Adobe Acrobat FAQ
Acrobat basics
Acrobat Premium is the most advanced offering that combines all the digital document and e-signature capabilities of Acrobat Pro with Acrobat AI Assistant built into the solution. It not only helps you create and edit PDFs but makes working with documents easier and more efficient.
Using Acrobat Premium, you can:
- Quickly extract key information from multiple documents to draft emails, slides, and more summaries. Learn how AI Assistant enhances document productivity.
- Effortlessly create, edit, and sign PDFs.
- Automate content creation by transforming AI insights into actionable documents. Learn to craft effective prompts for AI Assistant.
- Collaborate from any device by accessing, sharing, and editing documents together in real time.
- Design and share interactive customer-facing forms.
- Edit and manage PDFs directly within Microsoft 365 and other apps.
- Build product manuals faster with Acrobat Action Wizard.
- Standardize contracts by creating consistent sales and supplier agreements using OCR.
- Develop clear onboarding materials and company policies.
To purchase Acrobat Premium, contact support.
Adobe Acrobat Pro is an advanced PDF solution that includes desktop software, premium mobile features, and web services to keep you productive anywhere.
Using Acrobat Pro, you can:
- Create, edit, export, organize, and sign PDFs seamlessly across devices.
- Modify text and images intuitively on desktop or tablet.
- Scan documents with your phone and edit them with automatic font matching.
- Secure your PDFs by creating high-quality files with restrictions to protect sensitive content.
- Convert PDFs to Word, Excel, or PowerPoint while maintaining formatting.
- Access and edit files from Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, and more.
- Use smart autofill to quicly fill and sign forms.
- Remove sensitive data, such as confidential text, images, and metadata for secured sharing.
New and enhanced features are released quarterly. Check the Acrobat New Features summary to see the latest updates.
For tutorials and feature guides, visit Adobe Acrobat Learn & Support.
Upgrade from Acrobat perpetual or older versions to access powerful cloud-based features, AI-driven tools, and enhanced productivity options.
Work smarter across devices
- Edit, convert, and sign PDFs on desktop, mobile, or web.
- Stay connected with Adobe cloud storage and 100GB of secure storage.
- Track, manage, and receive notifications for shared documents.
Boost collaboration and efficiency
- Collect feedback with a single shared PDF link.
- View document status, send reminders, and cancel requests.
- Start SharePoint-based reviews on macOS.
Enhance editing and productivity
- Fill and sign forms faster with AI-powered detection.
- Compare two PDFs instantly with the Compare files tool.
- Work efficiently with multi-tab viewing and better text editing.
Exclusive mobile and web benefits
- Get ongoing updates at no extra cost.
- Create, edit, and organize PDFs on iOS or Android.
- Scan documents using your mobile camera.
Adobe Acrobat offers the following desktop, mobile, and web services through the Adobe cloud storage:
On desktop:
- Adobe Acrobat Premium
- Adobe Acrobat Pro
- Adobe Acrobat Standard (Windows only)
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
On mobile:
- Adobe Acrobat Reader for Android, iOS, or Windows Phone
- Adobe Acrobat Sign for Android or iOS
- Adobe Scan for Android or iOS
On web:
Check the Acrobat product comparison to find the best purchase option for Adobe Acrobat.
Activation ensures your Adobe software is genuine and used per the license agreement, protecting both you and Adobe.
- Acrobat automatically activates online without transmitting personal data.
- A single-user license allows installation on two computers.
- For offline activation, IT admins can use the Adobe Customization Wizard.
Check Acrobat technical specifications for system requirements and supported languages.
Acrobat on the web
With an Acrobat Pro subscription, you can access advanced PDF tools directly from Acrobat on the web:
- Create PDFs – Convert documents, images, or scans into PDFs.
- Edit PDFs – Add or modify text and images.
- Export PDFs – Convert PDFs to Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.
- Organize PDFs – Reorder, delete, or rotate pages.
- Combine PDFs – Merge multiple files into one.
- Share & Review – Send a single link for feedback tracking.
- Fill & Sign – Complete and e-sign forms digitally.
- Send for Signature – Request, track, and manage e-signatures.
- Store & Access Files – Securely save documents to Adobe cloud storage with up to 100GB storage.
