Acrobat XI Standard / FAQ
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- Which products make up the Adobe® Acrobat® XI Family of software?
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The Adobe Acrobat XI Family includes desktop products, mobile apps, and online services.
Desktop products for Windows®:
Desktop products for Mac OS:
Mobile apps:
Online services:
- Which products in the Acrobat XI Family are right for me?
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See the Acrobat XI product comparison to discover the best product for your needs.
- What's the difference in form functionality between Acrobat XI Pro and Acrobat XI Standard?
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Both Acrobat XI Pro and Acrobat XI Standard let you turn existing paper or digital forms into fillable PDF forms. You can distribute these forms using the Acrobat Tracker, which compiles a table of form responses and, if desired, a PDF file of all completed forms.
Acrobat XI Pro now also lets you create new PDF and web forms* from scratch or professional templates using the new included Adobe FormsCentral desktop app. With Acrobat XI Pro, you can:
- Create new PDF forms in minutes that anyone can complete using free Adobe Reader software
- Build web forms* virtually anyone can complete with a web browser
- Distribute* PDF and web forms using the FormsCentral desktop app
- View PDF or web form responses in real time online, choosing from a table view or automatically generated summary charts*
* Requires an active account with the FormsCentral online service. Free and paid subscriptions apply.
- How can I distribute my fillable PDF forms?
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With Acrobat XI, you have three options for distributing fillable PDF forms. Simply click Distribute in the Forms panel of the Tools pane to see these options:
- Email: Acrobat helps you distribute your PDF form as an email attachment, supporting up to 500 responses per form. When recipients complete the form and send it back to you, responses are returned to your mailbox. Acrobat creates a master response file containing all completed forms, plus a summary of your results in a simple table view.
- Internal server: Acrobat lets you select a network folder or your company’s Microsoft SharePoint server to collect up to 500 PDF responses per form. Recipients need read/write access to your server to submit their responses. You can see the results in a simple table view by clicking Track in the Forms panel.
- Adobe FormsCentral: Take advantage of real-time online reporting and analysis tools by distributing PDF forms using the FormsCentral online service, which will require an active free or paid subscription.
- Email: Acrobat helps you distribute your PDF form as an email attachment, supporting up to 500 responses per form. When recipients complete the form and send it back to you, responses are returned to your mailbox. Acrobat creates a master response file containing all completed forms, plus a summary of your results in a simple table view.
- What's the difference between free and paid FormsCentral online service accounts?
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When you open a free Adobe FormsCentral online service account, you can distribute one PDF or web form at a time and collect up to 50 responses. When you open a paid account, the Basic subscription lets you distribute up to five forms at any given time with up to 500 responses per form, and the Plus subscription lets you distribute an unlimited number of forms with up to 5,000 responses per form. Terms of service may change. Visit the FormsCentral website for full pricing details.
- How can I get others to sign documents using the EchoSign online service?
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Acrobat XI is integrated with the EchoSign online service to let you easily send a document to others for signing, track the entire process, and store signed documents online. Simply choose Send For Signature in the Get Others to Sign panel of the Sign pane. You will need an active free or paid account with the EchoSign online service.
- What's the difference between free and paid EchoSign online service accounts?
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When you open a free Adobe EchoSign online service account, you receive basic functionality during a 30-day trial period. Paid accounts support more users and greater functionality. Terms of service may change. Visit the EchoSign website for full pricing details.
- How can I learn to use the new features in Acrobat XI?
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For more information and tutorials on how to use the new features and functionality in Acrobat XI, visit the Acrobat User Community and Adobe TV.
- Is there a trial version of Acrobat XI?
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Yes, you can download a fully functional, 30-day trial version of Acrobat XI Pro for Windows or Mac. The trial software is available in English, French, German, and Japanese, as well as in Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Hungarian, Italian, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish and Turkish.
- Is the Acrobat XI Family 64-bit compliant?
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Yes, Acrobat is a 32-bit application that can run and has been tested on 64-bit versions of Microsoft® Windows 7 and 8, Windows XP, and Windows Server® 2003 and 2008.
- Does Adobe have tools to help IT departments with enterprise deployments?
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Yes, many Acrobat XI tools and utilities are available to streamline enterprise deployments and help control IT costs. To learn more, visit the Acrobat IT resources page.
- How does product activation work in Acrobat XI?
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Activation is a required process by which Adobe validates that your software is genuine and being used as allowed by your product license agreement. It is intended to protect both your rights as a consumer and Adobe's rights as a software developer. Activation also helps confirm that the software you bought is not counterfeit.
You will not be able to use your software if it is not activated. Each single-user license grants rights for Acrobat XI to be installed on two computers at any given time. Acrobat XI products automatically attempt to activate over the Internet. During activation, no personal information is transmitted. See the Adobe software activation page and read this article for more information.
