Accessing PDFs - for students

If content opens in the Student Reader after you click on a content link, please go to this article. 

A DCS content link takes the form https://contentstore.cla.co.uk/secure/link?id=[ID numbers and letters]. You will typically find it on your reading list, VLE (e.g. Moodle, Canvas, Blackboard) or your lecturer may be sending it to you using an alternative method. When you click this link, a PDF will be downloaded in your browser. Below we have included examples of what this looks like when using one of the major browser available. 

• Chrome
• Firefox
• Internet Explorer 
• Safari

The time it takes for the PDFs to download depend on the stability and bandwidth of your Internet connection and the size of the PDF. Please do not refresh the page after clicking on the link, as this may cause your browser to attempt doing several downloads. If the content doesn't download at all, first try a different browser and then contact your lecturer or library. 

Note: In the examples below we are using demo links, which is why the URLs take the form demo-dcs.cla.co.uk and not contentstore.cla.co.uk as mentioned in the above example. 

Chrome

If using Chrome, you will see the download in the bottom left corner of your screen. Click to open the PDF:

If you can't see this, or accidentally close it, go to your file explorer and check your Downloads folder, where most people have documents download to (Windows/Mac). 

Firefox

If using Firefox, you will see a popup where you can choose to save or open the PDF. Click the 'Open with' dropdown to select how to open the PDF (e.g. in an alternative browser, adobe or similar). 

If you can't see this, or accidentally close it, go to your file explorer and check your Downloads folder, where most people have documents download to (Windows/Mac). 

Internet Explorer 

If using Internet Explorer, you will see a pop-up along the bottom of your screen, allowing you to open or save the PDF. 

If you can't see this, or accidentally close it, go to your file explorer and check your Downloads folder, where most people have documents download to (Windows/Mac).  

Safari

If using Safari, you will first be taken to the page where you can view your extract. 

Once you have your extract open, click 'File' and then 'Export as PDF...' to download the extract.