How to Type on a PDF: 6 Solutions for Editing Your Documents

In today’s increasingly digital world, there are many types of documents necessary for bPeople create, edit and share files in various formats, like DOC and DOCX, HTML, XLS and TXT. However, how to type on a PDF remains a mystery for many. You might want to know how to type on a PDF for many reasons.

Maybe you saved one but found a typo or need to add some text the original author forgot about. If you need to make changes to a PDF file, read on to learn more about this format and find the best applications you can use for editing PDFs.

What Is a PDF?

A PDF or “Portable Document Format” makes it easier to share information across various applications and operating systems. It does not damage the integrity of the document, such as the formatting or content. For example, think of the times you’ve opened a DOC file or another type of document in an unfamiliar application and the margins have changed, images are missing and text may be in disarray. 

With a PDF, the main goal is to preserve the document’s formatting so you won’t encounter such problems. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t edit a PDF. It just requires the right application and knowledge of how the process works.

1. Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Inc. is one of the world’s most popular software development companies. Its Adobe Acrobat program is specifically designed to create, edit and view PDFs. Editing is one of Acrobat’s primary purposes, so the process is straightforward.

1. Open the PDF you want to edit in Adobe Acrobat.
2. Under the “Tools” menu, select the “Edit PDF” option.
3. The editing tools menu allows you to change the text, formatting, images and other features. You can fix typos, add new sections, resize images and rearrange pages.
4. Make any additional changes as necessary, like annotations and watermarks.
5. Make sure you save the edits you made to your PDF before you close the document.

You can type on PDFs in Adobe Acrobat in a few ways: editing existing text or adding new text. Pay careful attention to the toolbar options in Acrobat because each function has different buttons. There is also a separate tool for filing out PDF forms in Acrobat, so check to see if your PDF is fillable already. 

2. Preview on MacOS

If you have a Mac, you already have a program on your computer that lets you edit and manage your PDFs. Apple’s Preview app is primarily for viewing digital images and PDFs, but you can also make a few changes to these file types.

1. Open your PDF in Preview.
2. Click on the Show Markup Toolbar button to bring up the toolbar with several editing options.
3. You can markup the PDF with features like text selection, redacting, rectangle selection, sketching and drawing. Add notes or create annotations with a nearby Apple device.
4. Use the “Text” button to add text and customize the font and formatting. “Sign” allows you to add an existing signature or create a new one to certify PDF documents and forms.
5. Go to “File” and save your document to keep the changes you’ve made to your PDF.

3. Google Docs

Google Docs is an accessible way to edit PDFs if your options are limited. While you can technically edit PDFs with this platform, you must convert the file to a Google Doc first. Depending on your PDF, you might lose some of the formatting — but you’ll be able to adjust the text to your liking.

1. Upload the PDF to Google Drive, choose the file and select “Open in Google Docs.”
2. When you open the file in Google Docs, you can edit text, adjust images and make any other changes as necessary. Converting from PDF to Google Docs may have changed the formatting of your document.
3. Once you’ve made all the changes you want, you can export your document as a PDF. In the “File” drop-down menu, select “Download” then “PDF Document (.pdf).”

4. Microsoft Word

Like Google Docs, Microsoft Word allows users to edit PDFs by converting them into compatible file types. Follow these instructions to make changes to your PDF with Word:

1. Open Microsoft Word, select “Open” and choose the PDF you want to edit. Word will notify you that it is converting a copy of your document into a compatible format — your original PDF file will be untouched.
2. Once you’ve opened your PDF copy, you can make your desired changes using the standard Word features, including editing text and adjusting images.
3. To save your file as a PDF, select the “PDF (*.pdf)” file type option in the Save drop-down menu and export the document.

5. Markup on iOS

Apple iOS products like iPhones and iPads include the Markup feature, which allows users to edit emails, messages and photos. Like its Mac counterpart, Preview, Markup has a few limitations when it comes to PDFs, but it’s a useful option for making edits on the go. 

1. Open the Mail app and find the message with the PDF you want to edit. Open the PDF and select the “Markup” button in the bottom right corner of the screen.
2. With the Markup toolbar open, you can select the tools you want to make hand-drawn changes to the PDF. Options include a pen, highlighter, pencil and eraser. The lasso tool allows you to move things you’ve drawn and the ruler helps facilitate drawing straight lines on the document.
3. When you’ve completed your edits, select the drop-down menu in the top left corner. You can choose to “Save to Files” to transfer a copy of the document to your Files app or “Lock PDF” to prevent further changes.

6. Online PDF Editors

You can use several online PDF editors to make changes to your PDFs quickly. Their capabilities range from basic to advanced and prices vary — some are free while others require a subscription. Popular online options include PDF Candy and downloadable programs like PDF24 Creator.

Tips and Tricks

A couple of best practices can help when you’re learning how to type on a PDF, regardless of the device or app you’re using. These tips and tricks can minimize technical issues and simplify PDF editing.

Make Sure the PDF Isn’t Locked

Sometimes you can’t type on a PDF because the person who created it locked it. You might be able to open and view the PDF but can’t edit anything, regardless of the app you use. People often lock or finalize PDFs for security reasons. 

For example, if the PDF is a legal document, it’s crucial to ensure no one edits it except authorized personnel. So, you may need to contact the person who created the PDF to get permission to edit it using the document’s password.

Save a Copy of Your PDF Before Editing It

It’s a good idea to save a backup copy of your PDF before typing on it or editing it. You may not need the backup, but it’s good to have it if you accidentally alter the document’s formatting or run into other technical issues. 

Double-Check the App You’re Using

Some PDF editing apps, including certain versions of Adobe Acrobat, require premium subscriptions or purchases to unlock various editing options. If you can’t access an editing option you want or can’t seem to edit your PDF at all, double-check the app you’re using to confirm it’s not a premium version.

Learn How to Type on a PDF

If you need to edit a PDF, check out these programs and find the best fit for your needs. Whether you have a Mac or PC or primarily edit on your mobile device, you can find a PDF editor that does the job.

Original Publish Date 7/11/2023 — Updated 12/23/2024