How to Add Text to a PDF File

PDF files are a great way for anyone with a PDF-reading program to view files from software applications they might not have. At times, you may have a need to add additional text to a PDF file. For example, you might have to fill out a PDF form without interactive fields, or you might need to comment on a PDF document shared among friends or colleagues. There are different ways to add text to a PDF file, each allowing for a different result.

Things You'll Need

• Adobe Acrobat Standard, Pro or Pro Extended

Instructions

Add Text to a PDF Using the TouchUp Text Tool

1. Launch the PDF file to which you want to add text.

2. Click the "Tools" drop-down menu.

3. Select "Advanced Editing."

4. Choose the "TouchUp Text Tool."

5. Click once in the area of the PDF file where you want to add text. The TouchUp Text Tool allows you to type directly into lines of existing text, as well as above and below them.

6. Type the new text you want to add. You will notice that the new text will match the font and font size of the existing text. To change any of the text properties, such as color or bolding, highlight the new text, right-click and select "Properties."

   The text added using the TouchUp Text Tool will not wrap; rather, it will continue to the right and off the page. Be cautious of the space you have available. You can always delete any changes you make by selecting the "Edit" drop-down menu and choosing "Undo." Also, you can highlight the new text and just delete it.

7. Save any changes before closing the PDF file.

Add Text to a PDF Using the Typewriter Tool

1. Launch the PDF file to which you want to add text.

2. Click the "Tools" drop-down menu.

3. Click the "Advanced Editing" menu.

4. Select "Typewriter."

5. Click once in the area of the PDF file where you want to add text. The Typewriter Tool allows you to type above and below existing lines of text in the PDF, not directly into them.

6. Type the new text you wish to add. The new text will be different from the existing text. You can only change the font size of the text inserted with the Typewriter Tool, as well as the spacing between the new and existing text.

   Text added using the Typewriter Tool will not wrap; rather, it will continue to the right and off the page. Be cautious of the space you have available. When you get near the end of your existing margin or page, you can hit the "Enter" key to begin a new line.

7. Save any changes before closing the PDF file.

Add Text to a PDF Using the Text Box Tool

1. Launch the PDF file to which you want to add text.

2. Click the "Comments" menu option.

3. Click the "Comment & Markup Tools" option.

4. Select "Text Box Tool."

5. Choose the area of the PDF file where you want to add the text box. Because you are creating a box, click once and hold the mouse button while dragging until you've reached the desired size. You can adjust the size of the box at any time by clicking on the outside of the box, moving your cursor to one of the small boxes on the outline of the text box, and clicking and holding the mouse button while dragging to adjust the size. To adjust the properties of the text box and the text inside it, right-click once on the outside of the box and select "Properties."

6. Save any changes before closing the PDF file.

References

• Adobe: Edit Text
• YouTube: How-To Edit PDF Text with Adobe Acrobat

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Adobe: Download a free trial of Acrobat X Pro