Adobe Acrobat Pro DC

View PDF files online and on your computer with an updated version of Adobe Acrobat Professional, an application that also lets you edit PDFs.

While there are a number of programs that will let you view files in the PDF format, Adobe Acrobat Professional is one of the only applications that will let you edit those files too. You'll find that you need documents in this format for any number of reasons, such as when you file your annual taxes through the mail, apply for certain jobs online or submit work you did at home to your supervisor. When you have an updated version of this versatile program, it will let you automatically view the PDFs you have on your computer and those you find online.

It's hard to understand the scope of Adobe Acrobat Professional until you actually open a file with it. You can read or view the document as-is, but you may also zoom in or out based on the font size. It lets you edit these documents in a number of ways. A few examples include adding a digital signature, placing a stamp or watermark on the page and leaving behind a comment. Once you finish making changes, you can save the file as a PDF or even use another format like HTML.

If you need to create new PDF files, you'll find this program especially helpful. Not only can you edit and save existing files, but you can also generate a PDF file from a Word document, an image or almost any other file on your computer. If you use your scanner to transmit information to your PC, you may find that it saves the files as JPEGs or in another picture format. With Adobe Acrobat Professional, you can change those files into PDF documents in just a few mouse clicks.

It also works with optical character scanning. When you scan a document with OCR technology, it identifies the characters and symbols on that piece of paper. Adobe Acrobat Professional will then transform this data into a PDF form that you can fill out and submit or use online.

Some of the major disadvantages associated with this application are its overall cost and large size. While you can get a free trial version, it will expire and keep you from using the program until you pay for it.

Pros:

• Lets you view PDF files online or on your computer
• One of the best PDF creation programs for professionals
• Gives you the chance to edit existing PDF files
• Creates new PDF files from documents and photos
• Works with OCR scanning products and data

Cons:

• Large size takes up necessary computer space
• Requires payment after the trial expires
• Installation can take an hour or longer
• An expensive alternative to free PDF creation programs
• Takes up to 60 seconds or longer to open