PDF files are indispensable for their portability.
Most of us use PDFs for school, work or leisurely reading. Nowadays, free PDFs are widely available, and you can download them from multiple websites. They’re also easy to share.
Their one downside? They’re non-editable. Users can copy or print the content from the PDF but can’t edit it. Its non-editable nature makes it secure.
Is there a way around the non-editability of PDFs? Yes, there is! This article will tell you how to write on a PDF for Mac, Android or Windows.
What this guide covers:
- Mac
- Android and Windows
- FAQs
- Conclusion
Mac
If you want to learn how to write on a PDF on a Mac, you’ve got a couple of options. Luckily, they’re both free!
Preview
Preview is the PDF and image viewer for Mac operating systems.
Step 1: Open the PDF document you want to write on. Click the Text icon on the markup toolbar.
Alternatively, choose Tools, then Annotate, then Text.
The Markup toolbar’s editing tools are perfect for teamwork. Source
Step 2: Click the text box icon indicated as T in the toolbar. Write the text in the blank field and drag and drop it to your desired position.
Step 3: Click the A icon on the extreme right for various text formatting options.
Step 4: When finished, navigate to the File drop-down menu and click the Save button to save your file.
Adobe
Step 1: Open your web browser and go to the Edit PDFs with comments feature in Acrobat online services.
Step 2: Click the Select a file button or drag and drop your PDF file into the designated drop zone.
Step 3: After the file uploads, go to the toolbar and choose the Add Text Comment tool.
Use the text box to type.
Step 4: Use the newly displayed icons at the bottom of the toolbar to customize the color and size of the text.
Adjust text color from the toolbar.
Step 5: Click on any location to start typing your text.
Step 6: Adjust the size of the text box as needed.
Step 7: Drag the text box to the desired position on the document.
Step 8: Select the Download button to save the PDF file after completing your edits.
Android and Windows
The following options can solve your Windows and Android-based PDF woes.
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC (Android and Windows)
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC is a desktop-based editor that lets users change text and images. Users can edit files from their desktop or mobile device.
Step 1: Download Adobe Acrobat Pro DC from the Adobe website.
Step 2: Open Adobe Acrobat Pro DC. Click the File drop-down menu, then select Open to upload the PDF file and edit.
Step 3: Select the Tools drop-down menu, then choose Edit PDF.
Step 4: Click the Add Text icon to edit the PDF. Access the menu bar on the left side to change the text’s size, color and format.
Step 5: Rename the document and click Save in the drop-down File menu to save the document.
Alternatively, follow these steps if you want to know how to write on a PDF without an Adobe Pro membership.
Step 1: Open the file in the Acrobat PDF Editor.
Step 2: Select Fill & Sign on the right side of the screen.
Step 3: Choose the Add Text tool.
Step 4: Click on the PDF where you’d like to add text and start typing.
PDF Candy
A unique free PDF editor with numerous features, PDF Candy competes with paid alternatives. It offers scanning, multiple file conversion choices and OCR functionality.
Despite its unconventional interface, it’s the best way to write on PDFs using the Android OS. Let’s walk you through it.
Step 1: Launch any browser on your device and navigate to the PDF Candy homepage.
Step 2: Once on the homepage, find the menu with PDF tools. Select the Add Text tool under the Edit PDF section.
Step 3: After that, upload the PDF file you plan to edit.
Step 4: Click the Add File button to select a PDF from your device’s storage or click the Google Drive or Dropbox icons to upload a file from these cloud storage platforms.
Step 5: After uploading your file, click anywhere on the document where you want to add text and begin writing.
Click anywhere on the text to begin editing.
Step 6: Use the toolbar at the top of your document to modify your text’s font, size, color and position as desired.
Step 7: After confirming your edits, click the Done button at the bottom of the page.
Step 8: Download your edited file by clicking the Download File button. Your device will now download the edited PDF.
You can add a watermark, compress the file or split it before downloading.
EasePDF
EasePDF is an online platform for simple PDF editing. It has more than 20 tools to facilitate writing, editing and note-taking.
It’s convenient as it doesn’t require downloading a third-party application. All you need is a stable internet connection. It supports multiple devices and operating systems, making it easier to write on a PDF on Mac, Windows and Linux.
Let’s look at the step-by-step instructions below:
Step 1: Click the drop-down icon for the All PDF tools tab, navigate to the Edit PDF icon and click it.
Choose how to edit the PDF.
Step 2: Click the Add File Button to upload the PDF document you want to write on. You can upload the document from Google Drive, DropBox or OneDrive.
Add a file to edit.
Step 3: Explore the tools in the menu to edit the PDF. Click the Add Text button and start writing on your PDF.
You can also adjust the text size, font, and color using the editing toolbar.
You also have the option to create your signature or upload images by clicking on the appropriate options in the tab.
Step 4: Click Save after you finish editing.
Make changes to the PDF.
Step 4: After editing your PDF, click on Download to save the edited PDF.
Smallpdf
Similar to EasePDF, Smallpdf allows you to write on PDFs online. Access the site from mobile devices without installing or registering on third-party applications. It can import PDF files directly from the computer, Dropbox or Google Drive to get started.
Follow the instructions below to write on a PDF in Smallpdf.
Step 1: Head to the Smallpdf website and click the Edit PDF button to begin.
Step 2: Drag and drop the PDF into the editor or select the Choose file option.
Upload your file on the Smallpdf site. Source
Step 3: Begin editing the PDF with the Add text button. Adjust the font size, color and text via the options on the top menu bar. You can also add images, shapes or freehand annotations.
Edit the PDF with the “Add text” button. Adjust the font size, color and more.
Step 4: Click Finish to save the changes, and finally, click Download.
Click “download” to save the edited version of the PDF.
Google Docs
An age-old way to edit a PDF is to take it to Google Docs. Commonly used as a replacement for Microsoft Word, GDocs is another tool that lets you write on a PDF.
Here’s how to do it.
Step 1: Go to Google Docs and log in to your account.
Log into your Google Docs account.
Step 2: Upload your file by clicking the file icon in the bottom right corner and selecting the Upload button to add a PDF from your computer.
If the PDF is already on Google Drive, choose My Drive to access it.
Drag and drop your file to edit it.
Step 3: Click on the Open with Google Docs icon to begin editing.
Open your file in Docs.
Step 4: You can now edit the document. You may change the style, font and font size and even add images by clicking on the corresponding icons.
Edit your PDF using the formatting tools.
Step 5: After editing, navigate to the File drop-down menu, click the Download option and select PDF Document to save the edited document on your PC.
FAQs
What should I look for in a PDF editor?
Want to know how to write on a PDF but spoilt for choice? Here are some tips:
- Look for an editor that includes essential functions like text editing, annotation tools, and the ability to add and remove pages.
- Check for device and operating system compatibility.
- Password protection and encryption are critical to secure sensitive data.
- Finally, check whether it supports multiple file formats and integrates with cloud services for easy storage.
Why can’t I write on a PDF?
There could be many reasons for this:
- Check permissions for editing restrictions.
- Ensure your PDF viewer/editor supports annotation.
- Verify the file isn’t corrupted and that your software is up to date.
- If the document is scanned, use OCR software for editable text.
How do I convert a PDF to an editable Word document?
Popular tools like Adobe Acrobat and SmallPDF or online platforms like Google Drive offer user-friendly conversion options.
Conclusion
The PDF editing process can be straightforward and convenient with the help of the tools above. With these options, you can edit online or offline, depending upon your convenience.
How do you write on a PDF? Let us know your tips and tricks in the comments!