2011

Using Adobe Acrobat X Pro

Lena Arena
Project Coordinator, DER-NSW
Sydney Region
Ph: 9582 2851
Carmelina.arena@det.nsw.edu.au

Table of Contents

Using Adobe Acrobat X Pro to create digital portfolios .................................................................................. 2

What can you do with this software? ........................................................................................................... 2
What is a digital portfolio (eportfolio)? ........................................................................................................ 2
Using digital portfolios .................................................................................................................................. 2
Creating a pdf portfolio.....................................................................................................................................3
The Interface..................................................................................................................................................3
Customising the Header ................................................................................................................................7
Using Adobe Acrobat X Pro to create Interactive Forms ............................................................................... 8
Distribution the form................................................................................................................................... 13
Using Adobe Acrobat Pro to Review pdf documents ................................................................................... 15

Adobe Acrobat X Pro

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Using Adobe Acrobat X Pro to create digital portfolios

What can you do with this software?
Adobe Acrobat X Pro can be used to:
Create a pdf document from another file type e.g. Word document, Excel spreadsheet,
PowerPoint presentation
Create a PDF portfolio
Combine pdf documents
Create pdf forms

What is a digital portfolio (eportfolio)?

A digital portfolio contains multiple files assembled into one integrated PDF file. The files in a digital
portfolio can be in a wide range of file types created in different applications. For example, a digital
portfolio can include text documents, e-mail messages, spreadsheets, CAD drawings, PowerPoint
presentations and pdf documents. You can open, read, edit, and format each file in the digital portfolio.
PDF stands for Portable Document Format. It is an application which allows you to view and share
electronic documents easily and safely.
The final portfolio is one single pdf file that contains all the files added to it!

Using digital portfolios

In the classroom you might use a digital portfolio to:
1.

quickly access resources during a lesson via a PDF portfolio

2. distribute assignments, project work or self-paced lessons to students as a portfolio that

includes instructions, resources, demonstrations, worksheets and assessment guides
3. ask students to submit portfolios of work or project work as a PDF portfolio

Adobe Acrobat X Pro

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Creating a pdf portfolio

The Interface

From the Start menu select Adobe Acrobat X Pro. The application opens as shown.
Under Getting Started: Click on Create PDF Portfolio

Choose one of the available layouts for your portfolio:

a. Click-Through
b. Freeform
c. Grid
d. Linear
e. Wave
As you click on the different layouts the right hand panel changes and gives the description of
the selected layout. Layouts may be changes at any time.

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Click Add Files to add your files to your portfolio. Files are displayed alphabetically by filename.
You can add any file type to your portfolio:
a. Word documents
b. Excel spreadsheets
c. PowerPoint presentations
d. Video files
e. Audio files

Navigate to
your files, click
on the filename
and click Open
The selected
file/s is added
to the portfolio.
The display is
determined by
the layout
chosen.
Multiple files
can be selected
using Ctrl-click
The right hand
task pane
displayed allows the portfolio to be edited using the two tabs:
a. Layout
b. Details

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The arrows
and
to the left of the title are used to expand/collapse the available
options.
Layout: This tab contains several sections that are used to format the portfolio:
a. Add Content
i. Add Files
ii. Add Folder
iii. Add Web Content
iv. Create Folder
b. Portfolio Layout:
i. Click-Through
ii. Freeform
iii. Grid
iv. Linear
v. Wave
c. Visual Themes:
i. Clean
ii. Spring
iii. Tech Office
iv. Modern
v. Translucent
d. Color Palettes
e. Background:
i. Background Colour
ii. Background Image
f. Portfolio Properties
Details: This tab:
a. shows the details of all files contained in the portfolio
b. Allows the order in which the files are displayed to be determined.

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To arrange the files in a preferred order:

o Create a new column - this will be used as the sort column
Type in a name for the column e.g. Number in the text box Add a column
Use the drop-down menu to select Number for the type of data the column will
contain.

New column

Click the + sign to add the column to the existing list of columns

Use the Up arrow

to move the new column to the top of the list.
Under Initial Sort: select the name of your created column e.g. Number
The new column will appear first in the right hand panel.
Enter the numbers 1, 2. To designate the order in which you want the files
displayed.
Click on Layout to see the changes

Click the Save

Adobe Acrobat X Pro

icon on the toolbar to save the portfolio

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Customising the Header

The top section of the portfolio is reserved for a header. This will appear throughout the portfolio.
1. Click on the Header section.
Header

2. The task pane will change to show an additional section Header Properties. This is visible only
when the header is selected.
3. Templates: A choice of 4 templates
a. The header section will change depending on the
choice made.

