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Portable Document Format: 5 Benefits of Using PDF Files

You’ve likely heard of PDFs, but what exactly are they?

Let’s start from the beginning. PDF stands for “portable document format.” It was introduced in 1993 as a new way to present documents online.

Fast forward to 2020, and PDFs are some of the most popular online documents today. Industries rely on this format to present everything from sales charts to user manuals.

Think you know everything there is to know about PDFs? Read on to discover even more benefits of your favorite file format!

1. Save More Space

Are you running out of space on your hard drive? This problem can impact your computer’s performance and jeopardize your document creation process. One computer crash can wipe away all your work.

One solution is to use small file formats like PDFs. These file formats are smaller than TIFF formats, for example.

You can reduce their size even further without sacrificing quality. Use the “reduce size” option when saving your PDFs. A vb.net pdf program also allows users to optimize document sizes.

2. Improve Document Security

Cybersecurity is a critical concern for individuals and businesses alike. Not all of your documents are meant for mass online consumption. Fortunately, you can easily password-protect your PDFs.

PDFs are also encrypted for safe document transfer between users. You can also prevent other users from copying and saving text and visuals to their hard drives.

3. Compatibility Across the Board

Incompatible file formats are a pain. They hold up file transfers, business operations, and have sent many college students into a panic. Having a reliable file format is critical, whether you’re at the office or school.

PDFs are some of the most compatible file formats and work seamlessly on PCs, Apple computers, Microsoft Office, Google Docs, and mobile devices. You can even create PDF documents on-the-go with your smartphone!

4. Versatile Document Creation

On-to-go mobile PDFs are just one example of the file format’s versatility. There are so many things you can do with PDFs. Most users only scratch the surface.

For starters, you can integrate multiple elements into your documents.

Check out these cool elements that you can add to your files:

  • Signatures
  • Input field boxes
  • Videos
  • Images
  • Hyperlinks
  • Slide presentations
  • Social media share buttons
  • Embedded tweets
  • Audio
  • Bar charts

These integrations allow users to create engaging, interactive reports. Use a projector to present your reports at conferences and industry events!

5. An Asset for Online Education

Online education is on the rise, with over 6 million students enrolled in distance-learning programs. This number doesn’t even include those enrolled in professional certificate programs and workshops.

PDFs are an asset for online instructors. This file format allows instructors to create engaging lessons and syllabi. Plus, they’re compatible with such tools like screen sharing, Zoom, and Slack.

Discover the Benefits of PDF Files for Yourself

Stop scratching the surface and dig into the real benefits of PDF files. Refer to this guide as you learn the ins and outs of this popular format to create documents with impact.

Do you need more resources to complement your PDFs? Visit the blog to discover even more design tips for marketing, business, and more.