Your Questions Answered:

• Why supply documents as PDF format Files?
• How do I open a PDF format file to view it?
• How do I print out a PDF format file?
• What do I do if the page does not fit on the paper in my printer?
• How can I save the PDF file onto my computer to view and print later, without going back online?
• How do I get Adobe Acrobat Reader on my computer?

Why supply documents as PDF format Files?

We supply the documents that we intend for you to print out in PDF format, because it ensures that what you print looks how we intended it to look.

This is particularly helpful when it comes to the forms that we expect you to be able to fill in and send back to us, as it means that:

• the form you print out is easy for you to read
• you have enough space to fill in the required information
• the form we receive back from you conforms with our standard lay out, which makes it easier for us to process efficiently - thus improving the service we offer you.

Furthermore, by distributing the documents as downloadable files, you can save them on your computer to view and print out at any time in the future, without having to go online each time.

Note that the information contained in the PDF files may be updated from time to time. We suggest you check the website to ensure you have the latest version, if it has been a while since you saved the file onto your computer.

How do I open a PDF format file to view it?

When you click on the link to the PDF file on our website, one of three things will happen:

• The PDF file opens within the browser window, replacing the page containing the link to the PDF file. This means you have the Adobe Acrobat Reader plug-in installed. (Use the browser "Back" button to return to the page that contained the link)
• The PDF file opens in an Adobe Acrobat Reader application window - your browser continues to display the page containing the link to the PDF file. This means you have Adobe Acrobat Reader configured as a Helper Application for your browser.
• A pop-up window asks you where you want to save the PDF file on your computer. This means that your browser is not configured to open PDF files directly. You will need to save the PDF file into an appropriate directory/folder on your hard drive and then open it using the Adobe Acrobat Reader application.

For more information on obtaining Adobe Acrobat Reader and configuring it to work with your browser, Click Here to skip to the relevant question on this page.

How do I print out a PDF format file?

Open the PDF file by one of the above methods - either within the browser, or separately using the Adobe Acrobat Reader application.

Then to print the document, simply click on the printer icon in the Adobe Acrobat Reader tool bar (which appears above the document). You will get a standard Printer Options window pop-up, which allows you to select the range of pages you want to print, etc.

What do I do if the page does not fit on the paper in my printer?

We are well aware that different countries use different sized paper as their standard. In as far as possible we have designed our forms to fit both A4 and US letter (aka quarto) paper. However, printer settings and other factors may result in the edges of the forms not printing.

This problem can be resolved by selecting the "Shrink to Fit" option in the Printer Options window that pops up when you click on the printer icon in the Adobe Acrobat Reader tool bar. (If this still fails, please check that you have properly configured your printer to expect the paper size that you are printing on.)

How can I save the PDF file onto my computer to view and print later, without going back online?

If you click on the link to the PDF file with the right button on your mouse (long sustained click for Mac users) you will get an options menu which includes the option "Save Link As" (in Netscape) / "Save Target As" (in Internet Explorer).

Use the "Save Link As" / "Save Target As" option to save the PDF file directly onto your computer, without first opening it.

To save the PDF file when viewing it within the Netscape browser window first click anywhere on the PDF file, to ensure that you have the correct frame selected, and then use "Save Frame As" in the "File" menu to save the PDF file.

Note that if you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer and have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed as a plug-in you may not be able to save the PDF file whilst it is open and visible within the browser window, because by default it will have opened within a frame.

How do I get Adobe Acrobat Reader on my computer?

If you have not already installed Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer you will need to do so in order to view the PDF format files on this site. Adobe Acrobat Reader can be downloaded for free from the Adobe website. To visit the Adobe website Click Here.

Be sure to download the correct version of Adobe Acrobat Reader for the Operating System running on your computer. Once you have saved the installer for Adobe Acrobat Reader onto your computer you will need to run it to install it. This process will be similar to installing any other program on your computer.

For general information on the PDF format and Adobe Acrobat Reader and its features, click on this link to view Adobe's Introduction to Acrobat Reader.