The first time you open Acrobat desktop software, you’ll need an Internet connection for software activation. After that, you’ll be able to work offline with ease. If you purchase a subscription, you’ll be asked to log in periodically to verify your credentials (every 30 days if you have a monthly plan versus 99 days with an annual plan). Sending a document for e-signature with Acrobat Sign and sharing PDFs with others requires an online connection.
Acrobat desktop software doesn't run in the cloud – it is locally installed software running on your desktop. It can connect to Acrobat online services to provide a richer array of features and capabilities. However, if your company prohibits software that connects to the cloud, talk to your IT administrator. Acrobat settings can be customized to remove access to the Cloud services. Learn more about IT resources.
Yes. At Adobe, the security of your digital experiences is our priority. Industry-standard security practices are deeply ingrained into our internal culture, software development, as well as service operations processes. Whether related to identity management, data confidentiality, or document integrity, Adobe Cloud employs industry-standard security practices to protect your documents, data, and personal information. For additional information about our security practices, the Adobe Secure Product Lifecycle, or Adobe Cloud solution security, please see www.adobe.com/security.
See the Adobe Acrobat online Language Tiers page for information.
Acrobat on mobile
The free Adobe Acrobat Reader mobile app makes it easy to view, annotate, fill, sign, and share PDF files from anywhere on your Android, iOS, or Windows devices. You'll also get premium Adobe Acrobat online features to do more with PDFs when you purchase a subscription to Adobe Acrobat Standard or Adobe Acrobat Pro. Learn more about the Acrobat Reader mobile app. Or, download it from Google Play, the iTunes App Store, or the Windows Phone Store.
The Adobe Acrobat Sign mobile app - is a free app that works as a mobile companion to Acrobat Sign, which is included in Acrobat Standard, Acrobat Pro, and Adobe Acrobat for enterprise subscription plans. Acrobat Sign lets you conduct complete business transactions on the go. With it, you can send, sign, track, and manage signed documents from your iOS or Android device. It’s also the ideal tool for collecting e-signatures in person from a client or customer. Acrobat Sign works independently of the Acrobat Reader mobile app. Existing subscribers of Acrobat Sign can download it from Google Play or the iTunes App Store.
Adobe Scan is a free app that creates high-quality PDFs from papers and whiteboards with automatic text recognition. Powered by artificial intelligence in Adobe Sensei, Adobe Scan automatically enhances your scans, corrects perspective errors, detects boundaries, and automates workflows to help you get more done on the go.
Yes. Adobe is committed to helping enterprise customers meet the demand for mobile business productivity solutions while safeguarding enterprise security and compliance. The Acrobat Reader and Acrobat Sign mobile apps both support the Android for Work EMM platform, and Adobe Acrobat Reader for Microsoft Intune is available for iOS and Android. Acrobat Reader also supports the AppConfig platform. Learn more about IT resources.
No, but the Acrobat Reader mobile app includes essential PDF tools, including the most popular Acrobat features. With Acrobat Reader on Android or iOS devices, you can create, export, fill, sign, organize and share PDFs with ease. And working on an iPad and Android tablets, you can also edit text and images in a PDF and organize pages. Learn more about the Acrobat Reader mobile app.
Yes, Adobe partners with top enterprise mobility management (EMM) platforms for secure deployment.
- Acrobat Reader mobile app supports Android for Work, Microsoft Intune, and AppConfig.
- Acrobat Sign mobile app supports Android for Work.
Acrobat subscription and purchase
Acrobat is offered as a subscription purchase. You can buy Acrobat Pro or Acrobat Standard through an annual or month-to-month subscription plan. It includes Acrobat Pro or Standard for your desktop, plus Adobe Acrobat mobile apps and online services.
Select a store to order Acrobat products or contact an Adobe Authorized Reseller. To purchase Acrobat for your organization, learn more about Acrobat volume licensing.
Subscription plans make Acrobat more affordable than ever, while also giving you access to premium Adobe Acrobat online services.
See the Acrobat product comparison to review subscription and one-time purchase options. You can also view the Acrobat version comparison to understand how Acrobat differs from previous versions.
