How to type on a PDF and fill it in without printing it
You need to fill in a PDF form, but it doesn't have editable fields, or you want to add some text or an image to a document without printing it. You can edit a PDF for free using a web-based tool that allows you to add text, images, and shapes to the document without altering the original content.
The editor is a simple and intuitive tool that shows each page of the PDF as it is, allowing you to place text boxes, images, rectangles, ellipses, lines, arrows, and freehand strokes with a pen or a highlighter. Everything you add can be moved, resized, deleted, and undone before saving the edited document.
Introduction to PDF editing
Most "edit PDF" jobs are about adding things, such as filling in a form that has no fields, writing a date or a reference number, putting your logo on a quote, circling a figure in a report, highlighting the lines that matter, or drawing an arrow for a colleague. The editor allows you to do all these tasks and more, without requiring any special skills or software.
The edited PDF will retain the original text, which stays sharp, selectable, and searchable, and any text you type will also be sharp and selectable. You can type in Latin, Greek, or Cyrillic letters, and the editor also supports Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Arabic characters, although these are added as a sharp image.
How the editor works
The editor adds new content on top of the original page, instead of rewriting what is already there. This means that you can't directly change the text that is already in the PDF, but you can cover it with the whiteout tool and type the new text on top. The original text is hidden, not deleted, so it's still inside the file and can be copied or recovered.
The whiteout tool paints a white rectangle over the part of the page you want to cover, so it's hidden when viewed or printed, but the original text and images are still inside the file. However, this is not a secure redaction, so you shouldn't rely on it to hide confidential data such as passwords or ID numbers.
Steps to edit a PDF
To edit a PDF, you can select your file and choose a tool from the editor page. Here are the steps to follow:
- Select your PDF file or drop it into the box.
- Pick a tool, such as Text, Image, Shape, Draw, or Whiteout, and tap the page to add your content.
- Move and resize what you added, and use the undo feature if you make a mistake.
- Click Save PDF to download the edited document.
Once you've edited your PDF, you can save it and download it to your device. The edited PDF will retain the original quality, with no re-compression or conversion to images, and any text or images you added will be sharp and clear.
Editing pdfs on different devices
You can edit a PDF on your phone or tablet, as well as on your computer. Simply open the editor page on your device, select your PDF, and start editing. You can use your finger to tap and drag on the page, and pinch to zoom in and out.
The editor works entirely inside your browser, on your own device, so your PDF, the text you type, and the images you add are never sent to a server or stored anywhere. This means you can even disconnect from the internet after the page loads, and the editor will keep working.
Overall, editing a PDF is a simple and straightforward process that can be done for free, without requiring any special software or skills. Whether you need to fill in a form, add some text or an image, or highlight important information, the editor has the tools you need to get the job done.
FAQ
Can I change the text that is already in my PDF?
The editor does not rewrite the text that is already in the file. To replace a word or a number, draw a whiteout box over it and type the new text on top in a similar font and size. For long rewrites, converting the PDF to Word is usually easier.
Does whiteout remove the information underneath?
No. Whiteout paints a white rectangle over that part of the page, so it is hidden when viewed or printed, but the original text and images are still inside the file and can be copied or recovered. It is not a secure redaction, so do not rely on it to hide passwords, ID numbers or confidential data.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. The editing happens inside your browser on your own device, so your PDF, the text you type and the images you add are never sent to us or stored anywhere. You can even disconnect from the internet after the page loads and the editor keeps working.