How to use PDF Editor
- Open a PDF file.
- Choose a tool from the toolbar, such as Text, Draw, Highlight or Image, and click on a page to add it.
- Select an item to move, resize, restyle or delete it. Use the page list to rotate, reorder or delete pages.
- Select Save PDF to download the edited document.
What you can do in the PDF editor
A surprising number of everyday PDFs need a small change rather than a full rewrite: an application form that has to be filled in, a contract that needs a signature, a scanned page that should be highlighted for a colleague, or an extra page that should be removed before sending. This editor is designed for exactly those jobs. You can add new content on top of any page and reorganize the pages themselves, then save a new PDF that opens in any reader.
| Tool | What it does | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Text | Adds a text box in your choice of font, size, color and weight | Filling in forms, adding notes, dates and names |
| Draw | Freehand pen strokes | Ticks, circles, arrows and quick sketches |
| Highlight | Translucent marker over existing text | Marking important passages for a reader |
| Shape | Rectangle outline or filled box | Framing a section, tables, form boxes |
| Cover | Solid box in white or any color | Hiding content, correcting text by covering and retyping |
| Image | Places a JPG, PNG or WEBP image | Logos, stamps, photos |
| Sign | Draw a signature and place it | Signing letters, forms and agreements |
Filling in a PDF form step by step
- Open the PDF. Pages appear in the main area and as thumbnails in the page list.
- Select Text, then click on the first blank line of the form. Type your answer.
- Use the Size and Font controls in the bar above the pages to match the form. 10 or 11 pt is right for most printed forms.
- Drag the text box to line it up exactly. Use the arrow keys for fine positioning; hold Shift to move in bigger steps.
- Repeat for each field. To tick a box, use Draw or type a capital X with the Text tool.
- Add your signature with Sign, then select Save PDF.
To save time on long forms, set the font and size once before adding the first box. New text boxes use the last settings you chose.
Signing a document electronically
Select Sign and draw your signature in the box using a mouse, trackpad or your finger on a touch screen. A stylus gives the most natural result. The empty space around your strokes is trimmed automatically, and the signature is placed on the page you are viewing, ready to be moved and resized.
The signature is added to the PDF as an image with a transparent background, so it sits naturally on top of signature lines. It is an electronic signature, similar to signing a printout and scanning it. It is not a certificate-based digital signature. Many forms, letters and agreements accept it, but some banks, courts and government offices require a certified digital signature, so check if you are unsure.
Correcting text that is already in the PDF
PDF files are designed to look identical everywhere, and they store text as individually positioned characters rather than editable paragraphs. That is why existing text cannot simply be retyped in a browser-based editor. The practical workaround is the same one professionals use for small corrections:
- Select Cover and draw a box over the word or line you want to change. Choose a color that matches the page background, usually white.
- Select Text and type the corrected wording on top of the box.
- Match the font and size so the correction blends in.
For larger rewrites, it is usually quicker to edit the original Word or source document and export a new PDF.
Rearranging, rotating and deleting pages
The page list on the left (or behind the Pages button on phones) shows every page with four buttons: move up, move down, rotate and delete. Rotating a page turns it together with anything you have added to it. Deleted pages can be brought back with Undo until you save. When you save, links, bookmarks and form fields in the original file are kept, because your changes are written into the original document rather than into a copy.
Writing in other languages
You can type in any language your device supports, including Hindi, Arabic, Chinese and other scripts. Text in English and other Latin-script languages is saved as real PDF text, so it stays sharp at any zoom and can be searched and copied. Text in other scripts is saved as a high-resolution image of the text. This guarantees that it displays correctly in every PDF reader, even those without fonts for that script, although that text cannot be searched inside the PDF.
Keyboard shortcuts
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| V, T, D, H, R, C, I, S | Select, Text, Draw, Highlight, Shape, Cover, Image, Sign |
| Delete or Backspace | Remove the selected item |
| Arrow keys | Move the selected item by 1 point (Shift: 10 points) |
| Ctrl+Z / Ctrl+Y | Undo / Redo |
| Escape | Finish editing text, or deselect |
Troubleshooting
- The PDF does not open and mentions encryption: protected PDFs cannot be changed in the browser. Open the file in a PDF reader, print it to a new PDF with Save as PDF, and edit that copy.
- Text looks slightly different in another reader: the editor uses the standard PDF fonts Helvetica, Times and Courier, which every reader includes. Small spacing differences between readers are normal.
- A large scanned PDF feels slow: each page is a large image. Zoom out a little and work page by page; saving is still fast.
Frequently asked questions
Is my PDF uploaded to a server?
No. The PDF is opened, displayed and saved in your browser.
Can I edit a password-protected PDF?
Encrypted PDFs cannot be changed in the browser. Open the file in a PDF reader, print it to a new PDF with "Save as PDF", and edit that copy. You can still view and convert protected files with PDF to Image if you know the password.
Will the original PDF be changed?
No. Your edits are saved to a new file that you download. The original stays as it was.
Are form fields and links kept?
Yes. Your additions are drawn onto the original pages, so existing links, form fields and bookmarks stay in the file. Pages you delete are removed together with their content.
Can I add a date or stamp image?
Yes. Type the date with the Text tool, or use Image to place a scanned stamp or logo. PNG images with transparent backgrounds look best.
Will the edited PDF look the same on a phone?
Yes. Your additions become part of the page content, so they appear the same in every PDF reader, including phone apps and browsers.
Can I undo after saving?
Saving creates a new file and leaves your original untouched. Keep the original if you might need to start again.
Is there a page limit?
There is no fixed limit. Files up to 100 MB are supported; very long scanned documents depend on the memory available in your browser.