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We are often asked if content can be published in PDF format, as this is a popular way of sharing documents.
The recommended format for web content is as an HTML publication. This is a time-stamped publication that opens in a web browser.
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Content must be accessible for users
The reason we prefer HTML to PDF is that HTML documents are more accessible for users.
It is important that users are able to quickly and effectively find information using desktop, mobile and tablet devices.
We have a commitment to make our service accessible for anyone who needs it.
Why HTML is our preferred format
HTML documents are more accessible for users because:
- HTML documents are easier to read online
- HTML documents are easier for users to locate in the search engines
- HTML pages can be easily located on mobile devices
- we need to comply with 'open standards' - we need to make sure we do not discriminate against people with disabilities
- for example, content must be accessible by someone who has a visual impairment
Drawbacks of using PDFs
While PDFs are a useful document type for sharing internally, we do not use PDFs to share information on the web because:
- PDFs cannot be easily discovered by users through the search engines
- PDFs are not mobile-friendly, so they are more difficult to access
- it is easier to keep an HTML document accurate and up to date
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