Edit PDF Text
Add or edit text
on any PDF
Click anywhere on your PDF to place a text box. Change font, size, colour, and weight. Works on any PDF — no software to install.
Your file never leaves your browser
How to edit PDF text
- 1
Open your PDF
Drag and drop your PDF onto the editor or click "Choose file". Your file loads instantly — nothing is sent to a server. Unlike Adobe Acrobat online, there's no account or upload required.
- 2
Select the Text tool
Click the "Add text" tool in the toolbar. Then click anywhere on the page to place a text box at that position — a workflow described in HowToGeek's guide to editing PDFs.
- 3
Style and position
Use the Properties panel to set font family, size, colour, and bold. Drag the text box to the exact position you need. Free alternatives like LibreOffice require converting your PDF first — here, you work directly on the PDF.
- 4
Download
Click "Download PDF". Your edits are baked into the file and ready to share or print. As covered by MakeUseOf, browser-based editors are the most convenient option for occasional edits.
Frequently asked questions
How do I edit a PDF for free?
Open your PDF in the editor (free, no account needed), select the Text tool, and click anywhere to place a text box. Style it, reposition it, and click Download PDF. The edit is embedded in the file. As HowToGeek explains, browser-based PDF editors now handle the most common editing tasks without any installed software.
How do I type on a PDF?
Select the Text tool from the toolbar, then click anywhere on the PDF page. A text box appears at that position — start typing immediately. Set font, size, and colour in the Properties panel.
How do I change PDF content or alter a PDF?
To change existing text: use the Whiteout tool to cover the original text, then place a new text box on top with your updated content. To add new content: use the Text, Image, or Shape tools directly. MakeUseOf's guide to free PDF editing covers the full range of approaches for different scenarios.
How can I edit a PDF without Adobe?
PDFTheGuide is a free online PDF editor that requires no Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader. Free desktop alternatives include LibreOffice Draw and Apache OpenOffice Draw, though these require installation and have limited PDF editing capabilities. PDFTheGuide runs entirely in your browser with nothing to install.
Can I edit the original text in a PDF?
PDF files store text in a binary format that cannot be directly edited like a Word document — as Computer Hope explains, PDFs are presentation formats, not editable documents. The editor overlays a new text box on top. Use the Whiteout tool to cover existing text first, then place your new text box on top.
What fonts can I use?
The editor includes Helvetica, Times Roman, and Courier — the PDF base-14 fonts guaranteed to work in every PDF reader without embedding additional font data.
Does it work on scanned PDFs?
Yes. You can place text over scanned (image-based) PDFs exactly as you would with text-based ones. The underlying scan is untouched. See our scanned PDF glossary entry for more on how image-based PDFs differ from text PDFs.