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Writing-Related Software Tutorials

How to Add Page Transitions in Adobe Acrobat (PC & Mac)

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Abstract transition with text overlay "How to Use Page Transitions in Adobe Acrobat"This tutorial shows how to add page transitions in Adobe Acrobat. Page transitions are visual effects that appear between pages when a PDF is viewed in Full Screen mode.

First, we will look at how to add transitions to the entire PDF or consecutive pages within the PDF. Then, we will look at how to add transitions to nonconsecutive pages within the PDF. Finally, we will look at how to view page transitions in Full Screen mode.

Table of Contents:

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The images below are from Adobe Acrobat Pro DC. These steps also apply to Adobe Acrobat 2020 and Adobe Acrobat 2017. In addition, the steps are the same for PC and Mac.

These steps don’t apply to Adobe’s free PDF display software, Acrobat Reader. However, transitions added with Adobe Acrobat can be viewed with Acrobat Reader.

How to Add Page Transitions to an Entire PDF or Consecutive Pages within a PDF

  1. Select the Tools tab.
Tools tab in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 1. Tools tab
  1. Select Organize Pages in the Tools Center.
Organize Pages button in the Tools Center in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 2. Organize Pages button
  1. Select More in the Organize Pages toolbar.
More button in the Organize Pages toolbar in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 3. More button
  1. Select Page Transitions in the drop-down menu.
Page Transitions option in the More menu in the Organize Pages toolbar in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 4. Page Transitions option
  1. Select an effect from the Transition menu in the Page Transitions dialog box.

The options are No Transition, Blinds, Box, Comb, Cover, Dissolve, Fade, Glitter, Push, Random, Replace, Split, Uncover, Wipe, Zoom In, and Zoom Out.

Transition menu in the Page Transition dialog box in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 5. Transition menu
  1. Select a direction from the Direction menu. (The direction options vary by transition. Some transitions don’t have direction options.)
Direction menu in the Page Transitions dialog box
Figure 6. Direction menu
  1. Select Fast, Medium, or Slow from the Speed menu.
Speed menu in the Page Transitions dialog box in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 7. Speed menu
  1. (Optional) If you want the pages to turn automatically while in Full Screen mode, select Auto Flip and then enter the number of seconds each page should be visible before turning to the next page.
Auto Flip option in the Page Transitions dialog box in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 8. Auto Flip option
  1. (Optional) Select Page range and then enter a range into the From and To text boxes. (The default is All pages in document.)
Page range text boxes in the Page Transitions dialog box in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 9. Page range option and text boxes
  1. Select the OK button.
Figure 10. OK button in the Page Transitions dialog box in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 10. OK button
  1. Select Close in the Organize Pages toolbar.
Close button in the Organize Pages toolbar in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 11. Close button

How to Add Page Transitions to Nonconsecutive Pages within a PDF

  1. Select the Tools tab (see figure 1).
  2. Select Organize Pages in the Tools Center (see figure 2).
  3. Select the page or pages to which you want to add a transition using either of the following methods:
Page Range menu in the Organize Pages toolbar in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 12. Page range menu
    • Select page thumbnails.
      • To select multiple pages, select the first one and then press and hold the Shift key as you select the last one.
      • To select nonconsecutive pages, select the first page and then press and hold the Ctrl key on a PC or Command key on a Mac as you select additional pages.
      • Click and drag your mouse to select multiple pages at once.
      • PC users can select Enable multiple page selection to select multiple consecutive or nonconsecutive pages without using the Shift or Ctrl key.
Selected thumbnails in the Organize Pages screen in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 13. Selected thumbnails and Enable multiple page selection option
  1. Right-click (PC) or Control-click (Mac) the selection and then select Page Transitions from the shortcut menu.
Page Transitions option in the Organize Pages screen shortcut menu in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 14. Page Transitions option
  1. Select an effect from the Transition menu in the Page Transitions dialog box (see figure 5).
  2. Select a direction from the Direction menu (see figure 6). (Some of the transitions don’t have direction options.)
  3. Select Fast, Medium, or Slow from the Speed menu (see figure 7).
  4. (Optional) Select Auto Flip to turn automatically while in Full Screen mode and then enter the number of seconds each page should be visible before turning to the next page (see figure 8).
  5. Select the OK button (see figure 10).
  6. Select Close in the Organize Pages toolbar (see figure 11).

How to View Page Transitions in Full Screen Mode

  1. Close any open toolbars (see figure 11).
  2. Select the View menu.
View menu in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 15. View menu
  1. Select Full Screen Mode from the drop-down menu.
Full Screen Mode option in the View menu in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 16. Full Screen Mode option

Your PDF should open in Full Screen mode immediately.

If you chose Auto Flip in the Page Transitions dialog box (see figure 8), the pages will turn with the transitions automatically.

Otherwise, your transitions should appear as you use your mouse, trackpad, or arrow keys on your keyboard to navigate through the pages.

For a complete tutorial on Full Screen mode with additional keyboard shortcuts, please see “How to Use Full Screen Mode in Adobe Acrobat and Acrobat Reader (PC & Mac).”

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