How to Edit a PDF

Written By Chris Craft

How to Edit a PDF with your Software of Choice

PDF, which stands for Portable Document Format files, are very common in today's digital world for their ability to maintain document formatting across different platforms. Whether you need to annotate, fill out forms, or make substantial edits, having the right PDF editing software or app can greatly improve your productivity. Here are the top tools available and how to edit a PDF with them.

1. Adobe Acrobat DC

Adobe Acrobat DC remains the standard in PDF editing software. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools for editing, annotating, and securing PDF documents. Key features include:

  • Edit Text and Images: Easily modify text and images within a PDF.

  • Annotations and Comments: Add comments, highlights, and markups.

  • Form Filling: Fill out forms and sign documents electronically.

  • Security Features: Password protection, encryption, and redaction tools.

  • OCR: Recognize text in scanned documents for editable content.

Adobe Acrobat DC is ideal for professionals and businesses needing robust PDF editing capabilities. However, it comes with a subscription cost, which may not be suitable for casual users.

2. Microsoft Edge (Windows 10 and later)

Microsoft Edge, the default web browser in Windows 10 and later versions, includes built-in PDF editing capabilities. It offers basic tools for:

  • Annotation: Highlighting, underlining, and adding comments.

  • Fill and Sign: Fill out forms and add digital signatures.

  • Convert: Save PDFs as Word documents.

While not as feature-rich as dedicated PDF editors, Microsoft Edge is convenient for quick edits and integrates well with the Windows environment.

3. Preview (macOS)

Preview is the default PDF viewer and editor on macOS. It provides essential editing tools like:

  • Text and Image Editing: Modify text, insert images, and adjust sizes.

  • Annotations: Markup with shapes, arrows, and text boxes.

  • Merge and Split: Combine PDFs or extract pages.

Preview is intuitive and sufficient for basic PDF editing needs on Mac computers.

4. Smallpdf

Smallpdf is a popular online PDF editor that offers a range of tools for basic PDF manipulation. It's convenient for quick edits without the need to download software. Features include:

  • Merge and Split: Combine multiple PDFs or split large files.

  • Edit Text: Make straightforward text edits within the browser.

  • Convert: Convert PDFs to and from various formats like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

  • Form Filling: Fill out forms and add signatures.

Smallpdf is user-friendly and accessible across devices but may have limitations compared to more advanced desktop software.

5. PDFelement

PDFelement by Wondershare is a versatile desktop PDF editor available for both Windows and macOS. It offers a balance of affordability and functionality, with features such as:

  • Edit and Format Text: Modify text, adjust font styles, and rearrange paragraphs.

  • Annotations: Highlight text, add sticky notes, and draw shapes.

  • Convert and Export: Convert PDFs to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more.

  • OCR: Recognize text in scanned PDFs for editable content.

PDFelement provides a user-friendly interface suitable for both personal and professional use, with a one-time purchase option or subscription plans.

6. Foxit PhantomPDF

Foxit PhantomPDF offers a robust set of features for editing PDFs on Windows. Key functionalities include:

  • Edit Text and Images: Make changes directly within the PDF.

  • Annotations and Comments: Review and collaborate with markups.

  • Security: Encrypt and protect documents with passwords and permissions.

  • OCR: Convert scanned documents into editable PDFs.

Foxit PhantomPDF caters to businesses and professionals with advanced editing and security features.

7. PDF Expert (iOS and macOS)

PDF Expert by Readdle is a popular PDF editor for Apple devices, known for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive feature set:

  • Edit PDF Text: Easily modify text and adjust formatting.

  • Annotations: Highlight, underline, and add notes.

  • Form Filling: Fill out forms and sign documents on the go.

  • File Management: Organize and manage PDFs across devices.

PDF Expert integrates well with iCloud and other cloud services, making it ideal for Apple users needing seamless PDF editing capabilities.

Choosing the Right Tool

The best PDF editing software or app depends on your specific needs, whether for occasional edits, professional use, or collaboration. Consider factors such as features, platform compatibility, ease of use, and cost when selecting the tool that fits your requirements. With these top tools at your disposal, you can confidently handle PDF editing tasks with efficiency and precision, enhancing your productivity in managing digital documents.

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Chris Craft
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