Foxit Reader User Manual
Foxit Reader
User Manual
I
Foxit Reader
User Manual
Copyright © 2004-2019 Foxit Software Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
No part of this document can be reproduced, transferred, distributed or stored in any format without the prior
written permission of Foxit.
Anti-Grain Geometry - Version 2.4
Copyright (C) 2002-2004 Maxim Shemanarev (http://www.antigrain.com)
Portions of this product Copyright [2001-2019] Solid Documents
Permission to copy, use, modify, sell and distribute this software is granted provided this copyright notice appears
in all copies. This software is provided "as is" without express or implied warranty, and with no claim as to its
suitability for any purpose.
II
Foxit Reader
Contents User Manual
Contents
Contents ......................................................................................................... III
Chapter 1 – Introduction ......................................................................... 1
Foxit Reader Overview ........................................................................................... 1
Foxit Reader Add-ons ............................................................................................. 1
Foxit Plug-In Platform ............................................................................................ 3
Chapter 2 – Getting Started ................................................................... 6
Installing Foxit Reader ........................................................................................... 6
Updating Foxit Reader Add-ons ........................................................................ 12
Uninstalling Foxit Reader .................................................................................... 13
Online Help ................................................................................................................ 14
Work Area .................................................................................................................. 14
Setting Preferences & Viewing Properties ................................................... 23
Chapter 3 – Viewing PDFs ...................................................................... 44
Opening Documents .............................................................................................. 44
Saving Documents .................................................................................................. 48
Closing Documents ................................................................................................ 48
Exiting Foxit Reader .............................................................................................. 49
Viewing Documents ............................................................................................... 49
View 3D Content in PDFs ..................................................................................... 66
Finding Text .............................................................................................................. 67
Playing a Movie or a Sound Clip ....................................................................... 71
Thumbnails Preview in Windows ..................................................................... 71
Chapter 4 – Working on PDFs ............................................................... 72
Select & Copy ........................................................................................................... 72
Word Count ............................................................................................................... 73
Working with Layers ............................................................................................. 73
Measuring the Objects .......................................................................................... 75
Switching between Basic Commands ............................................................. 81
Using Rulers & Guides .......................................................................................... 81
Undoing and Redoing ............................................................................................ 83
Sharing Documents ................................................................................................ 83
Creating PDFs ........................................................................................................... 93
Signing PDFs ............................................................................................................. 99
Stamping PDFs ....................................................................................................... 119
Enable Fast Web View in a PDF ...................................................................... 125
Managing Security ................................................................................................ 126
Chapter 5 – Comment ............................................................................ 153
About the Commenting Commands............................................................... 153
Selecting Commands to Add Comments ..................................................... 153
About pop-up notes ............................................................................................. 167
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Contents User Manual
Managing Comments ........................................................................................... 168
PDF Review ............................................................................................................. 178
Chapter 6 – Form ...................................................................................... 181
Filling in PDF Forms ............................................................................................. 182
Commenting on Forms ....................................................................................... 184
Importing & Exporting Form Data ................................................................. 184
Chapter 7 – Data Import & Export ................................................... 185
Importing & Exporting Comments Data ...................................................... 185
Importing & Exporting Form Data ................................................................. 186
Generate 2D Barcode .......................................................................................... 190
Verify Signatures on XFA Forms ..................................................................... 191
Chapter 8 – Advanced Editing on PDFs .......................................... 192
Creating Bookmarks ............................................................................................ 192
Adding Links ........................................................................................................... 197
Attaching Files ....................................................................................................... 200
Adding Images ....................................................................................................... 205
Adding Audio & Video ......................................................................................... 211
Chapter 9 – ConnectedPDF .................................................................. 216
Chapter 10 – Printing ............................................................................. 217
Printing PDF Documents .................................................................................... 217
Print Dialog ............................................................................................................. 220
Setting Foxit Reader PDF Printer Properties ............................................ 223
Chapter 11 – Appendices ...................................................................... 226
Keyboard Shortcuts ............................................................................................. 226
Single-key Accelerators ..................................................................................... 228
Command Lines ..................................................................................................... 232
Contact Us ................................................................................................... 234
IV
Foxit Reader
Name
Function Description
Size
Remark
JPEG2000/JBIG
Decoder
This add-on module is for decoding images in JPEG2000
or JBIG2 formats. If you don't install this module,
images in those formats cannot be displayed.
