When I follow instructions for downloading a pdf on Joomla, I just end up with an image of the document and cannot access the document itself. It seems as if I can only get pictures but not documents.
Unfortunately, I'm not quite sure that you're referring to. Could you provide us with a link to what you are seeing?
It is also possible that your browser itself if handling the PDF in which it is opening the PDF, but your browser is handling the file to read it directly there.
It is also possible that your browser itself if handling the PDF in which it is opening the PDF, but your browser is handling the file to read it directly there.