Term: PDF [Portable Document Format]

PDF is an acronym for Portable Document Format.

PDF is a file format originally created by Adobe intended to capture the look and feel of a printed document in a way that could be displayed on a wide variety of different computers.

There are many approaches to creating PDF files; these range from using the original, full-featured Adobe Acrobat program, to sending documents to print drivers that simply capture output being printed into a PDF file.

PDF files can be read on almost all current devices, ranging from Windows, Mac, and Linux PC to iPhones, iPads, Android-based phones and tablets, and more.

See also: Just what is PDF format, how do I view it, and why do people use it? at Ask Leo!.