- What protected viewing modes are available in Acrobat XI and Reader XI?
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Similar to Protected Mode in Adobe Reader, Protected View is an implementation of “sandboxing” technology for the rich Acrobat feature set. In Acrobat XI, Adobe extends the functionality of Protected View beyond blocking write-based attacks that attempt to execute malicious code on your computer system using the PDF file format to read-based attacks that attempt to steal your sensitive data or intellectual property via PDF files.
Just like Protected Mode, Protected View confines the execution of untrusted programs (for example, any PDF file and the processes it invokes) to a restricted sandbox to avoid malicious code using the PDF format from writing to or reading from your computer’s file system. Protected View assumes all PDF files are potentially malicious and confines processing to the sandbox unless you specifically indicate that a file is trusted.
Learn more about the application security features of Acrobat XI.
- How can I install the latest updates and security patches for Acrobat?
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Adobe recommends that you always install the latest updates and security patches. Acrobat XI and Reader XI will notify you when new updates are available, or you can customize the settings so all updates are automatically installed. Acrobat XI tools are also available to streamline updates across enterprise deployments, helping to control IT costs.
- How does Acrobat XI work with Microsoft Office 2010 for Windows?
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Adobe developed Acrobat XI to work seamlessly from within Microsoft Office 2010 for Windows. With Acrobat XI, you can:
- Export PDF files as Microsoft Word files or Excel spreadsheets while keeping your layouts, formatting, and tables intact
- Export PDF files as PowerPoint presentations with fully editable text, tables, objects, and master layouts (Acrobat XI Pro only)
- Click a single button on the Acrobat task ribbon to create PDF files from within the most popular Microsoft Office 2010 applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
- Use the Acrobat task ribbon in Office to quickly email a PDF file, protect it with a password, set file usage restrictions, or sending a file out for shared review
- Use the Acrobat task ribbon to create a PDF and immediately run a preset Action to quickly complete common tasks, such as preparing a document for archiving or public distribution (Acrobat XI Pro only)
- Import comments from a PDF file into the source Word document as markups that can be accepted or rejected using the Microsoft Word Track Changes tool
Note: One-button PDF file creation in Microsoft Office 2010 and the ability to import comments into Word are available only in Acrobat XI and X for Windows. To create PDF files from Office 2010 applications when using Acrobat XI for Mac OS or earlier versions of Acrobat, select Adobe PDF as the printer in the Print dialog box.
- Does Acrobat XI integrate with Microsoft SharePoint and Microsoft Office 365?
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Yes, you can easily work with PDF files if you have a Microsoft SharePoint server. Whether you’re a Windows or a Mac user, Acrobat XI lets you quickly access PDF files stored in your SharePoint library from any Acrobat Open or Save dialog box. Open PDF files from within SharePoint to view and collaborate on PDF documents. You can even check PDF documents out of SharePoint for editing, and then check them back in once you're finished.
You can also automate processes by hosting shared document reviews or data collection for PDF forms on your SharePoint server. In addition, you can use the improved Combine dialog box to access documents directly from online storage services like Microsoft Office 365 (use subject to Microsoft terms of service).
- Do Acrobat XI and Reader XI support Windows 8?
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Yes, both Acrobat XI and Reader XI have been tested and are confirmed to operate on Windows 8.
- Do older versions of Acrobat support Windows 8?
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Acrobat 10.1.4 and XI support Windows 8. Upgrading to Acrobat XI will help ensure compatibility with Windows 8 and access to the latest product enhancements. Enterprise customers with a Gold or Platinum support plan can contact Customer Support for upgrade tips and planning help.
- When will Acrobat XI be available?
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Acrobat XI Pro, Acrobat XI Standard, and Adobe Reader XI are now available worldwide.
- How do I buy Acrobat XI?
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Select a store to order Acrobat XI products, or contact an Adobe Authorized Reseller. To purchase Acrobat XI for your organization, learn more about Acrobat volume licensing.
- Will Acrobat XI continue to be available as a perpetual software license?
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Yes, the Acrobat XI Family of products will continue to be available via a perpetual software license that is sold through volume licensing programs such as the Transactional Licensing Program, Cumulative Licensing Program, and Enterprise Agreement, as well as through retail and e-tail stores via product key cards and digital delivery.
- Are there any changes to the availability of Upgrade Plan or Enterprise Maintenance and Support for Acrobat?
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No changes have been made to the availability of Upgrade Plan under the Cumulative Licensing Program or Maintenance and Support under Enterprise Agreement for Acrobat, and there are no planned changes at this time.
- What versions of Acrobat does Adobe currently support?
