Downloading pdf Files

Date: 17 July 2001
Author: Greg deJong

Description:

Many Internet webpages offer links to pdf (Portable Document Format) files. Typically, when you click these types of links, you will be shown the pdf file right in your browser. You may want to save the file to your computer for your own use, rather than having to visit the same webpage — and download the same file again — so this document will help you save a copy of the file for yourself. This may also help if you are having problems viewing an online pdf file in your browser, since a larger file will at times not display correctly, unless it has been downloaded.

This procedure deals with pdf files, though it works in the same way for many other file types. Note also that you must have either Acrobat or Acrobat Reader software installed on your computer to view pdf files. Acrobat Reader is a free download from http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html.

Detail:

1. Visit the webpage that has the link to the file you wish to download.

Internet Explorer on the Macintosh

2. On a PC computer, right-click on the link. Or, on a Mac, either Ctrl-click the link or hold down the mouse button while pointing to the link.

Ctrl-click means to hold down the Control key, point to the link, and press the mouse button.

A contextual menu is shown, with options for using the link.

Contextual menu (Mac on left, PC on right)

3. Choose the item that refers to saving the file to your computer*. Depending on which platform and browser you are using, the link may be worded differently. Some examples include Download Link to Disk, Save Target As, Save As, Save This Link As.

You are then prompted to specify a download location — which is to say, where on your computer you would like to save the file to.

Save file to disk, to a specific location.

You may find it easiest to get into the habit of downloading to the desktop, then later moving the file to another location; this makes it easiest to find the file at first, since it will be right on the Windows or MacOS desktop.

4. Specify the location and click the Save button.

The file will download, and then be found in the location you specified.

The downloaded pdf file (Mac on left, PC on right).

5. Double-click the file to open it. Alternately, you can start up Acrobat or Acrobat Reader, then choose File > Open from the menu; locate the file and click the Open button.

* The Download Manager

Later versions of Internet Explorer for the Macintosh have a feature called the Download Manager. This allows you to queue a number of downloads, and it will keep track of what items you requested a download for. This frees you up to browse other Internet sites as the files get downloaded in the background.

Download manager for Internet Explorer on the Macintosh.

If you choose to Download to Disk in Internet Explorer for Macintosh, and the Download Manager takes over the download, you will not be prompted to choose a download location; instead, the file will be downloaded to a default location, as set in the Internet Explorer preferences. There is a setting for the Download Folder, and this is where the Download Manager will place new files.