribe to channels, read them in a separate dialog box. To be honest, it is not entirely clear why an RSS reader was also needed in the PDF viewing tool. Network functions are not limited to this. You can also organize online conferences using Adobe Reader, as well as view documents together.

You can work with digital signatures. For this, certificates are used. By configuring directory servers, you can determine the location of certificates and store them.

The latest version of Adobe Reader supports all modern standards used in PDF documents. For this reason, the product includes a hardware-accelerated 3D viewer. A special panel of models allows you to view their list, open, rotate, scale.

The program has a fairly detailed local help system. But most full information provided online, on the official page of the application. It's already in English.

If there are no specific requirements for the application, then Adobe Reader is today the best choice to read PDF documents. Support for all standards allows you not to worry about whether any complex file will be displayed correctly. In addition, the program is integrated into modern browsers, which makes it possible to quickly view online documents downloaded from the Web.

The only point where an alternative application can excel is in system requirements. Adobe Reader has a fairly large distribution size, takes up quite a lot of space in random access memory and is a bit slower than some competitors. However, the program has been tested for quite a few old car, and even opening electronic versions of magazines, books with a volume of tens of megabytes did not lead to noticeable slowdowns in Adobe Reader.