[3 Free Ways] How to Edit a PDF in Chrome

Many choose to edit a PDF in Chrome as it eliminates the need to download software and is available across devices.

You may have tried using the built-in Google Chrome viewer to annotate or change text in a PDF but found that it only allows for file viewing and form filling.

To make PDF editing in your browser feasible, we have explored some free tools that support opening PDFs and provide file modification features.

Edit PDF in Chrome with a Free Online PDF Editor

The PDFgear online PDF editor is free and user-friendly, with well-organized functions that are easy to understand.

Unlike many other editors, this web-based app provides premium PDF editing features without requiring a subscription or sign-up. There are no usage limits—open your PDF and start drawing, signing, and more.

1. Go to PDFgear Editor Online. Click the button to upload or drag and drop a PDF.

2. When the document is open, tap “Add or Edit annotations” in the upper-right corner. Then, choose the features to:

• Highlight, underline, and strikethrough text.
• Add shapes and text.
• Draw lines.
• Create stamps and signatures.

You can also make your PDF more interactive by selecting the “Add and Edit Form Fields” option, which allows you to add checkboxes, list boxes, signature fields, and more.

3. After editing your PDF, save the new version by clicking the “Download File” button and then naming the file to save it.

As an online tool, PDFgear ensures the safety of your file data by removing all information once you leave the website. Moreover, this online PDF solution offers page editing services, including certain page extraction, deletion, rotation, and more.

Edit PDF in Chrome with Adobe Acrobat Chrome Extension

The Adobe Acrobat extension is another choice for quick access to PDF editing and management. It performs smoothly in your Google Chrome and boosts productivity while you are browsing.

1. Search Adobe Acrobat in the Chrome Web Store and add it to Chrome.

2. In the Chrome toolbar > Choose Extensions > Find Adobe Acrobat.

3. Click the “Edit” or “Sign” drop-down and select the needed features including page organizing, form filling, and more.

Users can utilize basic features to modify their PDFs for free without downloading the standard version of Adobe Acrobat.

However, advanced editing tools, such as adding text or inserting images, are limited to paid subscribers only. This can be a drawback for users who are looking for a more cost-effective solution.

Edit PDF in Chrome Using Google Drive

Apart from the dedicated online PDF editor and Adobe Acrobat Chrome extension, you can opt for the cloud-based Google Drive to open and edit PDFs.

It automatically converts your PDF to a Doc file and provides a set of editing functions for effortlessly changing the elements in the document.

Follow the steps to get a PDF edited with Google Drive:

1. Log in to Google Drive and upload a PDF to it.

2 Locate the PDF and right-click it > Choose “Open with” > Google Docs.

3. When the file is open in Google Docs, select options in the menu bar for editing.

4. When modification is complete, Click File > Download > PDF Document and save the file.

Note: If the PDF is a scanned one, file formatting may be lost or changed during conversion. Therefore, it is suggested to make scanned PDFs editable before editing them.

FAQs

How do I highlight text in a PDF using Chrome?

To highlight text in a PDF in Chrome, you can use the PDFgear free online PDF editor. It asks for no sign-up and generates no watermarks. Simply open a PDF with it > Click Add or Edit annotations > Choose Highlight Text > Custom highlight color and opacity > Select the text to highlight.

Can I add signatures to a PDF using Chrome?

You can’t directly add signatures to a PDF using Chrome as its native PDF viewer does not support text or picture addition. However, you can use the free web-based app PDFgear Editor Online for PDF signing: upload the PDF online > go to Add or Edit annotations > Add Signature > Choose to type, write, or add

How do I add comments to a PDF in Chrome?

Chrome’s built-in PDF viewer does not allow PDF commenting. To achieve it, you can choose PDFgear online editor. It enables users to create comments on the PDF as sticky notes and allows users to delete, re-edit, and export the comments.

How can I fill out forms in a PDF using Chrome?

To fill out forms in a PDF using Chrome, open the PDF in the browser, click on the fields you want to fill and type your information. You can then save or print the filled-out PDF directly from Chrome.

Conclusion

Editing PDFs directly in Chrome can be limited, and PDFgear offers a superior solution. As a free, user-friendly online editor, PDFgear allows you to edit, annotate, and sign PDFs without subscription or usage limits.

Its robust features, such as adding form fields and signatures, make it an excellent alternative to free-trial tools like Adobe Acrobat. Additionally, PDFgear ensures file data security by automatically removing your data after use, providing both functionality and peace of mind.