3 Methods to Edit Existing Text in PDF

PDF (Portable Document Format) files have become the standard for sharing and distributing documents while preserving their original content. However, there are situations where the need to modify existing text in a PDF document arises.

Whether you’re correcting a typo, updating information, or making revisions, the ability to edit PDF text is invaluable.

In this guide, we’ll demonstrate two efficient methods for changing existing text in a PDF using professional, all-in-one software solutions.

Edit Existing Text in PDF Free

PDFgear presents an efficient and professional method for editing PDF text that is entirely free and doesn’t require any sign-up.

Unlike the process of adding text boxes over existing content, PDFgear allows users to directly edit, replace, or delete text and images within PDF files.

Furthermore, it is compatible with both Windows and macOS operating systems, alongside a fully featured online version for added convenience.

Step 1. Open the PDF File

Launch PDFgear and click “Open File” to select the PDF file you want to edit.

Step 2. Access the Editor

To access the “Edit Text” feature, navigate to the toolbar at the top of the screen. Clicking on it will direct you to the editing mode, where you will be presented with editable areas within the document.

Step. 3 Edit the Text

Select the text you want to change by clicking on it. Begin typing to replace the existing text. You can also utilize the formatting options to adjust the font, size, and style.

Edit PDFs with Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat empowers users to modify existing text, including deletion, editing, text size adjustments, and even image edits, much like a word processing document.

It is often the preferred choice for many business users due to its inclusion in premium plans, although it does require substantial storage and processing capabilities on your device.

Step 1. Launch Adobe Acrobat on your computer and open the PDF file you wish to edit. Alternatively, right-click on the PDF file and select “Open with Adobe Acrobat.”

Step 2. Click on the “Edit PDF” tool located in the toolbar. Highlight the text you intend to change by clicking and dragging your mouse to select the desired text.

Step 3. Once the text is selected, you can make changes directly within the text box. You have the flexibility to delete, add, or modify the text as needed.

Additionally, you can adjust text size, font, and formatting using the text editing tools provided in Adobe Acrobat. After making your edits, save the PDF document.

Edit Existing Text in PDF Online

If you have limited device storage or prefer not to download software, the online tool PDFCandy is a great solution. Here are the detailed steps you can follow.

Step 1. Click “ADD FILE”  to upload a PDF to PDFCandy

Step 2. Move the mouse to the position where you want to change the text and click on it. Once the text box’s edge changes from a solid line to a dotted line, you can start editing the text.

To delete the whole selected sentence, you can click “x” on the right.

Step 3. Click the “Export” button, after the countdown ending, you can choose to download the modified PDF or upload it to Dropbox/Google Drive.

However, PDFCandy lacks certain features such as changing text fonts, adding hyperlinks, and offers only 10 text colors.

Additionally, PDFCandy has hourly and size limits unless you subscribe for $6/month. In contrast, PDFgear is completely free with no size or time limits, and no watermarks. Also, PDFgear has more features to offer.

FAQs

Why are you still unable to edit the text in your PDF?

There may be three reasons to consider:

1. Scanned PDF or Image-Based PDF. These types of PDFs cannot be edited directly. Though expensive, you can use Adobe Acrobat to edit them directly without converting. Alternatively, you can use PDFgear to convert PDFs to editable Word documents and then make your edits.

2. Read-Only PDF: If the PDF. is set to read-only, you will need to ask the owner to remove the restrictions or save a copy of the PDF and then edit that copy.

3. Password-protected PDF. You need to enter the correct password to unlock and edit the PDF.

How to edit existing text in PDF on Mac?

PDFgear, the free PDF editor, is compatible with Windows, macOS, and iOS. Download the lightweight software on your Mac, import the PDF, locate the “Home” toolbar, and click “Edit Text” to modify the existing text in PDFs.

Can I change the font and text color while editing a PDF?

Absolutely yes! PDFgear offers all these powerful features for everyone. You can change text colors, fonts, sizes, and locations, make text bold or italic, and much more.

Final Thoughts

Editing the content within a PDF may seem daunting, but it’s entirely achievable. The ability to modify existing text in a PDF is essential for various purposes, from correcting errors to updating information. Adobe Acrobat, with its robust feature set and backing from Adobe’s product line, is a powerful choice for business users. However, it may require substantial device resources and financial investment in its membership plan.

On the other hand, PDFgear offers a viable alternative. It’s completely free with no hidden costs, no intrusive ads, and no sign-up requirements. It allows for direct text and image edits within PDF files and is compatible with both Windows and macOS.

The choice among these methods ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. Each option empowers you to make necessary changes to your PDF documents efficiently.