169KB
Download
Free
GDI+ Module
This is a redistributable module from Microsoft which
provides better display quality for graphics. You can still
view the PDF file without this module in lower graphic
quality. Installing this module will not affect any other
764KB
Download
Free
Chapter 1: Introduction User Manual
Chapter 1 – Introduction
Foxit Reader Overview
Welcome to Foxit Reader-- the right choice to view and print PDF documents!
Foxit offers two packages of Foxit Reader (EXE and MSI). Foxit Reader (EXE) is a free PDF document
viewer and creator. Foxit Reader (MSI) is developed on the basis of Foxit Reader (EXE), but it
extends the usability and performance. Foxit Reader (MSI) provides advanced tools equipped with
proactive security features, and is fully featured with solutions such as RMS Protection, GPO
Control, XML Control, and other PDF viewing needs of enterprises and governments. This User
Manual explains more in depth on the capabilities and functions of Foxit Reader, but for more
information on the deployment of Foxit Reader (MSI), please refer to the attached “Foxit Reader
Deployment and Configuration”.
Foxit Reader (EXE) is a free PDF document viewer and printer. It launches quickly and is easy to
install. Just run “Foxit Reader Setup” and then follow the installation guides to complete installation.
In addition to the basic PDF viewing functions, Foxit Reader also includes various advanced features,
such as adding annotations, saving a PDF document as a text file, copying text from the text viewer,
and digital signature validation.
Foxit Reader Add-ons
Foxit Reader provides separate add-ons for you to download on demand. These critical and
advanced add-ons can be updated by the Update Manager, or they can also be downloaded from
our website (https://www.foxitsoftware.com/products/addons.php?product=reader).
Critical Add-ons
Critical add-ons are essential components for proper display and execution of our software.
Free Critical Add-ons in Foxit Reader
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applications on your system.
JavaScript
Support
This add-on is used to execute JavaScript in many
interactive forms. If you don't install this add-on, you
still can fill in such forms, but you wouldn't be able to
perform some automated tasks like field value
verification and recalculation.
1.05MB
Download
Free
Name
Function Description
Size
Remark
Foxit Toolbar
for Browser
This add-on is a free toolbar for IE or
Firefox that delivers up-to-date Foxit
news and upgrades straight to your
Internet browser, enabling the user to
search the web anytime anywhere,
giving easy access to various useful
goodies and gadgets.
1.01MB
Download
Free
Spell Checker
When you fill out an English form or use
typewriter to insert any English text, this
tool will try to find any spelling errors and
highlight them with squiggly lines. If you
right click on the misspelled words, you
will see a list of suggested words. Click
here to download the dictionary.
4.2MB
Download
Free
RMS Plug-in
RMS Plug-in provides seamless
integration with Microsoft Windows
Server environment to protect PDF
documents and manage policy
templates. With this plug-in, you can
restrict user’s access to documents to
safeguard digital information from
unauthorized use.
2.53MB
Integrated in the
package.
Foxit Reader (EXE):
Feature is free, with
watermark displayed
in PDFs.
Foxit Reader(MSI):
Free trial for 14 days,
without watermark
displayed in PDFs.
Chapter 1: Introduction User Manual
NOTE: To manually install a critical add-on, please extract it to the same directory where you
installed Foxit Reader.
See also “Updating Foxit Reader”.
Advanced Add-ons
Advanced add-ons have many specific capabilities.
Advanced Add-ons in Foxit Reader
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Tips:
1. Instructions on installation of .fzip package below
To manually install a critical or an advanced add-on, please run Foxit Reader, and then go to Help > Install Update >
browse and choose the related downloaded package, and then click the Open button. When you're done, click Done
to finish the installation.
2. How to install the dictionary for Foxit Spell Checker?
After you download the dictionary and unzip it, please save the unzipped folder named “lex” to the same installation
folder of Foxit Reader, which could be placed in “C:\Program Files\Foxit Software\Foxit Reader”.
Foxit Plug-In Platform
For flexible and convenient management of plugins, Foxit Reader offers a Plug-in Platform that
allows you to view the plug-in status, learn the information about the plugins installed, as well as
manage the plug-ins needed.
To open Foxit Plug-in Platform, please choose Help > Foxit Plug-Ins , and the window will
show up as below.
Foxit Plug-in Platform
Plug-in Status
Foxit Reader lists the plug-ins that have been installed in the About Foxit Plug-Ins windows. Some
plug-ins will be loaded the first time you use the related features. When the plug-in is successfully
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loaded, a checkmark will be displayed in the Loaded column. You can view the plug-in status in the
following two columns:
Certified: Shows whether the signature of the plug-in is valid or not.
