Creating PDFs

Setting PDF open options

The way in which a PDF first opens can be customised to ensure that it is viewed by the user as you intended.

For example, PDFs can be set to open so that the:

whole page is visible when first opened
bookmarks are displayed
page is displayed 'fit width'.

These and other 'open' options can be set; although it is important to remember that some options are not appropriate for PDFs published on web sites.

To set the 'open' options:

Open the PDF in Acrobat (not the Reader) and select File > Document Info > Open.
The following Initial View options must be set for PDF files that are for use on the web:
- Bookmarks and Page (if you have set bookmarks), or
  Page Only (if no bookmarks).
- Select Magnification: Fit Width or 100%.
  Opening at 'Fit in Window' or 'Fit Visible' can cause the page to be too small (especially on small, lower resolution monitors) and users will miss important information.
- Select Page Layout: Single Page.
Under Window Options, do not check the Resize Window to Initial Page checkbox because this can cause problems when users open the PDF using a browser plug in.
Select File > Save As and ensure the Optimize checkbox is checked. Click Save.
Note: If you just use 'Save' (i.e. don't use 'Save As') the PDF will become un-optimised.

A batch process can be used to set the open options for more than one PDF file at the same time. The same batch process can also be used to set security options.

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Last updated 14 July 2005