If you’re curious about when PDF was created, you’re not alone. The Portable Document Format (PDF) is one of the most widely used file types in the world today, but its history is just as fascinating as its functionality.

When Was the PDF Created?

The PDF format was officially introduced by Adobe Systems in 1993. The goal was to create a universal file format that would preserve a document's layout, fonts, and graphics, regardless of the device or software used to view it.

Why Was PDF Created?

Before PDFs, sharing documents digitally was a major challenge. Files often looked different depending on the printer, software, or operating system. Adobe's PDF solved that problem by offering a format that:

  • Maintained consistent formatting across all platforms

  • Embedded fonts and images directly in the file

  • Could be viewed and printed exactly as intended

Key Milestones in PDF History

  • 1993 – PDF 1.0 released with Adobe Acrobat 1.0

  • 2001 – PDF becomes a widely accepted format for document archiving

  • 2008 – PDF is released as an open standard by ISO (ISO 32000-1)

  • Today – PDF is supported by virtually all devices and platforms

How PDF Has Evolved

Modern PDFs can now include:

  • Interactive forms

  • Multimedia (audio/video)

  • Digital signatures

  • Encryption and password protection

  • Accessibility features

Smarter PDFs with PortableDocs

PDFs have come a long way since 1993—and with PortableDocs, you can do even more:

  • Chat with your PDF to find answers fast

  • Summarize documents to save time

  • Convert, compress, merge, and more using our free PDF tools—all mobile-friendly and AI-powered

Conclusion

So, when was PDF created? In 1993, Adobe launched the format to revolutionize how we share and preserve documents. Over 30 years later, PDFs remain a gold standard—and thanks to tools like PortableDocs, they’re smarter and more accessible than ever.