When PDF goes BAD: the UX of PDF

B = before
A = after
D = during

Before you get the PDF doc
Content not identified clearly
Poor link text
Format and size not identified
Some surprises aren’t welcome
Mobile users and data costs
No ‘gateway’ page
What’s in it? Do I really want it?
Problems with social media linking
Don’t want a (large) PDF, but there’s no other option
Sometimes turns users off

After you’re done with the PDF doc
Closing PDF accidentally closes browser
Felt it wasn’t worth the effort
Trawling a large doc for a small piece of info
Downloading a huge file
Couldn’t see the point of it being a PDF
Simple web page would have been better
Thought you were being lazy

During use of the PDF doc
Downloading problems
Navigation problems
Design problems
Restrictions on use

Downloading problems
File bigger than anticipated
Can’t stop the download to back out
Slow to open
Interrupts ‘flow’
Craaaaaaaaaaash!
Can’t get the information

Navigation problems (1)
Table of contents not linked
Most users don’t know keyboard shortcuts, so lots of scrolling
No bookmarks
If no TOC, then no easy way to navigate a long PDF
Bookmarks, but not shown by default
Surprising number of users don’t know how to use PDF UI

Words (or TOC) are links, but don’t look like links
Accidental clicks, accidental exits
Users want to use TOC, but some don’t realise they can
Links aren’t active
URLs users would have to copy and paste

Page number references in text that cause chaos
Multi-part document and page is in another file (which user may not have downloaded)
Mismatch between numbers in doc and numbers in PDF
Docs with different section numbering
Multi-part documents

Design problems (1)
Large images
Longer downloads
More scrolling!
Wasted paper/ink if printed

Design problems (1)
Spreads or landscape layout
Horizontal and vertical scrolling
Easy to miss some of the content
Multi-column layout
Scroll back up or keep going down?
Move from bottom right to top left?

Restrictions
Restricted printing
Can be frustrating, especially if long and hard to read on screen
Restricted copying text/images
May be legitimate reasons for use
Your copyright/IP is protected by law
Determined users can get around this

Accessibility problems
Neil discussed these
Poorly designed source documents
Headings, tables, lists, text alts for images, contrast, colour
Text boxes
Assistive technology limitations
Users’ skills

How to use PDF for good, not BAD!

Appropriate use
Use PDF online when
Distributing a resource that is intended for print or further distribution
Offering a print or downloadable version of web content
Avoid PDF when
Users will need to interact with content online
When you’re tempted to use it because it’s easier or faster to publish

PDF use in ‘grey areas’ (1)
We live in the real world, so there will be ‘grey areas’
Not sure if someone will need to interact online with your PDF?
Can’t get resources to make web version of content?
Publishing PDF as the only version of content?

PDF use in ‘grey areas’ (2)
Design and tag for accessibility
Neil discussed key techniques
Comply with policy on use of PDF
Monitor AGIMO activity, Australian Human Rights Commission
Design to avoid a BAD user experience …

Inform users (1)
Write meaningful link text
Avoid ‘click here’, ‘download this file’
Include a document title
Shows in search results, affects ranking
Set window to show title rather than file name

Inform users (2)
Include a PDF warning in the link
Don’t use an unusual PDF icon
Text can be enlarged
Include the file size warning in the link
Set link to open in a new window

Eliminate PDF ‘shock’
Create a ‘gateway’ page
Provide a summary or description of the content in the PDF along with the link
Direct links and search engines to this page, not the PDF document
Break large files into a set of smaller ones
Label each clearly and provide a summary or description if needed
Offer a single-file download as well

Support navigation (1)
Make links active and obvious
URLs should be links
Text that is linked should look like a link

Provide navigation through a longer document
Table of contents as active links or use bookmarks
Set initial view to show ‘Bookmarks Panel and Page’

Consider alternatives to page number references
Use chapter or section names
Otherwise check page references and numbering in PDF and change if needed

Open pages panel
Select pages
Right click and open ‘Number Pages’

Design for on-screen use (1)
Avoid large images
Especially when decorative
Except maps, diagrams and so on
Or set initial view to ‘Pages Panel and Page’

Design for on-screen use (2)
Avoid spread layouts
Avoid multi-column layouts
Avoid content sections that flow to a second column or page
If using horizontal layout, set initial view to ‘Fit Page’ magnification

Rely on legal protections
Don’t lock up a PDF
Allow copying
Allow printing
Don’t publish it online if you don’t want anyone to use it!

No more BAD PDF = no more sad, mad users. Only glad ones!

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When PDF goes BAD: the UX of PDF

by 4 Syllables on Apr 15, 2011

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When PDF goes BAD: the UX of PDF Presentation Transcript