In a presentation with more people, knowing how to present a PDF in full screen allows you to show the content of the document without distractions. In this article we are going to show you how to make a PDF document full screen.
PDF is the most widely used document type today. It is thanks to all its features, and mainly to the fact that its format is maintained, that makes it the one chosen by all. To view a PDF file you need a PDF reader, or a program previously installed on your computer.
However, there are always icons or toolbars that make it impossible to view it in its entirety, in full screen and without discomfort. Of course you can view a PDF full screen, in this article we are going to explain how.
Whether you want to read it without distractions, the font is a bit small and that leads you to have to enlarge it, it is possible to view the PDF larger with the full screen. Also, the PDF you have received may have embedded pictures or animations and you want to view it in the highest quality. In any of these cases, full screen PDF is the solution.
In this article, you will learn which commands or tools you need to select to view the large PDF, without editing or making any modifications to the file. Follow the steps and you will see how easy it is to do.
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How To View A PDF In Full Screen
To view the full PDF, you will need a PDF reader. No matter which one you choose, they all have a full-screen reading mode, so you can view the document as wide and as long as your monitor will allow. We are going to explain the procedure for some of the main document readers, but the steps to follow will be very similar for any other program you use.
Before trying out more specific methods of each document viewer, a good way to quickly check if you can to view a PDF in full screen on your computer, without having to do anything else, is to press the key corresponding to this same functionality on the main operating systems, Windows and Mac:
- In Windows, to view a document full screen, you must press the F11 key on your computer.
- On Mac, press the key combination cmd + ctrl + f.
Generally, this simple click will allow you to open the document so that it fills the entire screen. In case you are looking for a procedure for a specific program, read on.
What You Should Know About Viewing A PDF In Full Screen
The functionality to view PDFs in full screen can be very useful when it comes to, for example, projecting the computer screen to make a presentation. In any case, when viewing a full-size PDF, keep the following details in mind:
- The pointer will always be active, even if you have a large PDF. With this pointer you will be able to click on links, or open notes in the document, as well as point to specific parts of the file.
- If you want to use the shortcuts to open the full screen, you can configure them as you wish on your computer. It is also possible to set a preference with the navigation buttons to perform the activity you want, all through external programs, such as ShortKeys, AutoHotkey or HotKeyBind.
- If you cannot find the full screen function, it may be because you have an old version of the document viewer. Update it, in order to have all the necessary functions active.
- When more than one screen is installed , the PDF may only be displayed on one of them. If so, the full screen command in Windows 10 or any other system will work only on the screen being viewed.
Which Programs Allow You To View A PDF In Full Screen
It all depends on the operating system you have. In general, with the latest versions of Adobe Acrobat it is possible. But there are also other alternatives for viewing full-size PDFs, such as Chrome.
View A PDF In Full Screen On Your Computer
Whether you have Windows, Mac or Linux, you will find a PDF reader that allows you to view the file in full screen. Sometimes, the computer itself comes with a built-in program that gives you this option. Or it also happens that, if you are using the browser, the PDF opens in it.
Windows
If you already have it installed, follow the steps below:
- Open the Adobe Acrobat program.
- Select the PDF document you wish to view.
- Go to the "View" menu and from there to the "Full Screen Mode" option.
- If you want to go to the next page, select the Enter key, or the down or right arrow on the keyboard.
- To go to the previous page, select the full-screen Shift+Enter key together, or the up or left arrow on the keyboard.
- To close, use the key combination Ctrl+L, or the Esc key.
It is worth clarifying that, when the full screen mode is activated, the menu bars and panels that are usually present disappear, so they will be hidden when you set this mode.
If you want to set the preference on the navigation bar in the full screen, follow these steps:
- Go to "Preferences" and from there to "Categories".
- Select "Full Screen" and "Show navigation bar".
- Click "OK".
- Now go back to "View" and then to "Full Screen Mode".
With this you will get that, when viewing the PDF in full screen, the buttons to go to the next page or to the previous page will also appear. The buttons will appear in the lower left corner.
Nowadays, all browsers have a built-in PDF reader function. Simply open the file with the browser open and it will open as another page. This feature is very well integrated into Chrome, and is a perfect solution for cases where Adobe Acrobat Reader does not work. Another option is Microsoft Edge, Microsoft's browser that replaces the old Internet Explorer.
Mac
The operation is the same as in the rest of the operating systems. In this case, it is best to use Preview, which allows you to easily open your document in full screen mode:
- Open your PDF with macOS Preview.
- Click on the"Visualization" menu.
- Click on"Use full screen" and the document will take up the full size of the screen.
Another option available is to use Chrome directly as a PDF reader. In this case, to view the PDF in full size, it will be as simple as going to the "View" menu and selecting "Use full screen".
Linux
If you are a Linux user, one of the most common methods to view documents in full screen mode is to press the key combination Alt + F11. Test if it works for you, because it will depend on the version of the operating system you are using.
View Full-screen PDFs On A Mobile Or Tablet
If you are on your cell phone and receive the PDF, don't worry, because you also have the option to view it in full screen. Here you could use the PDF reader that many cell phones come with.
Android
Download Adobe Acrobat, from the Play Store, to make use of this feature and others. The operation, for viewing a large PDF file, will be the same. You will have to go to "View" and "Full Screen Mode". Many phones have built-in PDF readers. Check beforehand if you have one of them that is useful to you.
iPhone (iOS) Or iPad
Adobe Acrobat is also available for download from the App Store. If it doesn't work for you, you can always opt for a specific reader, or even open the PDF to view it in full screen in the Chrome browser.
