The no-fuss way to handle those little document things people keep sending you
You’ve probably seen them before:
Someone emails you something and says, “It’s in the PDF I attached.”
And you think… Great. What’s a PDF?
Don’t worry — you’re not alone. Let’s walk through it.
First of All, What Is a PDF?
A PDF is just a kind of file — like a photo or Word document — that keeps everything looking the same no matter what device it’s on.
People use PDFs for things like:
- Receipts
- Forms
- Newsletters
- Printable guides (like the ones you’ll find here on Work the Thing!)
Step 1: Find the PDF
If someone emailed it to you:
- Open the email.
- Look for something near the bottom that says “Attachment” or shows a little paperclip icon.
- It might say something like
receipt.pdforinstructions.pdf.
If you downloaded it from a website:
- It’s probably in your Downloads folder (more on that below).
Step 2: Open the PDF
Depending on your device, here’s what to do:
On a Smartphone or Tablet:
iPhone/iPad:
- Tap the PDF. It will usually open right away in your screen.
- Tap the share icon (a little square with an arrow) if you want to send it or print it.
Android:
- Tap the PDF. It may ask which app to use — choose “Open With Drive” “Drive PDF Viewer”, “Adobe Acrobat,” or anything that says “PDF.”
If nothing happens, you may need to download a free app like Adobe Acrobat Reader from the App Store or Google Play.
On a Computer:
Windows:
- Click the file. It will usually open in Microsoft Edge (your browser) or Adobe Reader.
- If it downloads first, look at the bottom of your browser or in your Downloads folder and click it there.
Mac:
- Click the file. It should open in Preview, which is built in.
🖨️ Step 3: Print the PDF
Once it’s open and you can see it, here’s how to print:
On a Computer:
- Press Ctrl + P (Windows) or Command + P (Mac)
or - Click File > Print in the top menu
or - Look for a printer icon on the screen and click that.
Then:
- Choose your printer (it should be listed automatically if it’s connected)
- Select how many pages you want to print
- Click Print
On a Phone or Tablet:
- Tap the share icon (usually a box with an arrow or three dots)
- Tap Print
- Select your printer (you may need to connect it first if it’s wireless)
- Tap Print again
Note: Your printer must be connected to Wi-Fi and set up for mobile printing. If you’re unsure, check the printer brand’s app or website.
Troubleshooting Tips
- Can’t open the file? Download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader app.
- Don’t see a printer? Make sure your printer is turned on and connected to Wi-Fi or plugged in.
- Printing from phone not working? Try forwarding the PDF to yourself and printing from a computer instead.
Bonus Tip:
Save time later by creating a folder called “PDFs” on your computer or phone where you keep things like:
- Tax documents
- Medical forms
- Recipes
- Printables from this blog
You Did It!
PDFs don’t have to be mysterious. Now you can open, read, and print them like a pro.
If you’d like to practice, download the printable instructions and print them out!
Coming soon:
“How to Fill Out a PDF Form (Without Printing It)” — great for online paperwork!