We are becoming more dependent on electronic documents as the world is gradually switching to the digital environment. The trend is especially evident when it comes to eBooks, which have captured a significant market share globally so far. It’s all about interactivity, accessibility, and portability ensured by a well-chosen file format, and PDF has made a great contribution to the convenience of digital reading. The format is hugely popular and used for a variety of purposes by both individuals and large enterprises. But can we consider reading capabilities to be its strongest side? Let’s do some digging to sort out the advantages and disadvantages of this file type and also learn when converting PDF to EPUB is a smart idea.
Benefits of PDF Files
Considering the huge popularity of PDF, it seems obvious that the format has a number of advantages over its competitors, which gives it the edge in a variety of scenarios. This is how PDF can improve the reading experiences of users:
Universal compatibility
PDFs are platform-independent, meaning that you will manage to open the file on any operating system – Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, etc. They are also universally compatible, so you can read PDFs on all devices, whether you are a PC, phone, or tablet owner. Thus, the portable document format is commonly used for creating eBooks on a wide range of topics since such electronic publications can be easily accessed and downloaded via any device.
Original layout is preserved
In addition to being one of the most popular eBook formats, PDF is also used for manuals, guides, technical documentation, and the like. The point is that such a file preserves its original format and looks identical on any machine. Meanwhile, content integrity is crucial when it comes to mass distribution. After all, you hardly want to see broken images or misplaced paragraphs every time you open the file on a new device – PDF eliminates such problems.
Interactive content
PDFs can be made dynamic and interactive, which makes the reading experience much more fascinating. The format allows adding images, GIFs, videos, drawings, and all kinds of 3D data without harming the quality of a document. In addition, PDF supports a great diversity of other elements, including tables, charts, buttons, hyperlinks, and more. All this makes files visually pleasing, whether it’s a fiction PDF eBook, academic literature, a digital magazine about fashion, or any other publication presented in electronic format.
Authenticity
PDF has long been considered one of the safest file formats due to the strong encryption and significant number of security features it possesses. For example, users can password-protect a document before sharing it or set copying, printing, or editing restrictions to prevent unwanted manipulations with content. PDFs are also difficult to redact since the format was initially designed as read-only. So if you get a file from a reliable source, you can be sure that it’s authentic.
Disadvantages of PDF Files
Even so popular, ubiquitous PDF is not ideal. There are a couple of shortcomings you may face when dealing with this format:
Difficulties with file editing
Although a slightly complicated process of document editing enhances security, this may seem like a great disadvantage for those willing to modify their files or collaborate on a project with other users. Scanned PDFs are not editable at all, but if the file is native, you still have some options to introduce changes to the content. Specialized editing software will serve you well for this purpose as such tools are packed with handy features to customize file layout. Another option refers to dedicated online services, which work with PDF and allow you to convert, edit, split, and merge documents without downloading any additional tools or apps.
Problematic reading on mobile screens
Since PDFs are traditionally presented in portrait orientation and A4 format, reading them on non-standard screens may be complicated. That’s why people often find this format inconvenient for viewing on mobile devices. Moreover, PDF size may grow large, taking up much storage space. But there is a solution! PDF files can be compressed to perform better on mobile devices.
Besides, there is also an option to convert PDF to EPUB, MOBI, and other formats widely used for eBooks. The procedure is easily done online and takes mere seconds. Keep in mind that many platforms offer such services for a fee, but it’s still possible to convert PDF to EPUB free of charge, while the resulting document with be of the highest quality:
- Go to an online converter and drop your PDF file into the upload box.
- Wait until the conversion procedure is completed.
- Review the resulting EPUB file and download it.
Final Thoughts
PDF is a great file format – cross-platform compatibility, advanced security features, and the ability to integrate multimedia content give it a major advantage over other formats. Its popularity among eBooks is quite understandable since PDF makes the reading experience more smooth and pleasurable. What’s more, it supports lossless compression and can be easily converted to EPUB in case this format feels better for you.