If you are having problems downloading a resource, please see the advice for the specific file type:
- Adobe PDF (.pdf)
- Word (.doc, .docx)
- Audio (.mp3)
- Ebook (.mobi, .epub)
- Further help
Adobe PDF files
To read PDF files you need to have Adobe Reader installed on your PC.
This can be downloaded from Adobe.
In Internet Explorer (or Edge in Windows 10), if you left click the file name, the PDF file will be loaded into your browser. If the file is large, this may take some time. It may also cause your browser to stop working or report a problem. In which case, please save the file as below.
Saving a PDF file
It is often more reliable to save the file to your PC first and then open it once it has been downloaded. In Internet Explorer (or Edge in Windows 10), you can save the file to your PC by right-clicking on the file name, then choosing ‘Save Target As…’ from the pop-up menu.
Word files
In Internet Explorer, if you left-click the file name, you will be prompted to open or save the document. It is often more reliable (and the formatting is more likely to be preserved) to save the file to your PC first and then open it once it has been downloaded. In Internet Explorer (or Edge in Windows 10) you can save the file to your PC by right-clicking on the file name, then choosing ‘Save Target As…’ from the pop-up menu.
If you download the file before opening it, it will open in ‘protected view’ (there will be a yellow warning bar at the top of the document). You need to click on the button within that bar that says ‘enable editing’.
When you open the Word document you may be asked if you want to open it as ‘Read Only’. Choose ‘Yes’ to open it as a document that can’t be changed (so there is no risk of changing it accidentally) or ‘No’ to open it as a normal Word document which you can edit.
To ensure the document formatting looks correct, make sure you are viewing it in Print Layout mode (choose View / Print Layout from the top menu).
Problem with blank (black images)
If images are appearing blank (black) please try saving the file as a .docx file and re-opening. If this does not solve the problem please email us (see below) stating the version of Word you are using.
Removing unwanted graphics
Some documents may contain graphics within the header and footer or a ‘watermark’ within the document background to provide background colour or texture for the document. You may want to remove these when printing to reduce ink consumption.
HEADER/FOOTER
Word 2003: View | Header and Footer. Click on the graphic and delete
Word 2007 and newer: Insert Header (or Footer) | Edit Header or Remove Header
WATERMARK / BACKGROUND
Word 2003: Format | Background | Printed watermark. Select ‘No Watermark’ and click Apply
Word 2007 and newer: Page Layout | Watermark | Remove Watermark or Page Layout | Page Color | No Color
MP3 audio
These are often large files, so it is usually more reliable to save them to your PC first. In Internet Explorer (or Edge in Windows 10), you can save the file to your PC by right-clicking on the file name, then choosing ‘Save Target As…’ from the pop-up menu.
Ebooks
These are also often large files, so it is usually more reliable to save them to your PC first. In Internet Explorer (or Edge in Windows 10), you can save the file to your PC by right-clicking on the file name, then choosing ‘Save Target As…’ from the pop-up menu.
.mobi files are Kindle format and can be used on Kindle ebook devices and on Apple and Android tablets and phones, and PCs and Apple Macs, by installing the free Kindle reader app or software. .epub files can be read using iBooks on Apple iPads, iPhones and Macs, and also using some other ebook devices such as from Sony.
You may need to look up how your device handles .mobi files – for instance, to read a .mobi in the Kindle app on Android you need to first move it from where it was downloaded to the Kindle folder.
Further help
If you are still having problems, please email the Web Manager.
