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Acrobat Reader Information

• About PDF's
• About the Reader
• Printing Tips
• Troubleshooting
• Reader Version
• Downloading PDF Files
• PDF Icons

About PDF's

Adobe Systems' Portable Document Format (PDF) is a widely used format for providing forms and information via the Internet.

Adobe's Acrobat Reader software is available for free download from Adobe's web site. The Reader software enables any computer user to view and print the PDF documents.

About Adobe Acrobat Reader

To view and print the forms and information available in PDF on the Missouri Department of Social Services' site, all you need is the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. Adobe Acrobat Reader is free and can be run as an independent program or as a "plug-in" for most major web browsers to allow on-line viewing of PDF documents.

To download the Reader click on the "Get Adobe Acrobat Reader" link below. This will take you to Adobe Systems' web site. Follow the detailed instructions on the Adobe web site to download and then install the software on your computer.

Get the Adobe Acrobat Reader

We recommend using the most recent version of the Acrobat Reader, but at least version 4.0 (or higher). Some forms and documents will not open with an older version of the Reader.

Printing Tips

Remember that a high quality printer is necessary to print usable copies of the forms. Any laser, ink-jet, or bubble-jet printer in good working order should be fine. Some high quality, high resolution dot matrix printers may work.

Troubleshooting

Occasionally, .PDF files may not open automatically in your Internet browser. Following are some troubleshooting tips that may work for you. Additional assistance is available from the Adobe Systems web site.

Plug-In help:

Some users of the Windows version of the Reader "plug-in" have trouble viewing PDF documents online (getting blank screens, for example). These tips may help, and the Adobe Systems web site may have more tips for configuring the plug-in correctly:

• Acrobat Reader 4.x: configure Reader to not use the plug-in module by unchecking "Web Browser Integration" under File/Preferences/General (Netscape Navigator).
• Acrobat Reader 5.x: configure Reader to not use the plug-in module by unchecking "Display PDF in browser" under Edit/Preferences/Options.

Sometimes, reinstalling the Acrobat Reader software will correct the problem as well.

Reader Version

If you are using Acrobat Reader version 3.x or lower, you may have trouble opening the PDF forms and documents. Please upgrade to at least version 4.0, if possible. For details, go to "About Adobe Acrobat Reader."

Downloading PDF Files

If you are unable to view the forms and documents online, you may still be able to download the PDF file to your computer and save it for offline viewing and printing using the Acrobat Reader software.

PC 2-Button Mouse Instructions:

• Position your mouse pointer over the link to form you wish to download.
• Right-click on the link (press the right button on your mouse).
• Select "Save target as..." or "Save link as..." from the drop-down menu.
• In the "Save as..." window, select the location on your computer where you want to store the file. Choose a place where the file will be easy to find, like your desktop.
• The download should start. Once it is complete, open the file with Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Macintosh Instructions:

• Position your mouse pointer over the form link, as above
• Click and hold the mouse button down until the pop-up menu appears with your "save as " options.
• Proceed with save and download steps above.

PDF Indicator/Icon

Documents and forms on the Department of Social Services web site that are in Acrobat PDF are designated by the text (PDF) or the symbol .