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Adobe actively supports Acrobat XI, Acrobat X, and Acrobat 9. Per the Adobe Enterprise Support Lifecycle Policy, support for Acrobat 8 and Reader 8 ended on November 3, 2011.
- I own a previous version of Acrobat software. Am I eligible for an upgrade to Acrobat XI?
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For information about upgrading to a new Acrobat XI product, read the Acrobat XI Pro buying guide or Acrobat XI Standard buying guide.
- What support options are available for Acrobat XI products?
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Registered owners of the current version of Adobe Acrobat are eligible to receive person-to-person support on issues related to installation and products, with affordable per-incident support prices. Visit the Acrobat Help page for additional support information, including worldwide telephone support numbers, Knowledgebase articles, and tutorials — available free of charge. The Acrobat Help page also provides detailed information on common Acrobat issues.
- What is the Adobe Product Improvement Program?
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The Adobe Product Improvement Program was introduced with Acrobat 9 and will continue with Acrobat XI. This program invites users of Acrobat XI and Reader XI to help Adobe design future products by providing anonymous information on how they use certain features and functions in the application.
Acrobat will automatically present you with a dialog box offering you the option to opt in to the program; the default is set to opt out. The dialog box will also include a link to a web page where you can learn more about the program. If you agree to participate, the data collection process is invisible to you and does not affect your experience or your computer's run time. After you exit Acrobat XI or Reader XI, anonymous data — such as operating system, browser type, menu options, and buttons selected — is sent to Adobe. By analyzing usage trends among large groups of unidentified users, Adobe can design future products that better meet your needs.
- Do other software companies have programs like this?
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Yes. Adobe is among the many companies that use customer feedback programs to enhance their products.
- How is my privacy protected?
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Adobe takes many precautions to help protect the collected and transmitted information from potentially harmful access. We collect data only for the specific product(s) listed in the Adobe Product Improvement Program dialog box, and the data is disclosed only according to the terms described in the Adobe online privacy policy. Data collected is stored or processed in the United States or any other country where Adobe or third-party partners operate. This program is not spyware and cannot collect information without your full knowledge or consent. The program takes only those actions described on this page and only if you give your permission. Since no personal identifiable information is collected as part of the Adobe Product Improvement Program, the anonymous data will not be meaningful to anyone aside from specific Adobe product teams.
- Will a third party collect and analyze information on behalf of Adobe and possibly use the information for its own purposes?
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No, there will be no third parties accessing data generated by this program.
- Can participants in the Adobe Product Improvement Program stop participating after they have opted in?
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Yes, we have made it easy for users to stop participating. Just go to the Help menu in Acrobat XI or Reader XI and select Improvement Program Options. When the dialog box appears, you can opt out.
- Where can I learn more about the Adobe Product Improvement Program?
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Read the full Adobe Product Improvement Program FAQ.
- How can I use Adobe online services when working with Acrobat XI?
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Adobe online services extend your Acrobat XI working environment to help you streamline and simplify your projects:
- Adobe EchoSign makes it easy to get rid of paper signatures forever. If you open a free or paid account with the service, you can use the Sign pane in Acrobat XI to send documents to others for signature approval and track results online. Recipients can sign electronically without installing software or creating an EchoSign account.
- Acrobat.com lets you store and access your files online from within Acrobat or Reader on any device when you sign up for a free account. You can also collect everyone's feedback in a single PDF file and let reviewers build on one another's comments in real time. Just select Acrobat.com as your preferred distribution method when sending a file out for shared review in Acrobat XI.
- Adobe FormsCentral makes it fast and easy to distribute your existing PDF forms or create new ones from scratch. If you open a free or paid account with the online service, you can choose to create forms and view results in your web browser, or download a desktop version of the online app.
- Adobe SendNow is an Adobe online service that lets you send and track large files — including audio and video — without the headaches of email size restrictions. Free and paid subscriptions are available.
- Does Adobe offer online services for basic PDF tasks?
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Yes, the following services are available online for monthly, yearly, and group subscription rates:
- Adobe CreatePDF lets you create PDF files and combine multiple files into a single PDF document. You can access CreatePDF directly from the Reader XI Tools pane, upload a document using a web browser, or print files to PDF from any Windows desktop application.
- Adobe ExportPDF lets you save PDF documents as editable Microsoft Word or Excel files. You can access ExportPDF directly from the Reader XI Tools pane or upload a document to the service using a web browser.
- What version of the PDF specification does Acrobat XI support?
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Acrobat XI supports ISO 32000, the open standard maintained by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
- What PDF-based standards does the Acrobat XI Family support?