Loaded: Shows whether the plug-in has been loaded successfully or not.
Plug-in Information
In addition to plug-in status, you can learn more information about the plug-in installed; including
the name, date, description and legal copyright.
To learn the details of a plug-in, please click More under the general description of the plug-in
shown in the Foxit Plug-in Platform. Then a dialog box showing the details of the plug-in will pop
up (as shown below).
Plug-in Management
With Foxit Plug-in Platform, you can manage the plug-ins as needed; including installing, enabling,
disabling, and uninstalling plug-ins.
Installing a Plug-in
To install a plug-in, please follow the steps below:
Select Help > Foxit Plug-Ins to open Foxit Plug-In Platform;
Click Install Plugin > choose the plug-in file (in .xml format) > click Open.
Then Foxit Reader will verify whether the signature of the plug-in to be installed is valid or not. If
it is valid, Foxit Reader will load the plug-in directly; if not, a prompt message will pop up (as shown
below), and the installation will be terminated.
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Note: The .xml and .fpi files of a plug-in to be installed should be placed in the same folder to avoid
an installation failure.
Disabling a Plug-in
To disable a plug-in, please follow the steps below:
Select Help > Foxit Plug-Ins to open Foxit Plug-in Platform.
Select the plug-in you want to disable, and click the Disable button to disable it.
Enabling a Plug-in
To enable a plug-in, please follow the steps below:
Select Help > Foxit Plug-Ins to open Foxit Plug-in Platform.
Select the plug-in to be enabled, and click the Undo Disable button to enable it.
Uninstalling a Custom Plug-in
To uninstall a custom plug-in (not built by Foxit), please follow the steps below:
Select Help > Foxit Plug-Ins to open Foxit Plug-in Platform.
Select the plug-in to be uninstalled, and click the Uninstall button to uninstall it.
Note:
1. All the operations to the plug-ins will take effect after you restart Foxit Reader.
2. Foxit Reader includes plug-ins that are required for the use of its functions, as well as for
maintenance. To ensure regular performance of the software, you are not allowed to disable or
uninstall the plug-ins (such as Foxit Updater plugin, Foxit Plug-in Platform plugin, and more.)
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Chapter 2: Getting Started User Manual
Chapter 2 – Getting Started
This section gives you an overview of Foxit Reader and how to install or uninstall, upgrade, as well
as customize work area and toolbar.
Installing Foxit Reader
Windows System Requirements
Foxit Reader runs successfully on the operating systems listed below. (If your computer does not
meet these requirements, you may not be able to use Foxit Reader.)
Operating Systems
Windows 7
Windows 8
Windows 10
Microsoft Office® 2007 or later version (required for some PDF creation features)
Verified as Citrix Ready® with Citrix XenApp® 7.13
Recommended Minimum Hardware for Better Performance
1.3 GHz or faster processor
512 MB RAM (Recommended: 1 GB RAM or greater)
1 GB of available hard drive space
1024x768 screen resolution
How to Install?
Please visit Foxit’s website (https://www.foxitsoftware.com/downloads/) to download the latest
version of Foxit Reader for free.
If you download the “FoxitReader_setup.exe” file to your computer, please do the following:
Double-click the installation file and you will see the Install Wizard pop up. Click Next to
continue.
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In order to install Foxit Reader on your system, you are required to accept the terms and
conditions of Foxit’s License Agreement. Please read the agreement carefully and then check
I accept the agreement and click Next to continue. If you cannot accept the agreement,
please click Cancel to exit the installation.
Foxit Reader will be installed under the default path: C:\Program Files \Foxit Software\Foxit
Reader. If you want to change the location, please click Browse and set the installation path.
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Choose to select standard or custom installation. You may also select the additional
components.
If you choose custom installation, you will be given a chance to select the additional tasks that
you would like to perform while installing Foxit Reader.
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If you want to set Safe Reading Mode during installation, please check the Enable Safe
Reading Mode.
Check the choices you made and click Install.
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Finally, a message will appear to inform you the successful installation. Click Finish to
complete the installation.
