How to Highlight a PDF Document With Adobe Reader 9

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Highlight documents in Adobe Reader 9.

PDF files can contain lengthy documents. Using the highlight feature in Adobe Reader 9 helps organize notes and makes it easier to find important information. Adobe Reader 9 is a free PDF viewing program. Users can highlight, cross out or underline sections of any PDF document that allows comments. According to Adobe, Adobe Reader 9 is cross-platform with downloads available for Windows, Mac, Linux, Solaris and mobile devices. Adobe first released Reader 9 in 2008.

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Step 1

Open a PDF file in Adobe Reader 9.

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Step 2

Select "Document" in the top menu bar and choose "Security" and "Show Security Properties" from the drop-down menu.

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Step 3

Read the "Document Restrictions Summary." It will say "Commenting: Allowed" if the document settings allow you to highlight and comment on the PDF file. If it says "Commenting: Not Allowed," you cannot highlight and add comments to the PDF file. If it says "Content Copying: Allowed" you will be able to highlight a selection of text to copy and paste to another file.

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Highlight a PDF

Step 1

Click on "Tools" in the top menu bar. Select "Comment & Markups" and the "Highlight Text" tool. The highlight text tool is a square button that has the letter "T" inside that has been highlighted in yellow. It also has a yellow highlighter in the top left of the button.

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Step 2

Click and drag the mouse pointer over the section of text you wish to highlight. To highlight larger areas, press "Ctrl" on the keyboard, click with a mouse and drag to highlight an entire rectangular area of text.

Step 3

Save the PDF document so you can view your highlighting the next time you open the document.

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