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Acrobat XI supports the creation and validation of these workflow-specific PDF standards:
- PDF/A for archiving (ISO 19005): PDF/A-1a, PDF/A-1b, PDF/A-2a, PDF/A-2b, PDF/A-2u, PDF/A-3a, PDF/A-3b, and PDF/A-3u
- PDF/E in Acrobat XI Pro for engineering (ISO 24517): PDF/E-1
- PDF/X for print production (ISO 15930): PDF/X-1a, PDF/X-3, PDF/X-4, PDF/X-4p, PDF/X-5g, and PDF/X-5pg
- PDF/VT in Acrobat XI Pro for variable data and transactional printing (ISO 16612-2): PDF/VT-1 and PDF/VT-2
- What is PDF/A?
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PDF/A provides specifications for creating, viewing, and printing digital documents for long-term preservation. Records managers, archivists, and industry-compliance professionals can use Acrobat XI to preserve and help protect final documents of record as self-contained files.
- What is PDF/E?
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PDF/E provides specifications for creating, viewing, and printing documents used in engineering workflows. Architects, engineers, construction professionals, and manufacturing product teams can use Acrobat XI Pro to facilitate the exchange of documentation and drawings with others in the supply chain, and to streamline review and markup of documents.
- What is PDF/X?
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PDF/X provides specifications for creating, viewing, and printing final print-ready or press-ready pages. This standard provides guidelines for PDF settings that affect critical aspects of printing, such as color space and trapping. Print professionals, graphic designers, and other creative professionals can use Acrobat XI to create and deliver predictable, press-ready PDF/X-compliant files.
- What is PDF/VT?
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PDF/VT provides specifications for creating, viewing, and printing files such as bank statements and business invoices used in the variable data and transactional printing industry. Professionals who work with large documents containing variable data can use Acrobat XI Pro to ensure that the files they’ve produced comply with this international standard.
- Does Acrobat XI work in conjunction with any other PDF standards or initiatives?
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Yes. Acrobat XI supports the creation and use of PDF in compliance with these additional standards and initiatives:
- PDF/UA (Universal Accessibility): PDF/UA is an ISO standard (ISO 14289-1) that helps clarify PDF-specific technical requirements to ensure that conforming PDF ISO 32000-1 files are accessible and usable to all, including users who rely on assistive technology.
- W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG): Adobe participates in the WCAG working group at the W3C to help develop the technology-independent WCAG 2.0 standard as well as advisory techniques to help authors and developers meet this accessibility standard.
- PAdES (ETSI): PDF Advanced Electronic Signatures provides specifications to help ensure compliance with digital signature standards in the European Union. Adobe Acrobat XI supports PAdES Parts 2, 3, and 4.
- PDF for healthcare (AIIM): The AIIM PDF Healthcare Committee provides best practice and implementation guidelines to help facilitate the capture, exchange, preservation, and protection of healthcare information.
- Where can I learn more about standards?
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See additional details about Acrobat and PDF standards and Adobe and industry standards.
- Does Acrobat XI help provide document accessibility?
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The Acrobat XI Family of products helps address the needs of both users with disabilities and authors of accessible content. Using Acrobat XI Pro or Acrobat XI Standard, virtually anyone can create accessible PDF documents that others can view using Adobe Reader XI. This helps users with disabilities more easily access and use PDF files and forms across multiple languages.
Using Acrobat XI Pro, Acrobat XI Standard, or Reader XI, users and authors can:
- Customize accessibility preferences with an easy-to-use wizard
- Read PDFs out loud using built-in functions or working with professional screen-reading software
- Set high-contrast colors for better visibility
- Enable large-type display by setting text to reflow through pages
In addition, authors can make PDF files more accessible by using Acrobat XI Pro to:
- Add tags to control reading order and improve navigation
- Verify and adjust reading order for pages or columns of text
- Validate standards-compliant PDF documents, check for possible accessibility problems, and adjust files to meet accessibility standards
- Take advantage of enhanced tools to support the creation of PDF documents that meet WCAG 2.0 and PDF/UA standards
- Use the Make Accessible guided Action to more easily prepare, verify, and fix standards-compliant accessible PDF files
Learn more at the Adobe Accessibility Resource Center.
- How has accessibility been enhanced in Acrobat XI?
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Several enhancements in Acrobat XI Pro help make it easier to create accessible PDF content. They include:
- The new Make Accessible guided Action to help you verify and fix document accessibility, such as adding alternative text to images and form fields
- Enhancements to the Accessibility Checker so you can check if your document meets primary accessibility requirements — now including conformance with WCAG 2.0 and PDF/UA standards — and make any needed corrections more efficiently
- Synchronized selection between the Tags panel and Content pane so you can toggle more easily between the two viewing modes
- Improved Reading Order tools, with enhanced display options and the ability to set up to six heading levels
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