Command-line Installation
The Foxit Reader properties are:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
/COMPONENTS <list of features> The value of the /COMPONENTS property is a comma delimited
list of features which the installation of Foxit Reader will make
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available locally. Foxit Reader installer defines the following
features:
pdfviewer - Foxit PDF Viewer and its components.
ffaddin - Plugin which is used for opening PDF files in Mozilla
Firefox, Opera, Safari, and Chrome browsers. This feature
requires pdfviewer to be installed.
ffSpellCheck - Spell check tool which is used for searching any
misspelled words in typewriter or form filler mode and
suggesting the correct spellings. This feature requires pdfviewer
to be installed.
InstallPrint - Foxit Reader Creator installs a virtual printer on
your system. You can use Creator to convert any printable
documents into high-quality PDFs conveniently and efficiently.
This feature requires pdfviewer to be installed.
InstallPrint\WordAddin - MS word toolbar add-in to create PDFs
by just one click. This feature requires InstallPrint to be installed.
InstallPrint\ExcelAddin - MS Excel toolbar add-in to create PDFs
by just one click. This feature requires InstallPrint to be installed.
InstallPrint\PPTAddin - MS PPT toolbar add-in to create PDFs by
just one click. This feature requires InstallPrint to be installed.
ffse - Plugins for Windows Explorer and Windows shell. These
extensions allow viewing PDF thumbnails in Windows Explorer,
previewing PDF files in Windows 7 and Office 2007. This feature
requires pdfviewer feature to be installed.
ConnectedPDF - ConnectedPDF plugin which is used to create,
share, protect, and track ConnectedPDF documents.
/DIR Specifies the folder where products will be installed.
/TASKS <list of features> The value of the /TASKS property is a comma delimited list of
features which the installation of Foxit Reader will make available
locally. Foxit Reader installer defines the following features:
desktopicon - Installer will place a shortcut for the installed
application on Desktop.
startmenufolder - Installer will create program menu group for
installed application and its components.
Quicklaunchicon - Installer will place a shortcut for the installed
application on the Quick Launch Toolbar.
setDefaultReader - Foxit Reader will be set as the default PDF
reader.
DisplayInBrowser - Foxit Reader will be configured to open PDF
files inside browsers.
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setDefaultCreator - Installer will install Foxit Reader Creator and
set it as the system’s default printer.
/force Forces to install Foxit Reader.
/clean Removes all of Reader’s registry data and related files.
/DisableInternet Disables all features that require Internet connection.
/displayadobeindoc Opens embedded PDF files in Microsoft Office with Foxit Reader if
Acrobat and Foxit PhantomPDF is not installed.
CPDF_DISABLE Disables the ConnectedPDF features by setting the value to “1”.
READ_MODE Opens PDF file in Read Mode by default in web browsers by setting
the value to “1”.
DISABLE_UNINSTALL_SURVEY Stops the Uninstall Survey after uninstallation by setting the
value to “1”.
Command-line Examples:
1. Silently install the application (no user interaction) to folder "C:\Program Files\Foxit Software",
install ffse component and create desktop icon only:
"Foxit Reader" /COMPONENTS="ffse" /TASKS=" desktopicon" /DIR=” C:\Program Files\Foxit
Software” /verysilent
Updating Foxit Reader Add-ons
Foxit Reader and add-ons can be updated in several ways. Some updates are available if you open
a PDF document that triggers the updating process. Other updates are available only from the Help
tab, where you have to manually install them. However, all updates can be downloaded directly
from Foxit website.
Updating from the Help Tab
1. Choose Help > Check for Updates.
2. Select updates from the column on the left, and click Add to move them to the right column.
Or click Add All Add-ons to select all the available updates. Only the updates and components
appropriate for your product will be listed.
3. Click Next. Foxit Reader will download and install the update automatically. When finished,
click OK to exit Foxit Reader Updater.
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Use Foxit Updater
1. Choose File > Preferences > Updater.
2. Check the appropriate option according to your requirements.
Automatically install updates: the system will automatically download and replace the
original files in the installation folder when there is a new version.
Automatically download updates, but let me choose when to install them (recommended):
the system will automatically download and display a message informing you of the
upgrade and allowing you to choose to upgrade to the new version. This option is checked
by default.
Do not download or install updates automatically: never download or install updates
automatically.
3. Click OK.
Updating From Foxit Website
1. Click to visit https://www.foxitsoftware.com/products/addons.php.
2. Select and download the add-ons you want to update.
3. Extract them to the same directory where you install Foxit Reader.
4. Re-run the Foxit Reader program to implement the update files.
Note: You can save the customization and settings and apply them in the new version after
upgrading.
Uninstalling Foxit Reader
How to Uninstall?
