The year 2020 has been characterized by many events, none more notable than the outbreak of COVID-19. As a result, many people have been forced to transition to working and studying from home. This has in turn led to many other changes, with one of them being the use of professional tools such as Adobe Acrobat reader.
If you are stuck at home and struggling to work with PDFs, there are several steps you can take to start learning Adobe’s PDF editing tool.
We’ve put together a comprehensive article below to help you understand what Adobe Acrobat is, and the courses, training, and resources that will help you master it. Follow our guide to learn everything you need to know when using the Acrobat PDF editing tool.
What Is Adobe Acrobat?
Adobe Acrobat is a software used to create online books, forms, images, maps, and individual PDFs, and make them website and device compatible. However, the program is commonly known as a viewing tool for PDF documents.
A Note on PDF Files
Portable document files, simply known as PDFs, are file formats designed to be shared and viewed in the same format. PDF files are denoted by the extension tag ‘.pdf.’
PDFs were first used in the 90s and were Adobe’s way of letting people view documents without having to download the specific app or operating system that created the file. Adobe wanted to allow the user to view the file without any changes to its content or layout.
What Is Adobe Acrobat Used For?
Adobe Acrobat Reader is the official software program for manipulating PDF files. It can be used in the following ways.
- Creating, reading, and sharing PDFs. Since its introduction in 1993, Adobe has managed to secure over 1 billion Acrobat downloads to date. The software is free on just about all major platforms, including Android, Mac, Windows, iOS, and Linux.
- Storing PDF files in the cloud. Also known as Adobe Acrobat Reader document cloud (DC), this free service allows users to store and share PDF documents in the cloud for easy access. Additionally, this tool can also be used to sign PDF forms electronically.
Now that you have a rough idea of what Acrobat is used for, let’s look at the specific tools within the program.
Types of Adobe Acrobat Tools
The Adobe Creative Suite has several tools for creating, viewing, sharing, and storing PDF files. They include the following.
Adobe Acrobat DC
This entry-level tool allows you to create, view, share, and store your PDFs in the cloud. You can also easily convert documents, web pages, or images to PDFs. This tool offers a ton of basic features to help users perform essential PDF functions.
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
The Acrobat Pro document cloud is similar to the standard DC in that it allows you to perform basic PDF functions. However, once you go beyond the entry-level tools, you’ll start to notice some differences. It is more expensive, but it offers enhanced editing features and operating system support.
Acrobat Pro DC for both Mac OS and Windows, while the basic version is only compatible with Windows. This version of the PDF tool is ideal for business professionals looking to process a ton of big data in different formats.
Reader DC
Unlike the first two programs, Reader DC is a free program that allows users to open PDF files. As the name suggests, this software is mostly used for opening and reading files.
Nonetheless, it also has a host of special features, including printing and e-signing, and is compatible with multiple devices. However, note that this tool does not allow users to edit PDFs.
Fill and Sign
As the name suggests, this tool allows users to click, fill in, and sign PDF forms. Unlike the programs mentioned above, Fill and Sign offers a limited range of features.
Document Cloud
The document cloud is a simple and often overlooked tool in the Adobe arsenal. Apart from storing files on a cloud server, this tool also allows you to view the stored files on multiple devices anywhere, and at any time. If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of cloud computing, you can easily learn more about cloud computing.
Learning Adobe Acrobat
How you learn to use Adobe Acrobat is entirely up to you. There are many different learning styles, platforms, and resources offering excellent information to anyone interested.
Finding which style of learning appeals to you is one of the keys to successfully mastering Adobe Acrobat. However, you should consider investing a substantial amount of time and effort if you want to master the software.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Adobe Acrobat?
Depending on your previous knowledge, the amount of time you are willing to invest, and the specific Adobe product you are learning, the time it takes to learn will vary. It could take anywhere from one day if you have some experience to a couple of weeks if you are a total novice.
How to Learn Adobe Acrobat: Step-by-Step
The following steps will help you get started using the Adobe Acrobat standard reader.
