TECH TIP:  Create a PDF File

If you want to send a file as an attachment, you have to be sure that the person receiving the file has the program you used to create the file.  For example, if you create a Microsoft Word file to send as an attachment, you must be sure that the person receiving the file also has Microsoft Word.  Not everyone has Microsoft Word!  (I didn’t know that).  Macintosh people typically don’t have Microsoft Word, although it is available for Macs.

Or if you want to send a Microsoft Publisher file or a file from some other program that someone is likely not to have, what do you do?

Here’s the solution:  Convert the file to an Acrobat Reader file sometimes called PDF files.  Anyone using any platform (PC or MAC) can open a PDF file using the free Acrobat Reader program. (available here:  http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html )

So, how do you do that?

There are 2 ways to create an Acrobat Reader file;  
      -  With the $100 Adobe Acrobat program - OR
      -  With a FREEWARE program call PrimoPDF

Note:  I have both Adobe Acrobat and PrimoPDF.  I use PrimoPDF . It is fast and easy to use and dependable.
 

The website to download this freeware program is:
http://www.primopdf.com/
 

You need to download the program and install it on your computer.
 

After it is installed on your computer, You are ready to make a PDF file. 
 

1. Open a file (Word, Excel, Publisher - any file that you want to convert to PDF).
    
2. Click on File and then click on Print. 
   Your print dialog box will open.  Click on the down arrow in the Name box – it’s to the left of the Properties button.
    
3. You will see PrimoPDF as one of the listed printers.
   Click on it.
    
4. Click OK.  Click Browse. 
    
5. Type a name for the PDF file where is says file name and locate where you want the PDF file to be saved (click on the down arrow at the top to the right of Save As.
    
6. Click Save.
    
7. Click on the button next to For Print and click OK. (I don’t normally use the For Screen option),
    
8. Your PDF file will be saved on your hard drive in the location you specified. 

That’s it - you can now send that file to anyone and they will be able to open it with Acrobat Reader.

Another reason to send Acrobat Reader files is that it prevents people from changing your document.  (They actually can hack into it with Adobe Acrobat or other programs like
 

Finally, If you don’t have Microsoft Word and are looking for a word processor, check out this link.  There are a variety of word processing programs here and many are compatible with Microsoft Word.  Some are FREE. 

http://microsoft.toddverbeek.com/wp.html