Please do one of the following:
Click Start > All Programs > Foxit Reader > Uninstall Foxit Reader.
For Windows 8 and 10, click Start > Windows System > Control Panel > Programs > Programs
and Features > Select Foxit Reader and click Uninstall. For Windows 7, Click Start > Control
Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program, select Foxit Reader and click Uninstall/Change.
Double click the Uninstall shortcut under the Foxit Reader installation directory drive.
Note: A short survey window will pop up when Foxit Reader is uninstalled, in order to collect
suggestions for improvement.
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Online Help
You can get online help about how to read and work with PDF files from within Foxit Reader using
the Help Center and Content-sensitive Help features.
Help Center
Help Center helps you navigate top help topics and get help online. To access the Help Center,
please click Help > Help Center. In the Help Center, you can input a keyword in the Search box to
search for any desired topic. While reading the help contents, you can click to move back
to the previous view, or click to return to the Home Page of the Help Center.
Content-sensitive Help
Content-sensitive Help assists users by providing help based on a specific task they perform. This
enables users to get specific information about whatever feature of the application they are using
at the given moment.
To access Content-sensitive Help:
Hover your mouse over a button, and you will see the tip which gives you the basic instruction of
the feature. If Foxit Reader contains additional help about the feature, you can click Tell me more
to learn more about it in the Help Center.
Work Area
Work Area Overview
Foxit Reader opens in two different ways: on its own (as a standalone application) and in a web
browser. The associated work areas slightly differ.
The Foxit Reader work area includes a document pane that displays PDFs and a navigation pane
on the left side that helps you browse through the current PDF. Toolbars near the top and bottom
of the window provide other controls that you can use to work with PDFs, including toolbar pane,
tab bar and status bar.
The Work Area for PDFs Open in the Application
You can double-click the Foxit Reader icon on the desktop to start the program, and choose File >
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Open to open a PDF file from local disks or cloud services. For more information about the work
area, please refer to Toolbar and Commands.
The Work Area for PDFs Open in a Web Browser
You can open and view PDFs in web browser with Foxit Reader if you have set Foxit Reader as the
default PDF viewer.
Open a web browser application.
Select a PDF anywhere on the Internet and click the link.
The PDF will be opened by Foxit Reader directly in the web browser.
PDF Open in a Web Browser
A. Web browser application menu bar and buttons
B. Document pane
Tip: In a web browser, Foxit Reader will display PDFs in Read Mode by default, hiding the toolbars
to maximize the document pane. You can right click the document pane and uncheck Read Mode
to show the toolbars and work on PDFs as desired.
Toolbar and Commands
Toolbar Overview
Foxit has integrated the collective commands in the ribbon interface and created a new way of
working, namely Ribbon Mode. Ribbon Mode is developed based on Microsoft Office 2013 (Office
15) to provide you with a familiar and intuitive user experience. In this mode, commands are
arranged by groups and tasks. Below are some of the highlights of the new interface.
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B
C
D
E
F
Chapter 2: Getting Started User Manual
User Interface
A. Quick Access Toolbar B. Tab C. Group and Command D. Navigation Pane (Bookmark Panel
displayed) E. Status bar F. Document Pane
As shown above, Foxit Reader generally contains three toolbars, i.e. Quick Access Toolbar, Tab Bar
and Group and Command Bar.
Quick Access Toolbar: shows the basic commands, such as Open, Save, and Print. You can add
or replace the commands so as to ensure that the commonly used ones are close at hand.
Tab Bar: shows the major tabs of Foxit Reader, being classified as File, Home, Comment, View,
Form, Protect, Share, Connect, and Help.
Group and Command Bar: categorizes the commands by groups according to the function.
Search and Find Commands
You can type the command name in the Tell Me field to find a command and bring the feature to
your fingertips with ease. For example, if you want to highlight text in a PDF file, put your cursor in
the Tell Me box (or press Alt + Q) and input “highlight”. Then Foxit Reader will display a list of
matching commands from which you can select and activate the desired feature.
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Touch Mode
Touch mode makes it easier to use Foxit Reader on touch devices. In touch mode, the toolbar
buttons, commands, and panels are slightly shifted apart for easier selection with your fingers. To
switch to touch mode, please click on the Quick Access Toolbar, and choose Touch Mode.
While in touch mode, you can click and choose Mouse Mode to return to the mouse mode.
