How to Write in a PDF: Methods and Software Guide

PDF writing guide for all platforms. Step-by-step instructions for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. Edit PDFs on any device easily.
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Key Takeaways

It can be boring trying to write in a PDF document, especially if you don't know the right tools. Whether it's adding a signature, annotating, or simply filling out a form, writing in a PDF can be much easier if you know how to do it.

In this article, we are going to show you the easiest ways to write in a PDF. We'll offer you the best PDF writing tools for any device.

Write to a PDF file

1. Adobe Acrobat Reader (for all devices)

Pricing

  • Acrobat Pro DC: $14.99/month to be paid annually
  • Acrobat PDF Pack: $9.99/month to be paid annually

Adobe allows you to add a signature and fill out PDF forms for free, but to add text to the PDF, you need to be a Pro user.

Follow these steps to add text to a PDF on Windows:

  • Download and install the Adobe Acrobat player.
  • Select the file you want to add text to.
  • Click on Edit PDF.
  • Add text where you want it.
  • Export the PDF when you're done.
Visit Adobe Acrobat Reader

2. Google Docs (for all devices)

Google Docs is perhaps the easiest way to edit and save PDF files on all platforms.

Follow these steps to write in a pdf:

  • Access Google Drive
  • Click on New
  • Select Google Docs
Select Google Docs
  • Go to file
  • Select Open
  • Click on the cross sign to access all file formats.
Click on the Cross sign
  • Select the PDF file you want to add text to.
  • Click on Open
  • It will open in a new tab.
  • Click Open with.
  • Select Google Docs.
Select Google Docs
  • When you're done, go to Files.
  • Select Download
  • Click on the PDF document.
Visit Google Docs

How do I write in a PDF online?

Are you wondering how to write in a PDF without downloading an application? Here is your response.

Below are some tools for writing in PDF format:

1) pdfFiller.

pdfFiller allows you to edit a PDF document in any way possible. The most interesting aspect of this tool is the fact that you don't need to download additional software to get the job done.

The editing on pdfFiller is done entirely online. With pdfFiller, you'll be able to create checkboxes, add dropdown lists, and add a fillable form that can be filled out with text, photos, dates, and signatures.

Here's how to add text to your PDF using pdfFiller:

  • Go to the pdfFiller website
  • Download or import the document you want to add text to.
  • Once downloaded, the PDF editor opens
  • At the top, you'll find the text option. Select it and you will be able to write anywhere in the document.
pdfFiller
  • Use the formatting tools available to you to adjust text size, font, and color.
Formatting Tools
  • Just click on the “Done” button when you're done.
  • You can download the amended document from the “My Document” page.

2) Soda PDF.

Follow these steps to use Soda PDF to write to a PDF.

  • Go to the Soda PDF website
  • Create an account or log in
  • Click on Online Tools
online tools
  • Select PDF Editor.
PDF Editor
  • Click on Choose File
Choose File
  • Upload the PDF file you want to edit
  • Click on Edit
  • Add text
  • Click on Save
Edit PDF file

3) Small PDF.

Small PDF offers numerous functions for PDFs. Follow these steps to write in a PDF:

  • Go to the website.
  • Go to the Most Popular PDF Tools option.
  • Click on Edit PDF.
Edit PDF
  • Upload the PDF file you want to edit
Upload the PDF file
  • Click T to add a text box.
  • This will open a floating text box that you can move to where you want to write in your PDF.
  • Add the text and press the enter key.
  • Click Download to download the new PDF with the text added.
download the new PDF with added text

4) PDF2Go.

PDF2GO is another website that allows you to write in PDFs.

Let's see how to write in a PDF:

  • Go to the website.
  • Click on Edit PDF.
Edit PDF
  • Select the PDF file you want to write on
Select the PDF file you want to type on
  • Click on the Text option.
  • Then click where you want to add the text.
  • You will see a dialog box, type your text into it.
  • Click Save as.
  • Select Save.
Select Save

5) PDFescape.

PDFescape is a wonderful tool if you are wondering how to write in a PDF. There is an online option and an application for Windows. We found it easier to use it online.

Here are the steps to follow to write in the PDF:

  • Go to the website.
  • Click on Free Online
Click on Free Online
  • You can download the document from your device or use the URL
upload the document from your device
  • Select the PDF file you want to add text to.
  • Go to the Text option.
  • Click on the document where you want to add the text.
  • Add the text.
  • Click Save.
Click on Save

6) Sejda.

Sejda is an extremely easy to use online tool for adding text to PDFs. Its clean interface is very user-friendly and easy to navigate.

The steps include:

  • Go to the website.
  • Click on Edit PDF.
Click on Edit a PDF Document
  • Upload the PDF document you want to add text to.
Upload your PDF document
  • Click on the Text option.
  • Double-click where you want to add the text.
  • Choose your font and styles.
  • Type your text.
  • Click Apply Changes.
Click on Apply Changes
  • When your document is ready, you can download it by clicking on the Download option.

How do I write to a PDF on Windows?

1) MS Word.

Have you ever thought that you could use MS Word to add text to a PDF?