- Find the program that matches your needs. There are several Adobe products and figuring out which one is best suited to your needs is the first step in the learning process.
- Download the program and get to know the interface. Start by familiarizing yourself with the software. Download, install and play around with the program to get a rough idea of what it’s about.
- Look for the best hands-on courses. It is always a good idea to look for courses that take a holistic approach. Luckily, there are a ton of Acrobat training courses you can use for reference while you are studying. If you are finding the entire learning process difficult and tedious, consider taking a look at some of the other career resources that we have reviewed.
The Best Adobe Acrobat Courses and Training
The best way to learn how to use Adobe Acrobat is by going at your own pace. Depending on your educational preferences, you should consider enrolling in an online course, or a traditional, in-person class.
Best Online Adobe Acrobat Courses
Online Acrobat courses are arguably your best option if you want to learn Acrobat quickly and effectively. Using online classroom resources and video lessons from expert instructors, you’ll learn how to open, view, create, and edit PDFs using advanced Acrobat features such as toolbars and SEO files.
Adobe Acrobat DC Pro Introduction
- Provider: Udemy
- Time: About 3 hours (35 lectures)
- Languages: English, Arabic, French, Chinese, Spanish, Russian, German, Hindi, Portuguese, and Japanese
- Prerequisites: Basic computer skills
- Cost: $39.99
As the title suggests, this course will help you master PDF basics using Acrobat DC Pro. Along with over 1,300 students who have completed the course, you are guaranteed to receive adequate Acrobat training. This course is designed for people new to Adobe Acrobat products.
Adobe Acrobat DC Pro Advanced
- Provider: Udemy
- Length: 1 hour, 20 minutes (22 lectures)
- Languages: English, Arabic, French, Chinese, Spanish, Russian, German, Hindi, Portuguese, and Japanese.
- Prerequisites: Acrobat DC Pro basics
- Cost: $39.99
In this course, students will learn how to use the advanced features and tools of Acrobat DC Pro. This includes modifying PDFs, enhancing scans, and adding rich media to a PDF document. The course also covers the basics of e-signatures and how to create them.
Mastering Adobe Acrobat Pro DC Made Easy Training Tutorial
- Provider: Udemy
- Length: About 8 hours (165 lectures)
- Language: English
- Prerequisites: None
- Cost: $29.99
In this course, you’ll learn to create, view, share, edit, and encrypt PDFs like a pro. Better yet, the course is comprehensive, so it does not matter what level of exposure you have had to Adobe products before you enroll.
Best Free Adobe Acrobat Courses
If paying for an Adobe course is not in the cards for you, then you might be interested in these free Acrobat courses.
Adobe in an Hour: Adobe Acrobat DC – Forms
- Provider: SkillShare
- Length: About 1 hour (11 lessons)
- Language: English
- Prerequisites: None
- Cost: Free
This free course from SkillShare is perfect for those who are new to Adobe. By the end of the program, you will have mastered the basics of PDFs, including how to create forms. Additionally, the course will equip you with the tools to help you start learning how to analyze big data.
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Best Online Adobe Acrobat Resources
YouTube
YouTube is a great source of entertainment for most people. However, it is also an excellent resource for learning. If you want to learn more about Acrobat and its features, YouTube is a great place to start.
Adobe Acrobat Training and Tutorials
What better way to learn about Acrobat than from the creators of the software? Acrobat’s website is loaded with tutorials and training resources to help you learn more about the software regardless of your current skill set.
Should You Study Adobe Acrobat?
Adobe Acrobat software offers a wide range of features for users who are learning to handle PDFs. The current demand for digital skills such as creating, editing, and managing PDFs is on the rise. As a result, learning how to use this program will make you more valuable to your clients and employer.
After reading this article, you should have a deeper understanding of what Adobe Acrobat is and how you can use it. Decide whether you want to expand your skill set and increase your value, then choose a course or resource that you feel will help you excel at Acrobat.
So, what’s stopping you from becoming a pro PDF editor?
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