What is .pdf File Extension?

PDF File Format Specifications

Developer Adobe
MIME Types application/pdf, text/pdf, text/x-pdf, application/acrobat, application/x-pdf, application/x-bzpdf, application/vnd.pdf, application/x-gzpdf
File Category Document Files
Format Type Text & Binary
Supported Platforms Linux, Mac and Windows
File Hex Signature 25 50 44 46 2D 31 2E
ASCII Code %PDF-1

Full Form of PDF

PDF Stands for Portable Document Format.

What is PDF File Format?

Portable Document Format (.pdf extension) file format is invented by Adobe, mainly to view, navigate, exchange, present document in a reliable way that is independent of the operating system, software and hardware. It is an open standard that is used for the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). One can save all data items such as text, images, fonts, 2D vector graphics, etc., as .pdf extension. Moreover, printed document features such as an electronic image, navigate, print or, forward to someone else are also rendered by the PDF file format. A user can it for both personal as well as business use.

Adobe Acrobat or similar products creates PDF document files. Therefore, to open PDF files, a user can download free Adobe Acrobat available online provided by the Adobe System. Apart from Adobe Acrobat, there are much more PDF reader available that can also be used.

Programs to Open PDF Files

As PDF file is the most common file format used by the everyone to store data. Therefore, various programs to open PDF files in Windows 7 and all other version are available and are mentioned below:

  • Google Chrome
  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Adobe Reader
  • Mozilla Firefox
  • Soda PDF
  • PDF Architect

Software to open PDF on Mac OS X:

  • Google Chrome
  • Adobe Reader
  • Adobe Acrobat for Mac
  • Apple Preview
  • Mozilla Firefox

Why Use PDF Format?

PDF file format is widely used in the business world by many companies to edit, collaborate, share and to ensure the security of the content. Here are various benefits of PDF format are discussed that make users use it again and again.

Cross Platform:

The main advantage of using PDF file format is it works on all major operating system that are currently in use. Therefore, it is beneficial for both Windows and Mac user to use .pdf file extension for their important documents.

Provides Password Protection:

Sometimes, a user wants to send the sensitive data to someone else then he can use PDF file that can be password protected. The password protection option to users to lock their PDF file data.

Minimize the File Size:

A user can convert any size file to PDF file without compromising data quality. It also allows users to merge multiple documents, photos, presentation and spreadsheets into a single PDF file.

Fast and Easy to Create:

A user can easily convert any document file such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel file to PDF in a very quick and easy way. The user must have Adobe Acrobat installed on its system.

Searchable Document:

Adobe PDF File also allows users to search anything in the PDF file. They can easily have a quick search through the table of contents that includes all sections of the PDF document.

Provides Mobile Access:

As Adobe Reader is a standalone application, therefore, it is available on every device. Hence, users can use it anywhere they want to read a PDF file. To utilize more functionality, a user can use it on the desktop.

Make an Interactive Document:

User can make his PDF file document interactive. The user can add rich media, movies, hyperlinks, music, and many different advanced features to the PDF format by using the latest version of the Adobe Acrobat.

What is the MIME Type of PDF File Format?

There are various MIME types of Acrobat PDF file available, which are mentioned below

  • application/pdf
  • text/pdf
  • text/x-pdf
  • application/acrobat
  • application/x-pdf
  • application/x-bzpdf
  • application/vnd.pdf
  • application/x-gzpd

How To Make PDF File From Word?

To save Word file as PDF file format, one must follow the mentioned below steps:

  1. First, go to File and click on Export
  2. Select Create PDF/ XPS option or Save as option and save it as PDF file format document

Conclusion

As everybody knows PDF file format is the most widely used format in personal as well as the business world. Therefore, this article will let you know all about the PDF file document. After doing a research on PDF file extension, we have discussed about what is .pdf file format and all the various benefits of using PDF formats that makes PDF document most popular among all and on what software a user can open and edit PDF file.