PDF is the recommended format for ETDs because it is viewable and printable on any platform and because it preserves fonts, formatting, and graphics of source documents.

Multiple Documents

If the ETD manuscript consists of multiple documents, it is best to consolidate them into one document and convert the consolidated file to a PDF. If the ETD contains complex digital objects (digital video/audio, 3-dimensional, multimedia), submit those in a separate folder and link to them from your PDF file. You may also submit related files separately, for example the abstract of the ETD or datasets.

Conversion to PDF

The best way to create the PDF is by converting the electronic format into a PDF. See below for brief conversion instructions and frequently asked questions about PDF format:

http://www.etdadmin.com/cgi-bin/main/faq#pdf

Conversion Software

The Acrobat Reader, which is freely available for downloading, cannot be used to create a PDF. The recommended software to produce PDF files is Adobe Acrobat, which supports conversion from many different file types. Adobe Acrobat is included in several of the various Adobe Creative Suite editions. The Alkek Library Computer Lab (on the fourth floor of the library) has this software. Some of the other campus labs may also have it but it is best to check with the lab staff in advance.

If you cannot use software on campus, there are a few other possibilities:

• Adobe offers an online service for PDF file creation: https://createpdf.adobe.com/. The service supports many different file types. The first five conversions are free.
• If you use Microsoft Office 2007 software, Microsoft offers a PDF plug-in that allows saving as PDF.

Quality Control

Although various PDF creation software applications may differ in how the file is created, the following settings should be selected, if possible (check product documentation):
 

• Embed all fonts
• Print optimized

Make sure that you check over the final PDF document before you submit it. Do not assume that if the final Word or other file looks fine, the PDF will be fine. Look at charts, graphs, and any graphics files you imported into your document, and look for correct conversions of fonts and diacritical marks such as accents.

Make sure the PDF is not encrypted. If it is, the text cannot be extracted from them for full text indexing or storage.

 

Additional Resources

Adobe Documentation and Support http://www.adobe.com/support/documentation/