Technical PDF Related Questions

  • Is the optimum way of viewing PDF files within the browser or in a separate window?

    This is more of a matter of personal preference. Some of the functionality of the Reader is lost when the PDF document is opened in a browser window. However, most of the functions accessible either using the menu or shortcuts when the Reader opens in its own window can be accessed using the various button icons that remain available when the Reader is opened within the browser.

  • What does this error message mean? ERROR: Document contains code which may cause an external action (such as launching an application). This PDF document cannot be accepted.

    If your PDF contains any password security, it will not be accepted. All PDF documents which include embedded JavaScript that use the OpenAction syntax will be rejected. Some petition preparation software contains JavaScript to perform calculations which uses OpenAction syntax. If your PDF is rejected, please contact your PDF software vendor or petition preparation vendor and speak with them regarding the use of JavaScript OpenAction syntax. OpenAction JavaScript commands can be used to track those who view a PDF and to install malware and viruses.

    It may be that the PDF software you are using contains an advertisement. This is not acceptable in CM/ECF and must be removed before the document can be e-filed.

    CM/ECF will not accept PDFs with any imbedded security or JavaScript code.

  • Is it possible to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader open in a separate window, one not a part of my browser; or, alternatively, if the Adobe Reader opens on my PC as a separate Window, is it possible to make it open within the browser?

    The answer to both question is "yes." In Adobe Acrobat or the Adobe Reader, click on "File", then "Preferences", then "General". In the Options section at the bottom of the window labeled "General Preferences," check the box (by clicking on it if it is blank) beside "Web Browser Integration" to make a PDF document open within the browser. Uncheck that box (by clicking on it if it is checked) to cause Acrobat or the Adobe Reader to open in a separate window.

  • What does this error message mean? ERROR: Document is not a well-formed PDF document (no further information is available).

    There are two possibilities for this error: First, please be sure all documents to be e-filed are in pdf format ONLY.  Word or WordPerfect documents cannot be e-filed. Second, the error may be a result of manually typing in the file location of a document on your computer rather than clicking on the "browse" button to search.

  • How do you start the Adobe Acrobat Reader program in order to view a PDF document on a website?

    Adobe Acrobat Reader is a plugin that the browser will automatically launch when you try to access a document stored in PDF format. If you do not have the Adobe Reader, your computer will show you a set of applications from which to choose a program that will read the file. None of them will work, which is why you must download the Adobe Reader from Adobe Systems' website. To download a free copy of Acrobat Reader, click on http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html.

  • How do you determine which version of Acrobat Reader is installed on your computer?

    Launch Acrobat Reader, select "Help" menu option, and select "About Acrobat Reader." If you are using version 5.0.5 or higher, you do not need to upgrade. If you are using version 4 or below, please visit Adobe's website at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html to download a free upgrade to the latest version of Acrobat Reader.

  • I tried to scan my document into PDF but a lot of errors appeared.

    Check the instructions that came with the software on your scanner. It depends on the error and the type of scanner and scanner software you are using.

  • Is it true that the only way to make a document into PDF format is by using a scanner?

    No. In fact, the vast majority of documents can be easily converted to PDF format without scanning. Any document that you create on your computer can be converted to PDF by your computer as long as you have the appropriate software installed and configured properly.

  • How do I make a PDF document?

    There are several ways in which you can get a document from a word processing program into the PDF format. The newer versions of some common word processors include the ability to publish a document to PDF built right into the word-processing software. In WordPerfect 9 and 10, you can click on File and then "Publish to PDF" to convert your WordPerfect file (.wpd) to PDF. MS-Word (up to version XP) does NOT have this capability). Adobe, the inventors of the PDF format, can be found at http://www.adobe.com, where you can find both the free reader version of the software, which can be used to retrieve documents from CM/ECF, and the writer version, which can create documents for posting. When you've installed Acrobat, you can make PDF files right out of your word-processing software simply by "printing" the document, and selecting the "printer" called "Acrobat PDFWriter" from the drop down list of available printers. That process will actually save a file in PDF format, with a ".pdf" file extension, on your hard drive. There are many other vendors besides Adobe who provide software to create PDF documents. Please note that the Federal Judiciary does not endorse or recommend any specific PDF software. Since there are so many different applications, and we could not depict instructions for all, we have chosen to depict all our instructions with reference to Adobe.

  • My document seems to change when I make it into PDF; what's happening?

    This is called "flowing". Depending on the font, the printer selected, and other characteristics of the content, a document may undergo some changes when it's rendered into PDF. If you are using an Adobe product to convert documents to PDF, visit www.adobe.com. Adobe has a set of technical documents posted on their site that refer directly to ways in which you may attempt to address flowing problems.

    Another work-around is to set your PDF printer as your "Default Printer" before opening the document, then open the document, edit it to correct any format errors, save it and try printing (converting) to PDF again.
     

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