In some instances it is easier to create web files in a format other than HTML. However, there are drawbacks to doing so. For example, when using Adobe’s Portable Document Format (PDF), (a) the contents of PDF files may not be included in site-wide full-text search indexes, (b) PDF viewers are not embedded in most Web browsers and (c) PDF viewers require more powerful hardware for on-line viewing than a Web browser alone.

To make information readily available to as wide an audience as possible, the choice of file formats used should be based on the following considerations: (a) the intended use of the material by the target audience; (b) the accessibility of the format to the target audience and (c) the level of effort required to convert the material to the format.

Standards

1.    Material intended to be viewed, read, or browsed on-line should be prepared in HTML format (for text and tables) and GIF or JPEG for graphics.

2.   Proprietary formats, i.e., WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, SAS, Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF), may be used only if:

A.       Conversion to HTML is not feasible or practical (contact your designated IHS Web Team member for approval)

B.         The intended audience is known to have ready access to software which can handle the proprietary format; or

C.        The intended use is data analysis or manipulation.

3.    Links to files in proprietary or unusual formats will be explicitly noted and instructions provided for using and/or downloading the appropriate helper application, such as the Microsoft Word viewer, Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Guidelines

None