4. Header Items:
a. Add
Image can be used to add
an image to the header
b. Add Text can be used to add text to the header.
5. Background Colour:
a. Choose a header colour and the type of fill e.g. solid
or gradient

Adobe Acrobat X Pro

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Using Adobe Acrobat X Pro to create Interactive Forms

From the Start menu select Adobe Acrobat Pro X from the available options.

Select Use the current document or

browse to a file
Click Next
Click Browse to locate your file to use.

Adobe Acrobat X Pro

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Locate your file, click on it and click Open

Click Next

If the document is not a pdf document it will convert the file to a pdf file first.

The file is opened in Adobe Pro as a pdf file.

Click OK

Adobe Acrobat X Pro

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The window changes to show the options available to create a form in the right hand task pane.
Adobe pro automatically detects (guesses) where the input fields are. They are shown shaded in
blue.

The toolbar also changes to include tools available for creating forms.
Preview is used to see how the form will look like to users.

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Tasks available are:

o
o
o
o
o

Add New Field

Distribute
Track
Close Form Editing
Other Tasks

Add New Field has several options. This option contains the
different types of fields that can be added to the form.

Fields inserted automatically by Adobe can be deleted and

new fields can be inserted as required. Click on a field and
click the Delete key to delete.

To insert a field:
o Click on the type of field required e.g. text field
o Move the cursor at the place the field is required
o Click the mouse to insert the field.
o The following will be inserted
o The top box, outlined in blue, is the input area.
o The Field Name is the name of the input box. It is
best to enter a name for each field used this makes it easier for editing.
o The field can be re-sized as required

Setting Field Properties:

o Click on All Properties in
the Field Name box to
see the field properties
OR
o Double click on the field
o A dialogue box opens
with several tabs. This is
used to set the
properties for the field,
e.g. field name
o The options available will
depend on the type of
field inserted.
o Under Options set a text
field to multi-line

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Click Preview to see how the form looks and to test the form.

Click the Save icon to save the form.

Creating and using radio buttons

At least 2 radio buttons must be created to use

this type of field. More can be used e.g. multiple
choice questions.
This type of field is used only when there is ONE
possible answer.
Click Radio Buttons as a field type
Position the cursor on the page and click the
mouse to insert the field.
The radio button is inserted.
Radio Button Choice: These are the alternatives
e.g. Y, N, A, B etc
Group Name: This must be the same for all
buttons that are used in a group where only one
cane be selected at a time. E.g. Answer
Click Add Another Button to add more buttons
to the group
Note Well!

Creating List Box and Drop Down menu Fields

Place the field onto the worksheet at the
required place and click the mouse.
Name the field.
Click All Properties. The properties box is
displayed.
In the Options tab type in the name of the Item
to be included in the list and click Add
Repeat for each item to be displayed in the dropdown menu or list box.
The items will appear in the Item List: box
Click Close when finished
Click Preview to check your form.

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Distribution the form

The last step in the process is to distribute the form so that it can be used by students.
1. Save the form first.
2. Click Distribute in the tasks pane.
3. The following
message may
appear.
4. Click Yes
5. Select manually
collect responses
in my email inbox
6. Click Next

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7. Select Save a copy and

manually send it later
8. Click Browse to select a
location to save the file
9. Click Next
10. Enter the email details
11. Click Next
12. Click Finish

OR
Save the form and make it
available to students from a
shared directory.

Adobe Acrobat X Pro

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Using Adobe Acrobat Pro to Review pdf documents

Adobe Pro contains several tools that can be used to add annotations and comments to a pdf
document.
1. From the Start button click Adobe Acrobat Pro X
2. Select Open from the opening screen

3. Navigate
to your pdf
document,
click on it
and click
Open
4. The file
will open
in Adobe
Acrobat
Pro X

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5. The toolbar will have 2 options displayed in the right hand task
pane area
a. Tools
b. Comment
6. Click on Comment. This will display additional options of:
a. Annotations
b. Drawing Markups
c. Review
d. Comments List
7. Use the arrow next to the options to expand/collapse the
options available in that section.

8. The Comments List

provides a summary of all the
comments made in the
document. This list can be
searched to find partcular
comments.
9. You may record an audio annotation is you have an in-uilt
microphone or a microphone plugged in.
10. A pdf with some annotations

Adobe Acrobat X Pro

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