Erin Wright Writing

Writing-Related Software Tutorials

How to Switch to Full Screen Mode in Adobe Acrobat and Acrobat Reader (Updated Interface)

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This tutorial explains how to switch to full screen mode in Adobe Acrobat and Acrobat Reader on PC and Mac using the updated interface.

If you are using an older version of Acrobat or Reader, please see my previous tutorial about this topic.

All the steps listed here are demonstrated in real-time on my YouTube channel:

Full screen mode shows PDFs without the user interface, so it is convenient for giving presentations or reading without interference.

We are also going to open a PDF directly in full screen mode at a specific page number (Adobe Acrobat only). Lastly, we are going to change the background color for full screen mode (Adobe Acrobat only).

Table of Contents

How to Switch to Full Screen Mode (Adobe Acrobat and Acrobat Reader)

  1. Select the Menu hamburger menu (PC) or the View menu (Mac).
  2. (PC only) Select View from the drop-down menu.
  3. Select Full Screen Mode from the submenu.
Pro Tip: The keyboard shortcut for Full Screen Mode is Ctrl + L (PC) or Command + L (Mac).

Your PDF should open in full screen mode immediately.

You can use your mouse, trackpad, or the arrow keys on your keyboard to navigate through the pages.

Here are some additional keyboard shortcuts:

  • Zoom In: Ctrl + = (PC) Command + = (Mac)
  • Zoom Out: Ctrl + – (PC) Command + – (Mac)
  • Exit Full Screen Mode: Esc or Ctrl + L (PC) or Command + L (Mac)

How to Open PDFs Directly in Full Screen Mode (Adobe Acrobat)

You can open a PDF directly in full screen mode at a specific page.

  1. Select the Menu hamburger menu (PC) or the File menu (Mac).
  2. Select Document Properties from the drop-down menu.
  3. Select the Initial View tab in the Document Properties dialog box.
  4. (Optional) Enter the page number you want to start with in the Open to page text box. (The default is to open to the first page.)
  5. Select the Open in Full Screen mode option.
  6. Select the OK button.
  7. Save and reopen the PDF.
  8. When the PDF reopens, select Remember my choice for this document in the Full Screen alert box.
  9. Select the Yes button.

The PDF should open in Full Screen mode.

When you reopen the PDF later, it should open directly in full screen mode without showing the alert box.

How to Change the Background Color for Full Screen Mode (Adobe Acrobat)

  1. Select the Menu hamburger menu (PC) or the Acrobat menu (Mac).
  2. Select Preferences from the drop-down menu.
  3. Select the Full Screen category in the Preferences dialog box.
  4. Select the Background color menu.
  5. Choose a new color from the drop-down menu.
Pro Tip: Explore the additional full screen options available on this screen including which monitor to use and cursor visibility.
  1. Select the OK button.

When you open a PDF in full screen mode, your new background color should appear along with any other customizations you have chosen in the Preferences dialog box.

Related Resources

How to Listen to PDFs Being Read in Adobe Acrobat and Acrobat Reader (PC & Mac)

How to Switch to Dark Mode in Adobe Acrobat and Acrobat Reader (Updated Interface)