Yes, the trial version includes the latest desktop version of Acrobat Pro for both Mac and Windows, plus Adobe Acrobat online services that help you take advantage of advanced mobile and online features. You can convert documents into PDFs and export them as editable Microsoft Office files from your desktop, mobile device, or browser. Edit text and images on an iPad or Android tablet device and fill, sign, and send forms with smart auto-fill. Plus, you can share PDFs for review, get signatures from others, and track and manage responses from your desktop, mobile device, or online. Read the trial FAQ.
Yes, the trial version includes the Acrobat Sign tool inside Acrobat Reader, Acrobat Standard, or Acrobat Pro. Acrobat Sign inside Acrobat allows you to get signatures from others, track responses, and archive signed documents.
Yes, Adobe provides a variety of Acrobat software purchasing options to meet customer requirements. The Acrobat 2020 family of products is available via a perpetual software (desktop only) license that is sold through volume licensing programs such as the Transactional Licensing Program, Cumulative Licensing Program, as well as through retail and e-tail stores via product key cards and digital delivery.
Contact an Adobe Authorized Reseller, or request a contact from Adobe Enterprise sales.
Acrobat features and functionality
Acrobat includes three tools that can help you create and enhance fillable PDF forms.
- The Prepare Form tool in Acrobat is your primary tool. With it, you can easily convert existing forms into fillable PDF ones. Scan a paper form or select a simple form made in Microsoft Word, Excel, or another application. Acrobat automatically recognizes and converts static form fields to fillable ones. You can also add or edit form fields, and add intelligence to make sure you collect all the information you need. Robust form authoring options include buttons, checkboxes, calculations, signatures fields, and required fields. Learn more about fillable PDF forms.
- The JavaScript tool in Acrobat Pro lets you enhance fillable forms with advanced formatting, calculations, or validations. You can also assign actions to buttons and connect form fields to company databases.
- The Fill & Sign tool, powered by Adobe Acrobat Sign - which is available with Acrobat Pro subscriptions - gives you a quick and easy way to add form and signature fields to a document before requesting signatures from others. Learn more about electronic signatures, or view the tutorial.
Acrobat gives you multiple options for collecting form responses, depending on your goals.
- With an Acrobat Pro subscription, you can use the Share tool to upload your form to Adobe Cloud, share a link with specific recipients, and get notified when they’ve viewed your file. You can also use Acrobat to convert an existing paper or electronic form into a simple PDF file - without adding fillable form fields – and send it to others as an email attachment. Anyone with free Adobe Acrobat Reader software can fill it out using the new Fill & Sign tool and send it right back to you.
- If you have a form that gets used frequently and you need to keep a record of each person’s responses, the Acrobat Prepare Form tool lets you collect form data automatically in Acrobat and compile it in a table format. Data can be exported to a spreadsheet for further analysis.
- If the primary goal of your document is to collect signatures from others, the the Fill & Sign tool, powered by Adobe Acrobat Sign – which is available with Acrobat Pro and Acrobat Standard subscriptions – lets you send, track, manage, and store documents that include both signature and form fields.
Adobe Acrobat enterprise plans also let you add form data collection and e-sign services to your business applications through turn-key integrations, APIs, and professional services.
Acrobat no longer offers an option to embed Flash-compatible videos in PDF files. This affects the creation of new PDFs only. Acrobat and Acrobat Reader will continue to support viewing of PDFs that include Flash content if the file was created with prior versions. For more information, see Flash Player end-of-life.
Yes. Acrobat runs as a 64-bit application. For more information, see Acrobat system requirements.
Similar to Protected Mode in Acrobat Reader, Protected View is an implementation of "sandboxing" technology for the rich Acrobat feature set. In Acrobat, Adobe extends the functionality of Protected View beyond blocking write-based attacks that attempt to execute malicious code on your computer system using the PDF file format to read-based attacks that attempt to steal your sensitive data or intellectual property via PDF files.
Just like Protected Mode, Protected View confines the execution of untrusted programs (for example, any PDF file and the processes it invokes) to a restricted sandbox to avoid malicious code using the PDF format from writing to or reading from your computer’s file system. Protected View assumes all PDF files are potentially malicious and confines processing to the sandbox unless you specifically indicate that a file is trusted.
