Creating Portable Documents and Printing Data and Formulas
Creating Portable Documents and Printing Data and Formulas
by Vansh Mehra
1. Introduction to Portable Document Format (PDF)
The Portable Document Format (PDF) was developed by Adobe in the early 1990s to create a standard for document
sharing that would maintain the document’s layout, formatting, and fonts across different devices and platforms.
PDFs are widely used for official documents, reports, e-books, and more because of their stability, security options,
and compatibility.
Tools for Creating PDFs
Several tools are available for creating PDFs. Adobe Acrobat remains the industry standard, offering extensive
functionality for document creation, editing, and protection. Other popular tools include:
2 LibreOffice:
A free suite that also exports files as PDFs, often used in academic and research settings.
2. Data and Formulas in Documents
Integrating complex data and formulas into documents can be challenging, but there are specific techniques to make this
easier while ensuring clarity in the final PDF.
Key features:
1 Using LaTeX:
LaTeX is a typesetting system commonly used for academic documents, especially in fields like mathematics,
physics, and engineering.
2 MathML:
MathML is a markup language that allows the representation of mathematical notations within documents.
3 Data Visualization:
Data can be visualized using graphs, charts, and tables, which improve readability and comprehension.
3. PDF Creation Process
From Word to PDF:
Microsoft Word has a straightforward "Save as PDF" option under the "File" menu. This option maintains basic
formatting, including embedded charts and tables.
Excel provides an option to "Export as PDF," ideal for sheets with financial or scientific data.
PowerPoint’s "Save as PDF" option is useful for creating slide-based PDF presentations, retaining animations as static imag
5. Software and Tools
Various software programs facilitate PDF creation, editing, and printing, making it easier to handle data and formulas.
1 Adobe Acrobat:
Adobe Acrobat offers comprehensive editing and annotation options. Its tools for securing documents,
compressing files, and adding digital signatures make it ideal for professional use.