PDF File Complications
Typical PDF Opening Challenges
Missing LibreOffice
You encounter an error message such as "%%os%% Can't Open PDF Files" when trying to open your PDF. If this is the case, it's usually due to the fact that you do not have LibreOffice for %%os%% installed on your computer. The typical path of opening your PDF with a double-click won't work because %%os%% cannot make the program connection.
Tip: If you have another software that you know opens PDF files, you can select it by hitting the "Show Apps" button.
Wrong Version of LibreOffice is Installed
In some cases, you might have a newer (or older) version of a Portable Document Format File file that is unsupported by your installed application version. Visit the The Document Foundation website to download (or purchase) the latest version of LibreOffice. Most of the time your Portable Document Format File file was created by a newer LibreOffice than what you have installed.
Tip: Investigate your PDF file by right-clicking and selecting "Properties" to find clues on what version you need.
Ultimately, most of the difficulties opening PDF files are due to having the wrong version of LibreOffice installed.
Other Causes of PDF File Opening Problems
Even with the correct version of LibreOffice installed, you can still experience difficulties opening PDFs. There can be other issues - unrelated to software - preventing you from opening PDF files. These other problems include (listed in order from most to least common):
- Invalid PDF file references in the Windows Registry (the "phonebook" of the Windows Operating System)
- Unintentional removal of the description of the PDF file inside the Windows Registry
- Corrupt install of LibreOffice or other PDF-related program
- Your PDF file is corrupted (issues with your Portable Document Format File file itself)
- Malware-tainted PDF file can't be opened
- Device drivers for PDF-related hardware are out-of-date
- Windows cannot load your Portable Document Format File file due to insufficient resources (eg. RAM)
Quiz: What file extension was created by Adobe Corporation in 1992?
That's Correct!
The PDF, or Portable Document Format, was first mentioned by Adobe at the Seybold conference in San Jose in 1991. Version 1.0 wasn't announced until the following year at the COMDEX Fall conference where it was awarded ‘best of Comdex’.
Close, but not quite...
The PDF, or Portable Document Format, was first mentioned by Adobe at the Seybold conference in San Jose in 1991. Version 1.0 wasn't announced until the following year at the COMDEX Fall conference where it was awarded ‘best of Comdex’.
Poll: What is your favorite operating system?