Acrobat with Microsoft
Acrobat integrates seamlessly with Office 365, Office 2013, and Office 2010 applications.
From Windows environments, you can:
- Create high-quality Adobe PDFs from the Acrobat task ribbon in Office apps (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or Outlook).
- Add protection to PDFs created from the Acrobat ribbon in Office to restrict others from copying or editing sensitive content.
- Use the Acrobat ribbon in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint to execute many steps at once. Quickly email a PDF file, protect it with a password, set file usage restrictions, or send a file out for shared review. In Acrobat Pro, you can also create a PDF and immediately run a preset Action to run predefined tasks, such as preparing a document for archiving or public distribution.
- Use the Adobe Acrobat plug-in for Microsoft Outlook to send large or small files to others and set tracking options to get notified when people view your file (Acrobat subscription only)
- Import comments from a PDF file into the source Word document as markups that can be accepted or rejected with the Microsoft Word Track Changes tool.
- Simplify email search and retrieval. Archive emails or email folders from Microsoft Outlook with one-button ease.
- Create high-quality Adobe PDFs directly from Microsoft Project or Visio.
Additional ways to work with Microsoft tools:
- Use the Acrobat ribbon in Microsoft Word for Mac to create high-quality PDF files, complete with interactive links.
- Work in Acrobat to turn existing PDFs into Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files with industry-leading formatting accuracy. Keep layouts, bulleted lists, and tables intact for easy editing in Office applications.
- Work with Windows 10 touch-enabled devices.
- Use your finger or a hardware pen to draw and write more smoothly on PDFs on Windows 10 devices leveraging Microsoft's DirectInk technology.
- Capture web pages as PDF files with a single click from Microsoft Internet Explorer. Convert all or part of the page, keeping links, layouts, and formatting intact.
Yes, Acrobat now offers web-based tools to view, create, and modify PDFs that are seamlessly integrated into SharePoint and OneDrive. From SharePoint, you can:
- Open, view, annotate and search within PDFs in any browser with the Adobe web-based PDF previewer.
- Create high-quality PDFs that preserve fonts, formatting, and layouts.
- Modify and organize existing PDFs with the available delete, reorder, and rotate capabilities.
- Combine multiple file types including PDF, Microsoft Office, image, text, and Adobe design into one that you can use for archiving or distribution.
- Export PDFs into editable Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or RTF files while preserving fonts, formatting, and layouts.
You can also automate processes by hosting shared document reviews or data collection for PDF forms on Office 365 or your SharePoint server. For more information, see Using Adobe Document Cloud for SharePoint and OneDrive.
Yes, Acrobat works with both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Microsoft Windows 7, 8, and 10. It also works with Windows Server 2008, 2012, 2012 R2, 2016 and 2019.
Acrobat with Adobe Creative Cloud
Acrobat Pro is available through Adobe Creative Cloud, which provides access to the latest versions of Creative applications on a membership basis. Many Adobe Creative Cloud plans include Acrobat Pro with Adobe Acrobat online services.
Yes. Many Creative Cloud plans include Acrobat Pro with Acrobat online services. Explore Creative Cloud plans.
Acrobat is a completely reimagined solution with a stunningly simpler user experience that works consistently across desktop, mobile, and the web – including touch-enabled devices.
Here are just a few things you can do with Acrobat:
- Stay productive on the go: Unlock premium mobile features in Acrobat Reader mobile app and premium online services to help you do more with PDFs on the go. Whether you want to create, edit, export, organize, share or sign PDFs, you can start a task on one device and resume your work on another with instant access to essential PDF tools across computers, browsers, and mobile devices.
- Edit scanned documents: Use your mobile device camera to take a picture of a paper document and convert it into a PDF you can edit on a desktop with automatic font matching so new edits blend right in.
- Create protected PDFs: Create high-quality PDF files from Acrobat or popular Microsoft Office apps. Add restrictions to prevent others from copying, editing, or printing sensitive information.
- Edit PDF text and images: Use a familiar point-and-click interface to edit PDF documents intuitively—right within Acrobat. You can even edit text and images from your iPad or Android tablet.
- Export PDFs to Office: Convert PDFs to Word, Excel, or PowerPoint formats while preserving fonts, formatting, and layouts.
