Microsoft Edge's PDF Viewer gets side-by-side viewing option

[harlan4096]

Most modern web browsers include functionality to display PDF documents; this is a handy feature as it ensures that PDF files can be viewed without the need to use third-party applications or online service.

While I prefer to use a dedicated PDF viewer, Sumatra for all basic PDF documents, it is clear that many Internet users use the browser's PDF viewer when it comes to these documents.

Microsoft's Chromium-based web browser is no exception to the rule. The classic version of Edge supported native PDF reading, and the new Edge does so as well.

Users of the canary version of Microsoft Edge may enable a feature currently that extends the functionality of the PDF Viewer of the browser. Currently, it is only possible to view one sheet at a time and scroll down to flip pages. With the new feature enabled, two PDF sheets are displayed side by side in the browser, and that is extremely useful on widescreen displays as it puts more content on the screen at the same time.

The side by side view is not Edge exclusive, as it is a Chromium feature and already part of Google Chrome. Still, Microsoft Edge users who use the web browser to view PDF documents may find the feature useful.

Here is what needs to be done to enable it in Edge Canary (note that it will land in Beta and Stable builds of Edge eventually, and there likely without the experimental flag):

1. Load edge://flags/#edge-pdf-two-page-view in the browser's address bar.
   
2. Flip the experimental flag to Enabled. It is only available on Mac and Windows systems.
   
3. Restart Microsoft Edge to apply the change.
   

Once enabled, click on the "Page View" icon in the main toolbar when a PDF is loaded in the tab. There you find options to switch between single page and two page layouts. You may also make the cover page display separately regardless of choice that you make here.

The change is instant, and you should see two pages of the PDF next to each other. Apart from improving readability, it may also be useful to users who use annotation and PDF editing tools in the web browser.

Now You: do you read PDF documents in a browser, in third-party apps, or by using online services?
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