The ESR website uses Adobe PDF to publish documents on this site.
What is a PDF file?
The PDF file format is a common internet file format (PDF stands for Portable Document Format).
It's used for electronic distribution because it preserves the look and feel of the source document complete with layout, fonts, images and colour. PDF can also be used by many different types of computers and browsers.
Opening PDF files
To open a PDF file you have two options.
- You can download and install a program called Acrobat Reader. The program is available at no cost from the Adobe Acrobat site.
Download Adobe reader (opens in a new window)
- Use an online PDF conversion/reading tool. Visit the Adobe Acrobat website, type or copy in the address of a PDF file and wait a short time whle it translate the file into a more readable format (the link below will convert the PDF into a text document or an HTML page). The translations of a PDF file may not be as clearly formatted as the original, with loss of images and some formatting.
Convert a PDF file online (opens in a new window)
PDF files and browsers
You can configure your browser to open a PDF file either in the browser window or in a Adobe Acrobat window. Detailed instructions on the Acrobat website show how this can be done for different browsers. Alternatively, you can download the file and open it for reading at a later date. 
Configure your browser for Acrobat (opens in a new window)
How do I search a PDF file?
When you open a PDF document, a toolbar will appear, featuring a number of options to help you view and search the document. Holding your mouse pointer over the toolbar icons will tell you how each of them can assist you. The Search tool will search the document for a word or phrase that you type in.
Alternatives to Adobe Acrobat Reader
Adobe Acrobat Reader is the most popular PDF viewer available, but there are several other viewers that you can download that will allow you to view and print PDF documents.
Search Google for other PDF readers