5 Ways to Write on a PDF

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PDFs serve as a universal standard for sharing documents across various platforms. However, many users often find themselves at a loss when it comes to editing these files.

Learning how to write effectively on a PDF document can improve your productivity and workflow, whether you're a student looking to highlight key points in a book or someone who simply wants to jot down notes on a digital file.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore various methods and tools that enable you to annotate and type on PDF documents with ease.

How to write on a PDF offline?

Icecream PDF Editor

The PDF file format is a common document extension that is known for its ability to preserve both content and formatting. That's a great option when you need to store documents safely. However, if you notice a typo and need to write over a PDF to add something new, then it might become complicated.

Icecream PDF Editor is a powerful software used to edit PDFs on Windows in just a few steps. It boasts an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it accessible to both beginners and advanced users.

Read on to find out how to write on a PDF on Windows:

  1. Download free PDF editor and complete the setup process. Launch it to proceed with your task of writing on a PDF.
  2. Drag and drop the file into the window of the program or click "Open..." to select a file.
  3. Enter the "Edit" mode. Click the "T" icon to select the text tool to be able to write on the PDF.
  4. Set the font size (8 to 72 points) and apply bold and italic properties if needed. Employ the text alignment, select the font type, choose the color, and adjust the opacity.
  5. Hover the cursor where you want to type. Start typing the new text.
  6. To keep your changes hit the "File" button and select "Save" or "Save as...".

The software to annotate PDF provides a variety of editing tools that enable users to modify PDF documents efficiently. These features include the ability to add, edit, and delete text, as well as insert images, shapes, and annotations. Users can also rearrange pages, merge multiple files, and split PDFs into separate documents.

This free PDF editor offers robust annotation features, allowing users to highlight text, underline, strikethrough, and add comments to PDFs. These annotations can be useful for collaboration, proofreading, or adding additional context to documents.

Icecream PDF Editor is compatible with Windows operating systems, including 11, 10, and earlier versions. It provides seamless integration with your PC environment, ensuring smooth performance and reliable functionality.

Adobe Acrobat

Employing the writing feature on a PDF document can prove advantageous for inserting notes, comments, or making alterations to crucial documents. Adobe Acrobat is a popular program for PDF annotation that allows you to add text to a PDF document without the hassle of printing and scanning.

Here's how to type on a PDF:

  1. Access the PDF document through the application.
  2. Click the "Edit PDF" tool located in the right-hand panel.
  3. Press "Add Text" to insert new text into the PDF.
  4. Make your changes, including font style, size, and color.
  5. To incline personal notes, tap "Add comments" and select "Add a comment".
  6. Type in your note and place it where you want on the document.
  7. Keep any modifications by clicking "Save".

Acrobat is a comprehensive software suite developed by Adobe Systems for managing PDF files. It offers a lot of functionalities to create, edit, and manage PDF documents.

Users can easily view and read PDFs, zoom in or out, navigate through pages, and search for specific text within a document. The application also provides tools for rearranging, deleting pages, and merging multiple PDF files into one.

Additionally, the PDF editor facilitates the conversion of PDFs into other formats like Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and HTML while preserving the original layout and formatting. Users can annotate PDF documents by adding comments, highlights, sticky notes, stamps, and other markup tools.

Note!

  • However, the PDF editing software is rather expensive for users who only require occasional PDF editing. Also, it's worth noting that Adobe Acrobat has received negative reviews on Trustpilot, with users expressing dissatisfaction with various aspects of the software.

Preview

Preview is the default PDF viewer on Mac computers and it offers more than just capabilities to open PDF. It allows you to add text to a PDF file directly, eliminating the need for downloading supplementary software to write on it.

Look how to write in a PDF:

  1. Locate the file you want to write on and double-click it to open it in the app.
  2. Click "View" and then select "Show Markup Toolbar" (or press Command + Shift + A).
  3. Press the "A" icon for the "Text tool". Then, select "Aa" to customize the font color and alignment, and apply bold or italic styles to the text.
  4. Tap the area of the PDF where you want to insert the information. A text box will appear where you clicked, allowing you to type in it.
  5. You can move the text to a different location. To resize the container, click and drag one of the handles on the corners or sides.
  6. Once you've added your text, save the document.

