Electronic Documents and Acrobat

Some online documents are available as Adobe Acrobat files in portable document format (PDF), a format that allows access to electronic documents that look exactly like paper versions from any type of computer (Windows, Macintosh, or UNIX/Linux) provided it has the appropriate viewing software.

In order to view and print Acrobat PDF files, you will need to obtain a copy of the free Acrobat Reader software and then install it on your computer. You can obtain the software either through Bear Access as detailed below, or directly from Adobe's web site.

Obtaining Acrobat Reader through Bear Access

At Cornell, the easiest way to get the latest version of the Acrobat Reader is through Bear Access' Updates & Extras service.

1. Go to uPortal.Cornell
2. Click on the Bear Access tab
3. Scroll down to the Updates and Extras folder
4. Click on Get Acrobat Reader

Finding and Opening Acrobat Files

When you click on a link to a PDF file, one of two things should happen:

1. The PDF file will open in your web browser window if you have Acrobat set up as a "plug-in," or will open in its own window if you have Acrobat set up as a "helper application." Most web browsers are pre-configured to handle PDF files.

2. If your web browser is not set up to recognize PDF files, a dialog box will offer you some options, including saving the PDF file to your hard drive to open with Acrobat Reader later.

Within Acrobat, you can use the Help command for assistance.