Let PDFs read out to you: The best tools
In this practical tip, we explain which tools you can use to have PDFs read to you on your PC.
Have Acrobat Reader read PDFs
In the newer versions of the Acrobat Reader you can simply have your PDF read to you. By default, however, this is usually read in English. To activate a German voice output, proceed as follows:
- Download the latest Microsoft Reader from this link. Select "German" as the language pack in the upper area.
- After you have installed the Microsoft Reader and the German language pack, open your PDF file.
- Click "Edit"> "Preferences"> "Read" in the menu bar at the top.
- If necessary, remove the checkmark in front of "Use standard voice" and choose one of the installed voices. Make sure that the selected voice is the German voice output.
- In the menu bar of the PDF file, select "Display"> "Speech output"> "Activate speech output". Your PDF will now be read out. You can choose to read the entire document or just one page.
Read out PDFs with Foxit Reader
Foxit Reader is a free tool that you can also use to read PDFs. The program can be used for 30 days. In addition, the software has other useful PDF functions.
- Download the Foxit Reader to your PC for free.
- Make sure that you select the German language pack when downloading.
- You can open your PDF document directly with the tool. Under "View"> "Read aloud" you select whether only one page or the entire document should be read aloud.
- The program also includes other practical functions such as inserting text fields and joining individual PDF pages.
Have the PDFs read aloud with the MWS Reader
If you want to have a reading program cost something, you should take a look at the MWS Reader software. Here, read documents can even be saved as WAV or MP3 files. The price is currently 30.00 euros. The 14-day demo version is ideal for testing.
