Foxit Reader 8.1 adds Box integration, improves annotation features

Foxit Software has released Foxit Reader 8.1, a point update of its Windows PDF viewer and creator. Version 8.1 widens the app’s cloud integration with two new services, including an extension of Foxit’s recently launched ConnectedPDF online document management tool.

Elsewhere, the new release also improves annotation workflow and collaboration, plus adds JavaScript form submission support.

Foxit Reader 8.1 opens with two new cloud integration services. Users can now access PDFs stored in their Box cloud accounts directly through the Open menu. The service joins OneDrive, Google Drive and Dropbox -- support for the latter being added in version 8.0 on its release in June.

The Open menu also adds another option -- Foxit Archive -- which is an extension to Foxit’s ConnectedPDF document management service. At present the feature is invitation-only, and gives users the ability to check ConnectedPDF documents in and out for editing in a collaborative environment.

The new release also promises annotating enhancements in the form of an improved workflow for all annotation tools. Users can now also change the status of annotations made by other users during a review process.

Elsewhere, Foxit Reader 8.1 adds support for JavaScript form submission actions and makes it possible for ConnectedPDF document owners to control others’ ability to start Connected Reviews or create new document versions.

The update is rounded off with a number of security and stability fixes. Foxit Reader 8.1 is available now as a freeware download for PCs running Windows 7 or later. Some PDF creation features also require Microsoft Office 2007 or later.