PDFs at OTC
This article is OTC’s guide to using PDFs on OTC computers. These days, PDFs can be viewed and even edited by many different programs. PDF is a flexible format that can go from the most basic sort of static content to fillable fields to even more complex, interactable content. Some websites may embed PDF files and require certain browser settings to work properly, and there are fully-featured PDF programs that will let you view, edit, create, and use plugins to create complicated PDFs. This article will go over each type.
Index
Viewing PDFs
Edge
If your computer has no other PDF software installed, or if this is your first time signing into a particular computer, Windows will set Edge as your default PDF application. This will let you view and fill out fillable PDF files via an Edge browser tab when you click on a PDF file saved on your computer, or when you click on a PDF link you find on a website.
OTC Edge Specific PDF Setting
Please note that Edge has a particular setting that was administratively set and is managed by the organization. When you have your default PDF application set to anything other than Edge, such as a desktop application like Adobe Acrobat or Foxit, Edge will download the PDF automatically.
edge://settings/privacy/sitePermissions/allPermissions/pdfDocuments
This setting cannot be overridden and can cause errors viewing PDFs online.
There are some workarounds depending on how you perform work or what you’re trying to achieve. One option is the Adobe Reader Extension for Edge.
Another option is to use Chrome instead:
Chrome
On OTC office Windows computers, users can self-install Chrome from the OTC Software Center. Much like Edge, Chrome can view and allow fillable PDFs to be filled. There are no OTC-enforced PDF settings for Chrome.
Adobe Acrobat (for the Web)
You can view and perform some unique functions using Adobe Acrobat’s cloud version here:
The features Adobe offers vary (they are managed by Adobe), so they will not be listed here. If you’re trying to accomplish something with a PDF but do not ordinarily need a licensed copy of PDF software, try this out to see if it will work.
You can sign in with your OTC Google Account if you do not want to create an account using personal information.
Foxit Cloud
Much like Adobe’s cloud solution, Foxit also has one, that offers similar, but possibly different, functionality. That web app is here:
You can sign in with Microsoft using your OTC Credentials. If your OTC account is not licensed, it will give you the Freemium plan.
Adobe Acrobat Reader (desktop)
On OTC office Windows computers, users can self-install Adobe Acrobat Reader from the OTC Software Center. Adobe Acrobat Reader may display PDFs that have unique Adobe or other content that requires a more fully-featured viewer than what your web browser can support.
Creating or Editing PDFs
Microsoft Word
Word can open and edit PDF files! However, please be aware it might not look the same when edited in Word than it would in a more fully featured PDF editor like Adobe Acrobat Pro or Foxit Pro. This might be useful for creating basic PDF files that have static, informational content and images, such as fliers or notices.
Foxit Pro
OTC has pro licensing with Foxit for the creation and editing of PDF files. If your job duties require the regular editing or creating of PDF files, you may want to ask your manager to submit a ticket to Help Desk to request a Foxit Pro License for your account.
Please include:
The Employee’s Name who needs the license
The computer tag number to have Foxit Pro desktop software installed to
Please note that Directors and higher can submit tickets for themselves.
Print to PDF
If you have a document (PDF, Word, or even a website) open in a program that does not let you download or save it, but you do have options to print, you can use a built-in Windows function called Save to PDF (Formerly Print to Microsoft PDF in Windows 10).
Print by your usual method, such as a print button, File > Print option, Control+P, or by right clicking a webpage and choosing Print.
For the Printer, choose Save as PDF
Click Save.
Open a PDF in a Non-Default Application
If you want to open a PDF file from a program other than your default setting:
Download the file, if it isn’t saved to your computer already.
Right-click the file > Open with and then choose the program you want to open it with.
Please note, this will open the file this time only, and will not change any default behaviors.
Setting your Default PDF Application in Windows
This is how to set, check, or change your default PDF application in Windows.
Change Defaults by App
Open Default Apps
Go to Start (Windows icon) > Settings > Apps > Default Apps or
Do a search in the Windows search bar for Default Apps
Select the app from the list or search for it in the search box
Search for the .pdf file type (or any other file types you want this application to open)
Select the program below that file type, and it should give you the option to choose your program as an option.
Click Set Default
Change Default by Filetype
Open Default Apps
Go to Start (Windows icon) > Settings > Apps > Default Apps or
Do a search in the Windows search bar for Default Apps
Method 1: Search
Search for PDF
Select the .pdf file type
Select the program that’s listed and you’ll get a pop-up to choose a different program to open this filetype with:
Click Set default
Method 2: Choose defaults by Filetype
Scroll down to Choose defaults by file type
Do a search for PDF
Under the PDF option, select the program that’s listed and you’ll get a pop-up to choose a different program to open this filetype with (same as image above).
Click Set Default
Errors Viewing PDFs Online
Issue: Your Windows default PDF application is not your default web browser, and you encounter an error in a webpage that’s trying to display embedded PDF content.
Answer: This is most often caused by the OTC Specific Edge setting explained above. Web applications such as PageUp or Maxient may have embedded PDF viewers that require your web browser to be your default browser before the PDF can display. You will need to set your default PDF application to your web browser, or use another web browser for this site such as Chrome.
Issue: Your Windows default PDF application is not your default web browser, but you want to view PDFs in your web browser for some things.
Answer: Unfortunately, default behavior is singular. You may want to use another browser such as Chrome, at least for known websites where you want to see different PDF behavior.
If you have any other questions or need additional help, please contact the Help Desk.