Here's how to enter a PDF using MS Word:

  • Go to the PDF file you want to add text to.
  • Right click on it.
  • Select MS Word.
  • If you don't see it in the option.
  • Click on Choose the default program.
Choose Default Program
  • If you still can't find MS Word, click More Options.
Click on More Options
  • Click on MS Word.
Click on MS Word
  • Click OK on the warning message.
  • Your PDF will open in Word.
  • Add text to the document.
  • Click Save as.
  • Select the PDF.

2) IceCream PDF Editor.

Pricing

  • PDF Editor PRO- $49 95

You can use the free version of this Windows application to add text to the PDF as follows:

  • Go to the website.
  • Click on “Free Download.”
  • Install the IceCream PDF editor.
  • Click on Open
Click on Open
  • Select the document you want to add text to.
  • Click Edit
  • Select text.
  • Double-click where you want to add text.
Double click where you want to add text
  • Add the text.
  • Click the Save As icon or go to File, select Save As to save your edited PDF.

You can also annotate your PDF file using the Annotate option in the application.

How do I write to a PDF on Mac?

1) Review.

Preview is an application built into the Mac that you can use to add text to the PDF by following the steps below:

  • Hold down the Control key on your Mac keyboard.
  • Click on the PDF you want to add text to.
  • Go to Open with.
  • Select Preview.
Select Preview
  • In the preview, click on the PenPoint icon to launch the markup toolbar.
launch the Markup Toolbar
  • Click on T.
  • An area Of text appears, add your text to it.
  • You can use the A icon to change the fonts, color, size, etc. of the text.
change the fonts, color, size, etc of the text
  • Save the PDF

2) PDF Expert.

Pricing

  • PDF Expert (1 license for 3 Macs) - $79.99

Wondering how to add text to a PDF on Mac on the go? PDF Expert is the answer to that question.

  • Download and install PDF Expert on your Mac.
  • Hold down the Control key and click on the PDF file you want to add text to.
  • Click Annotate.
Annotate
  • Click on the Text button
Click on Text Button
  • Click where you want to add the text.
  • Type and save.

How do I write to a PDF on Android and IOS?

1) Adobe Fill and Sign.

Adobe Fill and Sign is a user-friendly application for Android that you can use to add text to PDFs.

Follow these steps to write in the PDF:

  • Download and install the application.
  • Click the Plus icon to add the PDF you want to work with.
add the PDF file
  • Double-click anywhere in the document to add text.
  • Click A to choose font style, color, etc.
choose font style, color, etc
  • Click the share icon to save and share the new PDF file.

=> Visit the Adobe Fill and Sign website

2) Mark Up (for iOS).

Mark Up is a feature built into iOS that lets you do a lot of things, including adding text to the PDF.

Here's how to add text to a PDF on the iPhone using the Mark Up feature:

  • Open the PDF
  • Click on the pen icon in the top right corner.
Click on the Pen Icon
  • The annotation toolbar appears at the bottom.
  • You'll see items like a pen, pencil, eraser, highlighter, ruler, selection tool, text field, etc.
Mark-Up toolbar
  • Click on the plus icon.
  • Select text.
  • Tap on the box to bring up the menu.
  • Click Edit
  • Type the text.
  • Select Done
  • Click Save.

3) PDF Element.

Pricing

  • PDF Element Pro Yearly: $34.99
  • Quarterly: $9.99
  • Monthly: $4.99

PDF Element PDF Editor is an easy to use application for iPhone and iPad.

Here's how to add text to a PDF on the iPad:

  • Download and install the application.
  • Go to the plus icon.
  • Click on Files.
Click on Files
  • Select the PDF you want to add text to.
  • Click on T, the Text option, to add text.
  • Tap where you want to add the text.
Tap on where you want to add the text
  • Click on the “Save” option in the left corner to save your document.

However, you can edit the PDF, to save it you will need to upgrade to the Pro version.

FAQs

How do I fill out a PDF form on my PC?

Select the PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader, click Fill and Sign. Then select Fill and Sign again, double-click where you want to fill out the forms, and type. Click Next and select Save.

Why can't I write in PDF forms?

This may be due to your browser's default viewer. Try opening them with Google Docs, Acrobat Reader DC, or sites that allow you to write in PDF forms.

How do I convert PDFs to Google Docs?

Go to Google Docs, click on File, select Open and click on the cross next to the document option in the search bar to access all file formats. Select the PDF you want to convert to Doc, it will open in a new tab, click the Open With button, and select Google Docs.

You will now be able to open the PDF file in Doc. Click File Options and go to Downloads to save it in your preferred file format.

How do I convert a PDF to a Doc file?

You can use Google Docs to convert PDFs to Doc files. Open your PDF file with Google Docs, then download it as a Doc.

Can I write in a PDF for free?

Yes, it is possible. There are lots of online sites and applications that allow you to write in a PDF for free. Check out Smallpdf, PDFescape. Sejda, etc. You can also try Google Docs and Acrobat reader.

Conclusion

Writing in a PDF isn't as hard as it used to be. Today, there are tools that can help you fill out a PDF form and write on it. Try using the tools that come with the operating system, or choose only reliable websites and applications.

Google Docs and Adobe Reader DC are the easiest ways to enter PDFs, but you can also use websites like Smallpdf and Sejda for the same purpose.

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