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Writing-Related Software Tutorials

How to Create PDF Portfolios in Adobe Acrobat (Updated Interface)

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This tutorial shows how to create and customize PDF Portfolios in Adobe Acrobat using the updated interface on PC and Mac.

We will also look at the best way to add web content to PDF Portfolios.

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

Table of Contents:

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What Is a PDF Portfolio?

A PDF Portfolio is a container that groups multiple files under one file name. Each file added to the portfolio maintains its original file type (e.g., image, Microsoft Word doc, Excel spreadsheet). The files won’t be converted into PDFs as they would be when combining files in Adobe Acrobat.

You can’t create portfolios with Adobe’s free PDF display software, Acrobat Reader. However, you can view portfolios with Reader.

How to Create PDF Portfolios

  1. Select Menu (PC) or File (Mac).
  2. Select Create from the drop-down menu.
  3. Select PDF portfolio from the submenu.
PDF portfolio option in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 1. PDF portfolio option
  1. Select Add files in the Create PDF Portfolio dialog box.
  2. Select the type of file you want to add to your portfolio:
    • Add Files—Add nearly any file stored on your computer or connected storage.
    • Add Folders—Add all the files in a folder (but not the folder itself).
    • Add PDF from Scanner—Select your scanner and then add the resulting scan.
    • Add Webpage—(Not Recommended) Enter the URL for an individual webpage that is then converted to a PDF, which often looks different than the original and can make your portfolio too large.

To create a link to open the webpage in a browser, add the URL after creating the portfolio, as shown in How to Add Web Content, below.

    • Add from Clipboard—Add the current contents of your clipboard.
Add Files menu in the Create PDF Portfolio dialog box in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 2. Add files menu
Pro Tip: Adobe recommends limiting PDF portfolios to less than 16 individual files totaling less than 50 megabytes. Larger portfolios may present performance issues.
  1. After adding the files, drag them to the order you want them to appear in the portfolio.
  2. Select the Create button.
Create button in the Create PDF Portfolio dialog box in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 3. Create button

A file named Portfolio1.pdf will appear.

Pro Tip: Rename the portfolio by selecting Menu > Save (PC) or File > Save (Mac) as you would a regular PDF.

All the files will appear in the portfolio window.

  1. Press the Up or Down arrows on your keyboard to view the files sequentially. Or, view specific files by selecting them in the portfolio window.
Portfolio window in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 4. Portfolio window
  1. (PC Only) Select the Preview

Important Note: At the time of this writing, the Preview function does not work. However, you must still select this option to move to the next step.

Portfolio Preview button in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 5. Preview button
  1. Select Open to open a file in its native application. (For example, a Microsoft Word document will open in Microsoft Word.)
Open file button in a portfolio in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 6. Open button
  1. Select the OK button in the dialog box asking if you are sure you want to open the file. (Only select the OK button if you are sure you want to open the file, of course.)
OK button in the Open File dialog box in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 7. OK Button

The file should open in its native application.

How to Customize PDF Portfolios

After creating your PDF Portfolio, use the buttons in the toolbar to (A) add files, (B) create a folder, (C) extract files, (D) delete files, or (E) open files.

Portfolio toolbar in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 8. Portfolio toolbar

Pro Tip: Reorder the files by dragging them up or down in the portfolio window.

How to Add Web Content to PDF Portfolios

This section shows how to add a link to web content, rather than converting the web content to a PDF, as is done in step 5 of the section above.

  1. Right-click (PC) or Control-click (Mac) in the portfolio window and then select Add Web Content from the shortcut menu.
Add Web Content option in Adobe Acrobat Portfolio Window
Figure 9. Add Web Content option
  1. Enter a file name, optional description, and the URL or embedded tag into the Add Web Content dialog box.
  2. Select the OK button.
Add Web Content dialog box in Adobe Acrobat
Figure 10. Add Web Content dialog box
  1. To open the link, select it in the portfolio window and then select Open File in the toolbar (see E in figure 8).

Related Resources

How to Split PDFs in Adobe Acrobat (Updated Interface)

How to Add Attachments to PDFs in Adobe Acrobat (Updated Interface)