- Work with Dropbox, Box, Google Drive, and OneDrive: Access, edit, share, and store files in your Dropbox, Box, Google Drive, or Microsoft OneDrive account while working in Acrobat.
- Sign anything from anywhere: Fill, sign, and send forms fast from anywhere with smart autofill.
- Delete sensitive information: Find and get rid of the text, images, or even metadata—permanently.
The product features in Acrobat Pro in Creative Cloud are identical to the features included in Acrobat Pro when purchased separately on a subscription plan. Many Creative Cloud plans include Acrobat Pro desktop software, plus the corresponding set of Adobe Acrobat online services.
Yes. Acrobat trial software lets you take advantage of all the powerful features built into desktop software for Windows or Mac. Although Adobe Acrobat online services are not included automatically, you can try free services by downloading the Adobe Acrobat Reader mobile app from Google Play or the iTunes App Store – and signing up for free Adobe Acrobat online services.
Yes. 100GB of storage is included when you subscribe to Acrobat.
Both the Creative Cloud Packager and the Customization Wizard for Acrobat will output an MSI or PKG file for centralized deployment via Microsoft SCCM or Apple Remote Desktop, respectively. If your organization works with a lot of Creative Cloud products, Packager lets you download, deploy, and license Acrobat together with Creative Cloud apps. The customization Wizard can then be used for application-level customization, including suppressing upsell messaging, configuring PDF printer settings, and turning off access to services. Creative Cloud for Enterprise (CCE) admins can now create self-service Acrobat packages with Creative Cloud serial numbers using Customization Wizard. Learn more about Customization Wizard.
Acrobat help and support
Adobe actively supports Acrobat 2020 (perpetual license) and Acrobat subscription license. Per the Adobe Enterprise Support Lifecycle Policy, support for Acrobat X ended on November 15, 2015, and support for Acrobat XI ended on October 15, 2017. Learn more about Supported Product Versions.
Registered owners of the current version of Acrobat are eligible to receive person-to-person support on issues related to installation and products, with affordable per-incident support prices. Visit the Acrobat Help page for additional support information, including worldwide telephone support numbers, Knowledgebase articles, and tutorials — available free of charge. The Acrobat Help page also provides detailed information on common Acrobat issues.
By default, Acrobat is set to update your software automatically. If you have a perpetual (one-time) license, you will get bug fixes and security updates throughout the supported lifecycle of the product. If you have a subscription, you’ll get the same updates – plus new and enhanced features – as long as your subscription is current. For organizations that prefer to manage their updates on their own schedule, Acrobat also provides flexible tools for IT administrators. Learn more about IT resources.
Acrobat Pro and Acrobat Standard desktop software are available for volume deployment using either "continuous" (subscription) or "classic" (perpetual) tracks.
Typical installations, purchased via subscription, use the continuous track, which updates silently and frequently in order to stay current with new features, security and platform enhancements, and bug fixes. The continuous track is the only track that enables access to all paid Adobe Acrobat online services, including support for the Adobe Acrobat Sign and Share tools. If desired, IT administrators can turn off automatic updates in order to test a new version before rolling it out to employees. Only the latest version is available for download. IT administrators can also turn off Acrobat online services so employees don’t see the options presented in their user experience.
Acrobat purchased as a one-time perpetual license employs the classic track using a quarterly update cadence to deliver security and platform enhancements and bug fixes only. The classic track does not provide access to new or enhanced features and enables access to free Adobe Acrobat online services only. IT administrators can turn off Acrobat online services if desired. Learn more.
Per the Adobe Enterprise Support Lifecycle Policy, support for Acrobat X ended on November 15, 2015, and support for Acrobat XI ended on October 15, 2017. End of support means that Adobe no longer provides technical support, including product and/or security updates, for all derivatives of a product or product version (localized versions, minor upgrades, operating systems, dot and double-dot releases, and connector products). Learn more about Supported Product Versions.
