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Portable Document Format (PDF)

Definition - What does Portable Document Format (PDF) mean?

Portable Document Format (PDF) is a multi-platform/application file format that captures a document's electronic image and formatting elements, including all fonts, text and graphics. It is a reliable and trusted file format used in the exchange of electronic data.

Because PDF provides color-accurate information, it allows a user to share and print data as it appears on the computer screen or monitor.

Developed by Adobe Systems, PDF is ensured by the ISO 32000 open standard.

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Techopedia explains Portable Document Format (PDF)

A PDF may be created with Adobe Acrobat or similar software. To view or print PDF files, Acrobat Reader or another compatible program must be downloaded. With Adobe Acrobat plug-ins, PDF files can be viewed in Web browsers.


The following are PDF features:

  • As a highly compressed file format, it facilitates efficient downloads of complex data.
  • One may zoom in and out of the document.
  • Any font and/or image types may be included.
  • It provides easily searchable information or metadata, including scanned text converted with optical character recognition (OCR) technology.
  • Using extended assistive technologies, PDFs are accessible to people with disabilities like vision impairment.
  • It is capable of including interactive elements like buttons and clickable links.
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