PDFs

PDFs are sometimes useful for your website, and there are some types of files — forms available for download, annual reports, certain reference materials — that are best represented online using an accessible PDF.

When to Use a PDF

Here are times a PDF might be appropriate on the bowdoin.edu website:

  • Application Forms
  • Annual Reports
  • One-Pagers for Download/Printing
  • Handbooks/Manuals
  • CVs on faculty/staff profiles

When to Avoid Using a PDF

PDFs should never be used in lieu of creating webpage content. They provide a poor user experience, often present accessibility and formatting issues, and prevent some audiences from accessing the information contained within them. In thinking about your mobile site visitors, larger file sizes can eat up users' data (or never load at all), and PDFs are not optimized for viewing on a small screen. Many users might have to zoom and strain to read your content. Don't provide extra barriers to accessing your information!

How to Add a PDF

Here's how to add a PDF to your site:

  1. Before uploading your file, make sure your PDF has a short, legible name. Use all lowercase letters and hyphens; do not use any spaces, underscores, or special characters. Your file name will determine your file's URL and will be visible to external audiences.
    1. Good examples: 2017-annual-report.pdf; scholarship-application-form.pdf
    2. Poor examples: 2017 annual report draft_final edits.pdf; appform_20180103_draft.pdf
  2. Click “Add Content” button.
  3. Select “File.”
  4. In the "Placement Folder" field, browse to the “pdf” folder. It's important to keep your site organized so that you can always locate your files, replace them as needed, and link to them across your site.
  5. Drop your file(s) in the dotted line area.
  6. Click Preview Draft > Submit > Submit. Now your file is stored in your website and will be available for linking elsewhere.

How to Create a New Version of a PDF

If you have a file that is regularly updated and you want the URL to remain the same, you can replace your existing PDF with a new version. 

  1. Navigate to the file you would like to update within the "pdf" folder of your site.
  2. Click "Edit."
  3. Drag the new version of the file to the dotted line area.
  4. Click Preview Draft > Submit > Submit.
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