About Navigation Pane
The navigation pane, located next to the document pane, can display different navigation panels,
including Layer panel, Attachments panel, Pages panel, Comments panel, Bookmarks panel,
Security Settings panel, Articles panel, Digital Signatures panel, and ConnectedPDF panel. Please
note that the navigation pane is unavailable when Foxit is open but empty (no PDF is open).
The buttons on the left side of the navigation pane provides easy access to various panels, such as
the Bookmarks panel button , the Pages panel button , and the Layers panel . After
right-clicking the navigation pane, you can select and open more panels.
To show the navigation pane, choose View > Navigation Panels > Show Navigation Panels, or
use keyboard shortcut F4.
To open a navigation panel, you can either click its button on the left side of the navigation
pane, or choose View > Navigation Panels > [navigation panel name].
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To close the navigation pane, choose View > Navigation Panels > Hide Navigation Panels, or
use keyboard shortcut F4, or right click on title of the navigation panel and select Hide
Navigation Panels.
Tip: To show or hide the navigation pane, you can also click on the button at the top right
corner of the navigation pane.
Adjusting the Navigation Pane
The navigation panels can be docked in the navigation pane or they can float anywhere in the work
area of Foxit Reader. You can choose to hide or close the panels that you don't need and open the
ones you do. What’s more, you can also adjust the width of the navigation pane easily.
1. Viewing a Panel in the Navigation Pane
By default, all the panels dock in the navigation pane with a set of panel buttons appearing on the
left side of the work area.
Do one of the following:
Select the button for the panel on the left side of the navigation pane.
Choose View > Navigation Panels > [panel name].
2. Changing the Display Area for Navigation Pane
To change the view area of the navigation pane, drag its right border to adjust the width.
To minimize the navigation pane, click on the button at the top right corner of the
navigation pane.
To expand the navigation pane, click at its top right corner and the navigation pane will be
expanded to occupy the whole pane of Foxit Reader.
3. Docking or Floating a Navigation Panel
To float a navigation panel, drag the panel button into the document pane.
To move a panel, drag it by its panel button to another location.
To dock a floating panel, double-click its title bar.
To group two floating panels, drag the title bar of one panel into the other floating panel.
Setting the Skin
This feature offers five skins so that you could change the appearance of the software.
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To change the appearance of Foxit Reader, select File > Change Skin > choose the skin as desired.
Customizing the Work Area
As you get acquainted with Foxit Reader, you can set up your Reader work environment. The more
you learn about its potential, the more you can take advantage of its features, commands, and
options.
There is much more to the application than you see at first glance. Foxit Reader has hidden
commands and preferences that can enhance your experience and give you greater control over
how your work area is arranged and displayed.
Customizing Quick Access Toolbar
Quick Access Toolbar displays all your bookmarked commands. You can add commands that will
let you view and search content easily to your Quick Access Toolbar. This is another way for you to
arrange and manage all the commands.
To add a command to quick access toolbar, please follow the steps bellow:
Click on the Quick Access Toolbar, and select More Commands. Or right-click the ribbon
area and choose Quick Access Toolbar.
In the Customize Tools dialog box, choose the Customize Quick Access Toolbar tab.
Select the commands or separators you preferred to be shown on Quick Access Toolbar and
add them to the Quick Access Toolbar list. Click Up or Down to arrange the command order
and then click OK.
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To return toolbars to default configuration, please click on the Quick Access Toolbar, choose
More Commands and click Reset on the pop-up context or press Alt+F8.
Tips: You can also right-click a command in the ribbon and choose Add to Quick Access Toolbar to
add the command to Quick Access Toolbar.
Show Quick Access Toolbar below/above the Ribbon
To show Quick Access Toolbar below/above the ribbon area, do any of the following:
Click on Quick Access Toolbar, and select Show Below the Ribbon or Show Above the
Ribbon.
Right-click the ribbon area and choose Show Quick Access Toolbar Below the Ribbon or Show
Quick Access Toolbar Above the Ribbon.
Open the Customize Tools dialog box. In the Customize Quick Access Toolbar tab, select the
Show Quick Access Toolbar below the Ribbon option.
Working with the Ribbon
To collapse the Ribbon, click at the bottom-right corner of the Ribbon.
If you want to use a command after collapsing the Ribbon, you can click the tab and then
choose the desired command. The Ribbon will be collapsed, but the command will remain
selected.
If you want to keep the Ribbon visible after collapsing it, click a Ribbon tab to display the
Ribbon, then click at the bottom right corner of the Ribbon.
