Which file format is commonly used to share documents and preserve layout across platforms?

• A. HTML
• B. PDF
• C. RTF
• D. CSV

Answer: (B)

Ensuring documents look the same on any device hinges on using a fixed-layout format that preserves the appearance of text, fonts, and graphics. The PDF format is designed to capture a document’s exact appearance, embedding fonts and images so margins, spacing, and styling render the same way across different operating systems and applications. That reliability makes it ideal for sharing documents like reports, contracts, and manuals where the layout matters.

Other formats don’t guarantee the same consistent layout across platforms. HTML is rendered by web browsers and can vary between browsers or devices, leading to layout differences. RTF preserves basic formatting but can shift when opened in different word processors. CSV is plain data with no layout or formatting, so it cannot maintain visual structure.