Users can perform basic PDF editing tasks such as cropping, rotating, and resizing images directly in Preview. It enables users to add annotations to PDF documents, including text comments, highlights, shapes, and arrows. This makes it useful for reviewing and collaborating on PDF files.

Note!

  • Users cannot edit text within PDF documents in Preview. Additionally, any manipulations of PDF pages, such as deleting, need to be done manually as there is no batch processing feature available.

How to write on a PDF online?

PDF Candy

PDF Candy is a comprehensive online platform offering various tools and services related to PDF files. It allows users to perform a wide range of tasks such as converting documents to other formats, merging multiple files into a single one, and adding text to a PDF.

Here is how to write on a PDF document online:

  1. Start by accessing the "Edit PDF" tool in your web browser.
  2. Choose the PDF you want to write on.
  3. After uploading the PDF file, you'll be presented with options to add text. Edit the existing text by pressing on it or add a new text box with the "T" tool.
  4. Use the formatting options to change the font, size, color, and alignment of the text as desired.
  5. Once you've written the text, press "Export". Then, hit "Download" to save the edited PDF file.

The platform is user-friendly and accessible through a web browser, eliminating the need for purchasing any subscriptions. It provides major editing tools like inserting text, images, shapes, and annotations to PDF files.

Users can secure their PDF files by adding passwords, restricting printing or copying, and encrypting sensitive information. The service also reduces the file size of PDF documents without compromising quality, making it easier to share or upload files online.

Moreover, PDF Candy offers OCR functionality to turn scanned documents and images into searchable text files.

Note!

  • The application imposes a one-task-per-hour limit on its free version. This means that users can perform only one PDF-related task in an hour.

iLovePDF

iLovePDF is an online platform designed for managing PDF files. It offers various tools and features to help users manipulate and optimize their PDF documents. With this service, users can easily edit and add text to their PDFs without needing to download or install any additional software.

Check how to write in a PDF file:

  1. Go to the website.
  2. Upload your document by clicking "Select PDF file".
  3. Hit "Add text". Press where you need to add text to the PDF.
  4. Customize text properties (font, size, color) if needed. Write on a PDF.
  5. Move or resize the text box by dragging it.
  6. Tap "Edit PDF" to save the document.

The online PDF editor enables users to convert different formats into PDF and vice versa, edit files by merging, splitting, rearranging, and rotating pages, compress documents to reduce the size, add passwords and encryption for security.

Users can convert scanned PDFs and pictures into editable text in Word and organize documents with page numbers, headers, and footers.

Note!

  • However, it is impossible to directly edit the existing text within PDF documents. While the platform offers a range of features for manipulating PDF files, it does not provide functionality for modifying the content of text already present within a PDF.

FAQ

Can I sign a PDF document digitally?
Absolutely. Digital signatures can be added using all methods described above.
How do I fill out a PDF form?
Open the document with a PDF reader or editor that supports form fields, then click on each field to enter your information.
Can I write on a scanned PDF?
Yes, but you may need Optical Character Recognition software to convert scanned images into editable text before you can write on them.
Can I add hyperlinks to a page?
Yes, many PDF editors allow you to add hyperlinks. You can link text or images to URLs or other parts of the document.

Conclusion

In conclusion, mastering the ability to write on PDF documents offers numerous benefits for both personal and professional use.

Throughout this article, we've explored various methods and tools for annotating PDFs, from built-in features of PDF viewers to specialized software and online platforms. By following simple instructions, individuals can easily add text and annotations while preserving the original formatting and content of the document.

So, explore the tools and techniques discussed, and unlock the full potential of writing on PDF documents to revolutionize your digital workflow.

Alexandra Meyer

Editor-in-Chief at Icecream Apps

With experience spanning over several years, Alexandra Meyer holds the esteemed position of editor-in-chief at Icecream Apps. Originally involved in the website's establishment in 2014, Alexandra now ensures the maintenance of the company's exceptional content standards across their various projects. Specializing in technology, software, online services, and human resources, she has extensively written and edited numerous articles on these subjects.
5 min read
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