Customizing the Ribbon
The Ribbon is designed to help you find the commands in an easy and convenient way. From
Version 7.0 and on, Foxit Reader give you the capability to personalize and customize the Ribbon
in the way you want. With this feature, you can customize the default Ribbon, and create custom
tabs or groups with your preferred commands.
To customize the Ribbon, right click the Ribbon, choose Customize the Ribbon from the context
menu to bring out the Customize Tools dialog box, and then follow the steps below.
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Context Menu
Customize Tools Dialog Box
Create a new tab
To create a new tab, please do one of the following:
Select the tab which you want to add the new tab after, and then click New Tab.
(Alternatively) Right click the tab which you want to add the new tab after, and then choose
New Tab from the context menu.
Add a new group to a tab
To add a new group to a tab, please do one of the following:
Select the tab which you want to add the group to, and then click New Group.
(Alternatively) Right click the tab which you want to add the group to, and then choose New
Group from the context menu.
Rename a tab or group
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Select the tab or group that you want to rename, and then click Rename.
(Alternatively) Right click the tab or group to be renamed, and choose Rename from the
context menu.
In the Rename dialog box, input the new name and click OK.
Add commands to a group
Select the group which you want to add a command under.
Choose the category that the command is under and then the desired command from the
Choose command from list.
Click Add to add the selected command to the desired group.
Remove a tab, group or command
To remove a tab, group or command, please do one of the following:
Select the tab, group or command to be removed, and click Remove.
(Alternatively) Right click the tab, group, or command to be removed, and select Delete from
the context menu.
Reorder the tabs or groups
To reorder the tabs or groups, please do one of the following:
Select the tab or group you want to reorder, then click the Up or Down arrow
to move accordingly.
(Alternatively) Right click the tab or group you want to reorder, and then select Move Item
Up or Move Item Down to move accordingly.
Reset the Ribbon
Click Reset in the Customize Tools dialog box to reset the Ribbon to the default settings.
Import a customized Ribbon
Click Import.
In the Open dialog box, select the Ribbon customization file (.xml file), and click Open.
Note: After importing a Ribbon customization file, you will lose all the arrangements you
customized previously. If you want to revert to the previously customized Ribbon, it is
recommended to export the customized Ribbon before importing a new one.
Export a customized Ribbon
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Click Export.
In the Save As dialog box, specify the file name and path, and then click Save.
Note:
1. After customization, you need to click OK in the Customize Ribbon tab to save and apply your
changes to the Ribbon.
2. To help you distinguish a default tab or group from the customized selections, the custom tabs
or groups in the Customize the Ribbon list are tabbed with “(Custom)” after the name (like this:
), but without the word “(Custom)” on the Ribbon.
3. The commands in the default group under a default tab are displayed in grey, and they cannot
be renamed, reordered, or removed.
4. You cannot remove default tabs in Foxit Reader.
Customizing Shortcut Keys
People’s habits using the keyboard are different and the familiarity to the buttons on a keyboard
is distinct. The intellectualized Foxit Reader allows you to customize the shortcut keys for both
commands and subcommands on the Ribbon according to your habit, which enables you to use
the shortcuts more conveniently than before.
To customize shortcut keys, please follow the steps below:
Click on Quick Access Toolbar > select More Commands. In the pop-up Customize Tools
dialog box, select Keyboard tab.
Choose the command’s category in the Categories list and the action in the Command list.
Input the appropriate shortcut with your keyboard. Click Assign to apply the shortcut. If you
want to change the shortcut, just input the new one to replace it directly. The Reset All button
can recover the default setting.
Note: The shortcut keys that have already being used cannot be reassigned. A message under the
input tab will show you whether the shortcut key has been used by another command.
Setting Preferences & Viewing Properties
Setting Preferences
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Although Foxit Reader is customizable, some of the customizable features may be difficult to find.
After reading this section, you will find out how useful having your own preferences can be, and
how simple it is to set up your own preferences.
To set preferences in Foxit Reader, please choose File > Preferences.
Note: You can use the arrow keys or Tab key to switch between different preference settings.
Accessibility
Document Colors Options
Replace document colors: Check to activate other options to change the document colors.
A. Use Windows color scheme: Sets document colors according to the color scheme of
your Windows preferences.
B. Use High-Contrast colors: Choose the high-contrast color combination for page
background and document text to improve readability.
C. Custom color: Changes the color of Page Background and Document Text.
D. Only change the color of black text: Change only the black text and leave the colored
text unchanged when you replace document colors.
