Technology

Acrobat Reader

Adobe Acrobat Reader is Adobe's free PDF application that allows users to view, print, comment on, fill out, and sign PDF documents. It is intended for users who only need to work with existing PDF files and do not require advanced PDF editing features.

Who Can Access Acrobat Reader?


Adobe Acrobat Reader is available by default to all Illinois State University faculty, staff, and students. It provides the tools needed to view, print, comment on, fill out, and sign PDF documents.

For more information about available Adobe licenses and determining which license best meets your needs, refer to: 

Which Adobe License do I need?


  • What Can I do with Adobe Acrobat Reader?

Adobe Acrobat Reader provides essential tools needed to work with PDF documents without modifying their underlying content.

Common tasks include:

  • Opening and viewing PDF documents
  • Pritning PDF files
  • Searching text within PDFs
  • Zooming, rotating, and navigating documents
  • Filling out interactive PDF forms
  • Adding comments and annotations
  • Highlighting text and adding sticky notes
  • Drawing markups
  • Signing PDF documents electronically
  • Sharing PDFs for review or collaboration

Adobe Acrobat Reader is designed for reading, reviewing, and completing PDF documents rather than creating or extensively editing them.


  • Adobe Acrobat Reader Features

Adobe Acrobat Reader includes several tools for reviewing and interacting with PDF documents.

Key features include:

  • View PDF documents
  • Print PDF documents
  • Search document text 
  • Fill and save PDF forms
  • Add comments and annotations
  • Highlight, underline, and strike through text
  • Add sticky notes and drawing markups
  • Electronically sign PDF documents
  • Share documents for review

  • Limitations of Adobe Acrobat Reader

Adobe Acrobat Reader does not include many of the advanced features available in Adobe Acrobat Pro. Examples of features not included are:

  • Editing existing PDF text or images
  • Creating PDFs from multiple file formats
  • Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for scanned documents
  • Redacting sensitive information
  • Password protecting or encrypting PDF files
  • Creating or editing fillable PDF forms
  • Combining or reorganizing PDF pages

If your work requires these capabilities, request an Adobe Acrobat Pro License.

For guidance on available Adobe licenses and determining which license best meets your needs, see Which Adobe License do I need?



Getting Started with Adobe Acrobat Reader


To  begin using Adobe Acrobat Reader:

  1. Download and install Adobe Acrobat Reader if it is not already installed on your computer.
    • Windows users can install Adobe Acrobat Reader from Software Center. 
    • Mac users can install it using Self-Service.
  2. Launch Adobe Acrobat Reader from your desktop or Start menu.
  3. Open a PDF by:
    • Selecting File > Open, or
    • Double-clicking a PDF file in File Explorer.
  4. Use the available tools to:
    • View PDF documents.
    • Add comments and annotations
    • Complete forms and apply signatures.

How to Get Help

Technical assistance is available through the Illinois State University Technology Support Center at: