Viewing and Downloading Files in Portable Document Format (PDF)

Some documents on this Web site are presented in Portable Document Format (PDF). On this site, the PDF format is used primarily for files that are large, or that are intended to be printed out.

Dedicated software is required to view PDF files. Your computer may already have PDF viewing software installed; it may have been included with your Web browser or operating system. If you do not have it already, you will need to download and install the PDF viewing software of your choice in order to view the PDF files on this site.

This page will help you install and troubleshoot Adobe Reader, a common PDF viewing program that is free to use.

Using Adobe Reader

To download and install Adobe Reader:

1. Visit the Adobe Reader Web site and follow the instructions to download the appropriate version of Adobe Reader for your operating system.
   • Downloading the most recent version is usually recommended, but note that older versions are also available if you need them.
2. Exit your Web browser and run the installation program that you downloaded. Follow the on-screen instructions.

During installation, Reader may integrate ("plug in") with your Web browser. This will enable it to open automatically whenever you click on a link to a PDF file, and to display that file in your browser window rather than a separate window.

Troubleshooting Problems with Viewing PDF Files

If you have problems viewing PDF files on this (or any) Web site, they may be the result of known bugs in your PDF viewing software. It is recommended that you try upgrading to the latest version of that software.

Some users have encountered problems with using Adobe Reader as a Web browser plug-in. If you want to remove Reader as a plug-in, while still keeping it on your system as a stand-alone application -- or if you are not currently using Reader as a plug-in, but want to begin doing so -- then you need to change Reader's Display PDF in browser setting. To change this setting in Adobe Reader version 7.x, follow these steps.

1. Close all Web browser windows.
2. Start Adobe Reader.
3. Open the Edit menu, then click Preferences.
4. Click on the Internet category.
5. To configure Reader as a plug-in, mark the Display PDF in browser checkbox. To configure it as a stand-alone application, clear that checkbox.
6. Click OK.
7. Exit Adobe Reader.
8. Restart your Web browser. Confirm your configuration change by browsing to a PDF document.

Another potential solution to problems with viewing PDF files in your browser is to save the PDF document to your hard disk or local network before opening it with Reader. To do this, right-click (Windows) or hold Control and click (MacOS) on the link to the PDF, then choose the option to save the target of the link. Choose a location on your disk or network in which to save the file, then open the file from that location.

If you encounter technical problems with your copy of Adobe Reader, contact Adobe Technical Support. If you have problems viewing the PDF files on this Web site, but your copy of Adobe Reader is working correctly otherwise (or you are using other PDF viewing software), contact dietandhealth@mail.nih.gov.