E. Change the color of text or black line art: Change the color of text or black line arts
when you replace document colors.
Override Page Display
A. Always use Page Layout Style: Set a page layout as default for all PDF documents and
override other page display settings.
B. Always use Zoom Setting: Specify a default zoom setting for all PDF documents and
override other page display settings.
Other Accessibility Options
A. Use document structure for tab order when no explicit tab order is specified: Improve the
navigation of form fields and links that don’t specify a tab order.
B. Always display the keyboard selection cursor: Specify whether to display the keyboard
selection cursor or not when reading a document. Please check this option if you are using
a screen magnifier.
C. Always use the system selection color: Override the default selection color (blue) with a
color that the system specified.
D. Show Portfolios in Files mode: Display PDF Portfolio component files and file details in a
list.
Commenting
Viewing Comments
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A. Pop-up opacity: Sets the opacity of pop-up notes for annotation commands.
B. Print notes and pop-ups: Specify whether or not to print sticky notes and pop-up notes
associated with comments in PDF as they appear on the page. Please note that if you
want to print the pop-up notes associated with comments, you should open the pop-up
notes that you want to print in the PDF file, and adjust their placement on the page before
printing to ensure that they don’t overlap or spill off the page. While printing, make sure
that you select the Document and markups option in Print What group in the Print dialog
box.
C. Ensure that pop-ups are visible as the document is scrolled: Ensure that the pop-up boxes
float along with the page as the document is scrolled. This option is checked by default.
Making Comments
A. Always use User Name of the log-in account for Author name: Use the user name of the
log-in account as the author name while making comments. If a user does not set the
user name for the Foxit log-in account, the prefix of the email address will be used as the
author name instead.
B. Copy selected text into Highlight, Squiggly Underline, Underline, and Strikeout comment
pop-ups: Check this option to copy and paste the selected text to comment pop-up notes
automatically when you highlight, squiggly underline, underline, or strikeout annotation
in PDF documents.
Pencil Setting:
A. Enable to select pencil annotation when drawing: When the Pencil command is selected,
the cursor changes into a pencil . If this option is selected, the pencil changes into
an arrow when you put it over a pencil annotation, and you can click the annotation
to select it. If the option is not selected, the pencil will not change into an arrow.
B. Click to create annotations: If selected, you start to draw with the pencil when you click
on the page, and in other words, only one click creates a pencil annotation; if not selected,
you do not start to draw until you click and drag the pencil.
C. Set Timeout: Specifies a period of time within which all of the drawings/plans completed
is one pencil annotation, after which what you draw is another pencil annotation.
Editing: Sets the text direction for text comments, including left to right and right to left.
ConnectedPDF (This tab is only available when the ConnectedPDF features are enabled)
Data Collection
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Allow usage data to be used in ConnectedPDF features: If this option is checked, the document
usage data will be shared with Foxit servers when you are using ConnectedPDF features. This data
will be used for development purposes and enhancing user experience only. You can click here to
learn about the privacy policy.
Use ConnectedPDF Format
1. Automatically save PDF files in ConnectedPDF format (including those created from plugins)
only when signed in: If you check this option and have signed into Foxit Account, Foxit Reader
will automatically convert the files into ConnectedPDF format when creating or saving PDF files.
2. Automatically convert Office files to Connected when converting to PDF via Office add-in: If
this option is checked, after converting the Office document to ConnectedPDF format, the
Office document will become connected, and you will then be able to view the document
homepage of the converted ConnectedPDF by clicking the Document Homepage button under
the FOXIT READER PDF tab in Microsoft Office.
How to show web pages
When using ConnectedPDF, Foxit Reader will display ConnectedPDF-related information (such as
the Document Homepage and Personal Homepage) in web pages. You can choose to display the
web pages in the tabs within the application, or in your default browser.
Default Permissions
Users can configure the default settings for whether to allow or disallow users of ConnectedPDF
documents to register new versions or start Connected Reviews on ConnectedPDF documents they
create.
Create PDF
Create PDF feature allows users to set the Page Size of PDF to be created.
A. Fixed size: Sets the size and direction of PDF through drop-down list.
B. Custom: Customizes the Page Size of PDF to be created. You can select the units first and then
set the width and height of page as needed.
C. Allow pop up alert when creating PDF: Check this option to show message when converting
PDFs in Microsoft Office by the Foxit Reader PDF add-in.
Documents
The Document of the Preferences dialog provides several ways to browse PDF documents.
Open Settings
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