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Most modern Web web web browser bid basic PDF - reading potentiality , and if you ’ve installed an Adobe product , you ’ve likely get additional functionality thanks to Adobe ’s web web browser plugin . But for years , a good option was found inPDF internet browser Plugin , a free ( for non - commercial use ) plug - in that provided a better set of feature for viewing PDFs in your web internet browser . Unfortunately , when Apple made the changeover to Intel - based Macs , PDF browser app Plugin did not , and I ’ve been receiving electronic mail from readers ever since involve about an Intel edition . With SchubertIt ’s acquittance of PDF browser app Plugin 2.3 , such a translation is at last here , and it ’s as useful as ever .

fall PDF web browser Plugin into your Internet Plug - Ins folder ( in /Library if you desire it to work for all exploiter accounting on your Mac , in ~/Library if you want to restrict it to just your own account ) , and clicking on a PDF radio link on a vane Thomas Nelson Page lade the document in your web browser windowpane , as usual . But instead of just the basic command — in the case of Safari , zoom , keep open , or opened in Preview — you get a flock of extra feature of speech .

The first matter you notice is that your web web browser now displays the PDF papers ’s table of contents ( if one be ) and lets you navigate sections just as you would in Preview or Adobe Reader . The second is a new PDF toolbar at the top of the viewing area . Using the button on this toolbar , you could start the PDF in Preview ; start the PDF in any other program ; save or print the PDF ; view or hide the table of content ; display the PDF as case-by-case pages , as face Thomas Nelson Page , or as a continuous document ; rapid growth in , out , or to the original size of it ; quickly skip between old views and view configurations ; and rotate the PDF . These pick are also available via the action menu on the ripe - handwriting side of the toolbar and by right - clicking anywhere in the PDF view .

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Viewing a PDF using split view

PDF browser app Plugin also works with protected PDFs , letting you offer a document ’s password to view or print ; display annotations if a written document contains them ; and allows you to introduce text into forms decently in your web browser app . Another neat option displays both the “ real ” and on - page page numbers , pee-pee it easy to figure out which pageboy to print when the one labeled 3 is really varlet 10 . The plugin let you take in PostScript document in your internet browser , as well .

Finally , one of my favorite feature — though one that ’s perhaps too difficult to discover — is split purview . Just above the up arrow in the scroll saloon is a small “ handle ” ; grab that treat and drag it down a scrap , and it becomes a ginmill that dissever the viewing area into two sections . Each plane section has its own curlicue Browning automatic rifle , countenance you consider two unlike parts of the current papers at the same time .

consider a PDF using split view

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Viewing a PDF using split view

One feature I could n’t get to work was usance print pick . The plugin is think to add new options to the mark dialogue , allowing you to prefer the print scaling and orientation , as well as whether or not to impress annotations . These options should be line up in a PDF browser app Plugin screen get at via the mark duologue ’s pick pop - up menu ; however , the option never appeared for me . But my biggest botheration with PDF browser app Plugin is that you ca n’t scroll through a PDF using your mouse ’s scroll wheel or your trackpad ’s scrolling gesture ; you must use the scroll bar or the keyboard .

While PDF internet browser Plugin is n’t quite the must - have as it was when I first covered it over five geezerhood ago , given that most browsers now admit some kind of PDF - reading feature , it ’s still a great add - on that meliorate your online experience . The plugin currently play with Safari ( including Safari 4 Beta ) , iCab , OmniWeb , and the Intel interlingual rendition of Firefox 3.1b or after . Note that if you have Adobe ’s PDF - meter reading plugin set up , you ’ll demand to turn it off in Adobe Reader ’s preferences .