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Myths and Paths Forward

The Myth of “Unchangeable” PDFs

Many instructors turn to PDFs because they feel “locked down.” The assumption is that once something is saved as a PDF, nobody can alter it. The reality is different.

Because the University of Michigan licenses Adobe Creative Cloud for all faculty, staff, and students, anyone can open a PDF in Adobe Acrobat and make changes. That means PDFs aren’t the secure, unalterable files many imagine. Students with access to these tools can edit text, change images, or even re-export the document, all without leaving the PDF format. In fact, PDFs can also be exported directly back into Word documents, where content can be edited and republished just as easily. Even without Adobe, Microsoft Word itself can open and edit PDF files, making alterations straightforward for anyone with access to Word. Similarly, password protected PDFs can be edited by opening the PDF in any browser and using the “Print to PDF” function to save a copy.

So while PDFs may look permanent, they’re actually editable with tools we’ve already put into the hands of the entire campus community.

A Better Way Forward

If the goal is to share materials in a format that’s easy to read but not easy to alter, cloud-based options are a stronger choice. Both Google Workspace and Office 365 let you:

  • Share files as read-only, preventing edits while keeping the content accessible.
  • Retain full control over access. Instructors can decide whether others can view, comment, or edit, and they can revoke access at any time.
  • Keep content current without version confusion. Instead of re-uploading new files, you simply update the document and the same link always delivers the latest version.
  • When appropriate in your academic courses, post content directly as a Canvas page. This removes the need for students to open or download separate files and makes the material easier to navigate with built-in accessibility tools.

With cloud-based documents, instructors get the peace of mind that their content can’t be quietly altered, while students get materials that are flexible, accessible, and always up to date. It’s a win on both sides.