Creating a PDF is a great way to make sure your document reads just like you wrote it. No matter what device is being used The easiest way to share files and photos with friends on any device The easiest way to share files and photos with friends on any device But of the many messaging apps and social networking services it offers? The most intuitive file sharing user experience with both speed and security in mind? Read More
If you want your document to be read, it's important to make sure it's easy to read. Unless you take the time to polish your work 4 Methods to Create and Edit PDF Files for Free 4 Methods to Create and Edit PDF Files for Free Of all the common file types found in our computing world, the PDF is probably one of the most restrictive, while at the same time being available for everyone to use (mainly for reading)... Read More For clear and effective communication, you need to create a clear and concise document.
Follow these tips and you'll be on your way to a professional-quality PDF, ready for distribution.
Tags are a crucial part of making any PDF accessible. You may not be able to see it, but it is the information that applications use to decode the document and present it as intended. It's best to check that tagging is enabled before you create a PDF so you can be sure it will look exactly the way you want when another user opens it.
If you're creating a PDF with a program like Adobe Acrobat, tagging will be enabled by default. However, that might not be the case if you're using Microsoft Word. 10 Simple Microsoft Word Hacks Everyone Can Do 10 Simple Microsoft Word Hacks Everyone Can Do Our knowledge of Microsoft Word is tested every time we get a document to work on. Every little tip learned along the way helps. How about ten more hacks for your daily productivity? Read more . To check this, go to the Acrobat ribbon and select Preferences from the Create Adobe PDF Section:You may need to install Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat to view this.
Here, you need to make sure that Enable accessibility and reflow with tagged Adobe PDF is checked Now when you create a PDF in Word, use the Save as Adobe PDF Option instead of the basic functionality that comes with the Office suite.
If your document requires it, you can also tag manually using Adobe Acrobat. However, in most cases auto-tagging will suffice.
Typography is crucial for any text-heavy document, so there's a lot of value in the time you spend formatting your PDF. Find an Appropriate and Readable Font 5 Sites to Discover and Download Free Fonts 5 Sites to Discover and Download Free Fonts Finding permissions-compensated fonts can be a challenge. Currently, Cool Websites and Tools completes five sites with unique fonts that could be perfect for your next project. Read More A sans serif typeface is probably your best option, as it's the easiest text to read.
Since you can rely on the PDF file type to keep its formatting intact, make full use of bold and italics. If you want to draw attention to a few words in particular , make them bold - if it's a long passage that you want to set apart from the rest of your document, put it in italics.
A long PDF document that is filled with nothing but page after page of text will tire readers out quickly. Cleverly selected images can break that monotony and make it easier for the audience to take in the information you're trying to convey.
Of course, this shouldn't be taken as a cause for shoehorning images without rhyme or reason, it really has to be something that complements your text. If an image doesn't fit the bill, why not try presenting some of your information as a graph or diagram? Create professional charts and graphs with these 6 free tools Create professional charts and graphs with these 6 free tools Charts and diagrams are not just the domain of office workers and people in the business world. These six free online tools give you the power of instant visualization. Read more ? With due consideration, that will add some variety without acting as a distraction.
The key here is that any images you include must add value, or you're just adding bulk to the overall document. Don't wait until you've finished writing the document to make considerations like this; instead, consider adding visual interest as you create the file.
It's also worth remembering that images may display incorrectly and some users may use text-to-speech 5 Ways to Make Your Windows Computer Talk to You 5 Ways to Make Your Windows Computer Talk to You Lean in and listen:let your PC do the reading Windows comes built-in with the ability to read text, and third-party applications offer additional features. Let us show you the details. Read More program to listen to your document, instead of reading it. As such, it's worth adding concise captions to any images you use to make sure the meaning isn't lost.
One thing that can immediately turn off a reader of your PDF is eye strain. Black text on a white background can be quite tiring to look at for long periods of time, so it may be worth choosing one less grid color scheme.
Fortunately, this is something that is very easy to fix. In Adobe Reader, go to Edit> Preferences and select the Accessibility category. Then, check the box marked Replace Document Colors and select a set of custom colors that are easier for you to read over long periods of time.
While this is an easy solution when working with documents created by others, it's also something to keep in mind when creating your own PDF files. How easy it is to read can be the difference between your work not being read and your points being ingested and understood.
Access is a key element of accessibility:if a user can't get their hands on your file, they won't be able to read it. There are two main points to keep in mind when distributing a PDF; To whom it is sent and how they will read it..
The first consideration will vary case by case. For example, if it's a work project, the best way to distribute it is probably your company's preferred internal messaging system. If you're looking to target a larger audience, it might be worth looking into online file storage like Dropbox. Make Dropbox even more amazing with these time-saving shortcuts. your files, you can also go to great lengths to get more of it. Get started by trying out the awesome shortcuts listed here. Read More
The device on which your reader is going to view the PDF is also important. If it's just your computer, then there's a certain degree of flexibility in how you get the file into your chosen PDF reader. However, if you want to use an e-reader, Make Your PDFs More EReader Friendly with Briss Make Your PDFs More EReader Friendly with Briss Read More
However, if that eReader is a Kindle, there's a particularly easy way to stream your document. Find the Send to Kindle device email address by going to Manage your content and device s> Settings> Personal Document Settings> Kindle Send Email Settings. Simply send the PDF as an attachment to that address, and it will be available for viewing on your Kindle.
Do you have a great tip for users looking to make their PDF documents accessible? Let us know in the comments section below.
