Export to Adobe Acrobat (PDF)

PDF (Portable Document Format) is a platform-independent format of electronic documents created by Adobe Systems. The free Acrobat Reader package is used for viewing. This format is rather flexible – it allows embedding necessary fonts, vector and raster images, and is well-suited for distributing and storing documents intended for viewing and printing.

Export method: layered.

When exporting to PDF, there will be a dialogue window for setting parameters of the output file, containing several tabs for adjusting various aspects of the export.

Common export properties:

  • Export all tabs – exports all pages of interactive reports, including detailed reports that are typically opened in new tabs.
  • Open after export – after the export is complete, the resulting PDF file will be automatically opened in the default PDF viewer application (e.g., Adobe Acrobat Reader).

Export Tab

This tab contains a single group of parameters responsible for selecting the page range for export.

Options Tab

This tab contains parameters for the PDF standard, font embedding, and image settings.

Options:

  • PDF Compliance – selects the PDF format version for export:
    • PDF 1.5 – standard PDF version with support for interactive forms.
    • PDF/A-1a, PDF/A-2a, PDF/A-2b, PDF/A-2u, PDF/A-3a, PDF/A-3b – standards for long-term document archiving (PDF/A).
    • PDF/X-3, PDF/X-4 – standards for printing and publishing (PDF/X).
  • Embedded Fonts – embeds all fonts used in the report into the output PDF file to ensure correct display on any computer, even if the fonts are not installed in the system. Increases the output file size.
  • Background – exports the page background (including watermarks) to the PDF file. Increases the output file size.
  • Text in Curves – converts all text into vector outlines (glyphs). The text becomes non-editable and non-copyable, but is guaranteed to display identically on all devices regardless of installed fonts. Available only for PDF/X-3 and PDF/X-4 standards.
  • Interactive Forms – saves interactive report elements (input fields, buttons) as PDF forms that can be edited later in PDF viewer applications. Available only for the PDF 1.5 standard.

Images:

  • Color Space – selects the color profile for images:
    • RGB – standard color space for screen display.
    • CMYK – color space for printing.
  • Original Resolution – preserves the original quality and resolution of images without changes.
  • Print Optimized – outputs graphic images in high resolution for subsequent printing. Enabling this option is recommended if the document contains graphics and will be printed. Increases the output file size.
  • Jpeg Compression – enables JPEG compression for images to reduce file size.
  • Jpeg Quality – sets the JPEG compression level (from 1 to 100, where 100 is the highest quality).

Vector Graphics Tab

This tab adjusts the quality and rendering method for vector objects, gradients, and curves.

Gradient Quality – selects a preset quality level for rendering gradient fills:

  • Export as Image – converts gradients into raster images.
  • Low Quality – exports gradients using up to 32 interpolation points. A low number of points may cause visible banding but reduces file size.
  • Medium Quality – exports gradients using up to 128 interpolation points. Optimal balance between gradient smoothness and file size.
  • High Quality – exports gradients using up to 256 interpolation points. Provides the smoothest color transition but increases file size.
  • Gradient Interpolation – exact number of points for creating the gradient grid (from 2 to 256). Allows manual adjustment if the standard presets are insufficient to achieve the desired balance between quality and file size.

Curves – parameters for smoothing vector lines and text:

  • Curves Interpolation – determines the number of interpolation points for vector curves (SVG elements). More interpolation points make curves smoother but increase file size and processing time.
  • Text Interpolation – determines the number of interpolation points for smoothing font outlines (similar to curve interpolation).
  • SVG as Picture – if enabled, all SVG graphics are exported as raster images instead of vector objects.

Information Tab

This tab sets PDF document metadata – file information displayed in document properties. You can specify the title, author, subject, and keywords here.

Security Tab

This tab configures PDF document protection with passwords and access restrictions.

Authentication:

  • Owner Password – password for full access to the document. Allows changing security settings and editing the document.
  • User Password – password required to open the document. If set, the document cannot be opened without entering the password.

Permissions – restrictions for users who open the document (without the owner password):

  • Print the document – allows printing.
  • Modify the document – allows editing the content.
  • Copy of text and graphics – allows copying content to the clipboard.
  • Add or modify text annotations – allows adding comments and notes.

Digital signature Tab

This tab configures a digital signature for the PDF document to verify authorship and file integrity.

Sign Information:

  • Sign Document – enables adding a digital signature to the exported file.
  • Location – host name (computer) or physical location of the signer (city, country).
  • Reason – reason for signing the document (e.g., "I agree...").
  • Contact Info – contact information of the signer, allowing the recipient to verify the signature's authenticity (e.g., email or phone).

Certificate Information:

  • Certificate path – path to the certificate file used for signing.
  • Certificate password – password to access the certificate's private key.
  • Save password – saves the certificate password for reuse in subsequent exports. Use with caution for security reasons.

Viewer Tab

This tab configures the PDF document's behavior when opened in a viewer application.

Viewer Preferences:

  • Show Print Dialog – automatically opens the print dialog when the document is opened.
  • Hide toolbar – hides the viewer application's toolbar.
  • Hide menubar – hides the viewer application's menu bar.
  • Hide window user interface – hides the window interface elements of the viewer application.
  • Fit window – expands the viewer window to full screen.
  • Center window – centers the window on the screen.
  • Print scaling – automatically adjusts the page size to fit the paper size when printing.
  • Outline – displays the document outline (bookmarks) in the side panel.
  • Initial Zoom – initial zoom level when the document is opened.

The final result, appearance, and file size directly depend on the report template (see the "Recommendations on report development" section).