How To Open a PDF File Online

Portable document format (PDF) files are pretty popular these days, especially in the corporate world. Now and then, you may find yourself in situations that require opening a business document or email with a PDF attachment. 

Unfortunately, opening a PDF file online or in a PDF editor can be a complicated process for many people. This explains why phrases like “how to open a pdf” rank high on Google’s top search results (we know you’ve Googled it too). 

So, this article will provide an in-depth tutorial on how to open pdf files and what to do when your pdf won’t open. Ready? Let’s get down to brass tacks. 

Differences Between PDF and DOCS

When it comes to creating and sending documents, PDF and DOCS are two of the most popular choices. However, these two file formats are completely different in terms of formatting and accessibility. 

For starters, they were created by two different companies that happen to be major players in the software industry. While PDF is a creation of Adobe systems, DOC was developed by Microsoft. 

Another inherent difference between PDF and DOC is that the latter offers more flexibility when editing documents. With Microsoft Word, you can easily create DOC files and make any necessary adjustments with no restrictions. On the other hand, PDFs are harder to edit because they are used for delivering and viewing content. 

Consequently, PDF files are generally considered more accurate and authentic since they retain the original content created by the author. Anyone can easily edit and make changes to DOC files, and as such, they aren’t an excellent choice for business correspondence. 

This leads us to the big question that’s probably going through your mind right now: which is better? Well, the two formats are great choices and can be used simultaneously. 

If you’re trying to edit a work-in-progress, then you should use the DOCS format. But when it comes to viewing and sharing documents, PDF is a better option: they maintain a uniform structure across multiple devices. As such, you should create and edit DOC files and then convert them to PDF files when you’re ready to share. 

Also Read: What is URL Shortener? – Definition, Uses, And More

What to do when your PDF can’t open

If your PDF won’t open, don’t worry: this is a common problem that most users encounter once in a while. When your pdf won’t open in chrome or on your device, it could be for one or more of the following reasons: 

  • The PDF reader is out of date.
  • The PDF file is corrupted.

If you can’t open PDF files on your device, PDF reader, or web browser, here are some solutions you could try out:

  1. Install the latest version of the PDF reader

If your PDF reader is outdated, you may not be able to open PDF files with it. As such, your first point of action should be to download the most recent version from their official website. Downloading the latest version will help fix any bugs and address interoperability issues. 

  1. Ask the sender to resend the file

In some cases, the problem may not be from your PDF reader. Instead, it could be from the file itself. If the PDF file contains malware or was transferred via third-party sites, there’s a massive chance that it may be corrupted.

To ascertain if the PDF file is corrupted or not, try opening another file in the PDF reader. If it opens, then the original file is corrupted. In this case, ask the sender to resend the file. 

Also Read: The Future of Artificial Intelligence in Travel industry

How to Open PDF via The File Menu

Wondering how to open PDF files via the file menu? The process is quite simple. 

  1. Go to the File Menu and click on ‘Open’.
  1. Press ‘Ctrl+O’ on your keyboard and then click ‘Computer’ > Select ‘Browse’ and go to the PDF file’s location. 
  1. Once you have located the file, click ‘Open’. 

How to Open PDF using Drag-and-drop function

To open a PDF using the drag-and-drop function, follow these steps:

  1. Open a browser window. 
  1. Locate the PDF file and then minimize your Explorer window. 
  1. Drag the PDF file from the Explorer window and drop it onto the open browser window. 

How to Open PDF using double-click or right-click

This is probably one of the easiest ways to open a PDF file. But you need to locate the PDF documents’ parent folder first.

  1. Open an Explorer window and locate the file you need.
  1. Double-click or right-click on it, and it will automatically open in your default PDF viewer. 

How to open a PDF in Google Docs

Even though DOCS and PDF are two different file formats, you can still open a PDF using Google Docs. 

Wondering how to open a PDF in Google Docs? Here’s a quick guide:

First, open your Google Drive and log into your account. Click on the “Upload” icon to upload certain files to your Google Drive. This will enable you to browse and locate the PDF file in question. 

Next, right-click on the uploaded file and click “Open with”. Select Google Docs, and voila! You’ve successfully opened the PDF file. 

However, it’s important to note that you may encounter some problems when trying to edit PDF online google docs. Google Docs doesn’t let you edit PDF files unless you copy the text and paste it into a new document. 

How to edit PDF content 

Editing PDF files may sound like a hassle that you don’t want to go through, but it can be easy once you have the right tools. But what are these tools anyway? 

One of the best tools for editing PDF content is the Google Drive PDF editor. With this tool, you can turn any PDF document into fillable pdf google docs and even create a pdf fillable form with no hassle. 

What’s more, you can easily download this PDF form creator from your OS App Store. Alternatively, you could use Microsoft Word to get the job done if you don’t want to edit pdf google drive android files. 

Can I Edit PDF Files Online? 

Today, it’s quite easy to edit PDF files and even make PDF forms online. If you’re looking to edit PDF files online, here’s an easy solution:

  1. Visit any file conversion website. 
  1. Click on “PDF to Word”. Upload the file in question, and convert it to Doc.
  1. Download the converted file, edit it and save it in any format of your choice. 

Voila! You’ve just edited your first PDF file. 

Also Read: Sun Nxt Coupon Codes 2021 One Month Free Subscription

Conclusion 

For most people, opening and editing a PDF file can be complex and confusing. However, you can easily open PDF files using the drag-and-drop or double-click function. 

Thanks to the existence of PDF file editors, you can now edit any PDF file of your choice with no hassle. Whether you decide to use Google Docs or other editing tools, you will definitely get the job done. 

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR