Adobe Reader vs. Adobe Acrobat
Explaining the differences between Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Reader
Many people around an office can be confused about the capabilities of Adobe Acrobat versus those of Adobe Reader. Adding to the confusion is that early versions of Adobe Reader were named Acrobat Reader. These are now two distinct software offerings from Adobe. Below is a quick breakdown of the capabilities of each:
Adobe Acrobat
Create and exchange documents, collect and compare comments, and tailor file security to distribute reliable and polished Adobe PDF documents. It is worth noting that in version 8.0 and higher, Adobe divided the Acrobat software into two packages: ‘Acrobat Standard’ and ‘Acrobat Pro’. Acrobat Standard has limited capabilities. Basically some features you enjoyed in version 7 were not available unless you paid more for the ‘Pro’ package when upgrading to version 8 or higher.
Capabilities of Acrobat
- Creating multi-page PDFs (inserting and extracting pages)
- Optimize scanned PDF (straightening bad scans, minimizing file size)
- Add Header/Footer and page numbering
- Creating document navigation (bookmarks, links within document)
- Advanced Editing Tools:
- - Text TouchUp – ability to edit text
- Object TouchUp – removing objects, placing images, moving objects within a layout (Acrobat Pro only)
- Cropping - Exporting to another file format
- Form creation (Acrobat Pro only)
Adobe Reader
Adobe Reader is a free, stand-alone application that you can use to open, view, search*, and print PDF files.
Capabilities of Reader
- Print and Save PDFs locally
- Search open documents/multiple documents
- Snapshot tool
Expanded Capabilities (based on original PDF author’s security settings)
- Commenting and Mark up
- Signature
- Save form data
* The search function is enabled on PDFs that were either exported from the source software (Word, Powerpoint, InDesign, etc.). Scanned PDFs are essentially images that cannot be searched .
How to create a user-friendly PDF for people who use only Reader?
- Enable User Rights in Reader* under the ‘Advanced’ menu
- Adjust Security Settings so users can save and print
- Make all forms writable, no one should have to print, fill, and scan forms
- Use Navigation tools such as Bookmarks and a linked Table of Contents
- Showing Bookmarks and Page in the Navigation Tab (found in the Initial View settings under Properties)
* Save file with a new name, editing options will be limited (ie, text touch-up, less document properties options, cannot add header/footer) once a PDF document is rights-enabled.
I thought I would leave my first comment, Thank you and I will want to read more from you.
Hi guys,
I know this might be a bit off topic but seeing that a bunch of you own websites, where would the best place be to host. Someone recommended I use Blue Host for $6.95 a month which seems like a great deal. Anyone here on frankiesfolioblog.com using them?
Here’s your plug Blue Host! This blog is not hosted by Blue Host, but I have worked with them on a client’s site and their WordPress support is excellent.
I never imagined I would need to know this thank goodness for the web