Acrobat standards and accessibility
Acrobat supports ISO 32000-1, the open standard maintained by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
Acrobat supports the creation and validation of these workflow-specific PDF standards:
- PDF/A for archiving (ISO 19005): PDF/A-1a, PDF/A-1b, PDF/A-2a, PDF/A-2b, PDF/A-2u, PDF/A-3a, PDF/A-3b, and PDF/A-3u
- PDF/E in Acrobat Pro for engineering (ISO 24517): PDF/E-1
- PDF/X for print production (ISO 15930): PDF/X-1a, PDF/X-3, PDF/X-4, PDF/X-4p, PDF/X-5g, and PDF/X-5pg
- PDF/VT in Acrobat Pro for variable data and transactional printing (ISO 16612-2): PDF/VT-1 and PDF/VT-2
PDF/A provides specifications for creating, viewing, and printing digital documents for long-term preservation. Records managers, archivists, and industry-compliance professionals can use Acrobat to preserve and help protect final documents of record as self-contained files.
PDF/E provides specifications for creating, viewing, and printing documents used in engineering workflows. Architects, engineers, construction professionals, and manufacturing product teams can use Acrobat Pro to facilitate the exchange of documentation and drawings with others in the supply chain, and to streamline the review and markup of documents.
PDF/X provides specifications for creating, viewing, and printing final print-ready or press-ready pages. This standard provides guidelines for PDF settings that affect critical aspects of printing, such as color space and trapping. Print professionals, graphic designers, and other creative professionals can use Acrobat to create and deliver predictable, press-ready PDF/X-compliant files.
PDF/VT provides specifications for creating, viewing, and printing files such as bank statements and business invoices used in the variable data and transactional printing industry. Professionals who work with large documents containing variable data can use Acrobat Pro to ensure that the files they’ve produced comply with this international standard.
Yes. Acrobat supports the creation and use of PDF in compliance with these additional standards and initiatives:
- PDF/UA (Universal Accessibility): PDF/UA is an ISO standard (ISO 14289-1) that helps clarify PDF-specific technical requirements to ensure that conforming PDF ISO 32000-1 files are accessible and usable to all, including users who rely on assistive technology.
- W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG): Adobe participates in the WCAG working group at the W3C to help develop the technology-independent WCAG 2.0 standard as well as advisory techniques to help authors and developers meet this accessibility standard.
- PAdES (ETSI): PDF Advanced Electronic Signatures provides specifications to help ensure compliance with digital signature standards in the European Union. Adobe Acrobat supports PAdES Parts 2, 3, and 4.
Acrobat helps address the needs of both users with disabilities and authors of accessible content. Using Acrobat Pro or Acrobat Standard, virtually anyone can create accessible PDF documents that others can view using Adobe Acrobat Reader. This helps users with disabilities more easily access and use PDF files and forms across multiple languages.
Using Acrobat Pro, Acrobat Standard, or Acrobat Reader on Windows, users and authors can:
- Customize accessibility preferences with an easy-to-use wizard
- Work with magnifiers
- Read PDFs out loud using built-in functions or working with professional screen-reading software
- Set high-contrast colors for better visibility
- Read text easier in high contrast mode with dynamic background adjustment
- Enable large-type display by setting text to reflow through pages
Using Acrobat Pro or Acrobat Reader on Mac, users can:
- Work with the VoiceOver screen reader on Mac OS X computers
- Work with magnifiers
- Set high-contrast colors for better visibility
- Read text easier in high contrast mode with dynamic background adjustment
- Enable large-type display by setting text to reflow through pages
In addition, authors can use Acrobat Pro to make PDF files more accessible:
- Add tags to control reading order and improve navigation
- Verify and adjust reading order for pages or columns of text
- Validate standards-compliant PDF documents, check for possible accessibility problems, and adjust files to meet accessibility standards
- Take advantage of enhanced tools to support the creation of PDF documents that meet WCAG 2.0 and PDF/UA standards
- Use the Make Accessible guided Action to more easily prepare, verify, and fix standards-compliant accessible PDF files
Learn more at the Adobe Accessibility Resource Center.
Adobe is committed to accessibility and strives to address it in its products and services. U.S. Section 508 was enacted to eliminate barriers in information technology, to make available new opportunities for people with disabilities, and to encourage the development of technologies that will help achieve these goals. Adobe Acrobat features that support accessibility for people with disabilities are summarized in the Adobe Acrobat Voluntary Product Accessibility Templates (VPAT).
