If you want to type or add text on a PDF file, you can use online software like PDF.net, which allows you to upload your document, select the area you want to type in, enter the text, click away to save edits, and download your file.
Typing on PDF documents means that you are automatically editing your files. To enter new text, edit the font style, size, and color, remove the unwanted text, and fill empty pages or areas with text, you can use our PDF editor, which features all the aforementioned options.
Read on to find out how to type on a PDF file and fill PDF forms online using advanced features, as well as how to fix the most common errors that may arise during this process.
How to Type on a PDF File Using PDF.net Tool
To type on a PDF file using the PDF.net tool, you have to upload your document, add text and/or apply edits to added or existing text, and download your file.
Let’s find out more about these steps:
#1. Go to Our Website and Upload Your File
The first step is to go to our website and click the Edit text button in the header. Next, upload your PDF document by dragging it to the box labeled Drop file here to edit or pressing the Choose file button and selecting your file manually.
#2. Use the Available Tools to Type and Edit Text
After upload, your document will open automatically with the Text option already enabled in the top menu. Our PDF tool will recognize text on the PDF document and allow you to click any areas with text on the page.
After you select the area to edit, an additional menu will appear, allowing you to choose the font color, type, and size, and to bold or italicize the text.
You can delete text by selecting the text area, pressing the delete key, or clicking the trash bin icon. Finally, you can delete the entire batch of text after clicking it and using the trash bin icon or delete keyboard button without text highlighting.
#3. Save Edits and Download Your Document
Once you have finished editing, you need to save the changes by simply clicking on the margins of your document or anywhere else outside the document. Then, you can download your PDF file by pressing the Download button in the upper right corner.
3 Tips For Adding Text to PDF Files
If you’ve ever asked yourself: ‘How can I type on a PDF document efficiently?’, the answer is to consider the technical aspects of editing PDF documents.
Let’s check the top three tips on how to add text to a PDF online:
#1. Keep the Copy of Your Original File
Whether you wish to add notes to PDF or add/edit text, we highly recommend creating a copy of your original document, as you may need to refer to it in the future.
Additionally, making and keeping a copy of the original document can prevent your file from getting damaged or corrupt. The same applies to unwanted edits you may mistakenly make.
#2. Adjust and Use the Proper Font
Using the font that fits the existing one or adapting the existing font to your newly added text font helps your text formatting stay neat.
To type in a PDF file without changing the font, copy the text with the desired font quality, paste it into the box you want to type in and continue typing. The pasted text will be detected and kept consistent as you proceed to type.
Of course, you can also adjust your font manually by using the toolbar options to change font style, size, and color.
#3. Watch for Layout Changes
Layout changes can occur when you add, edit, or highlight text or annotate PDFs, mostly unintentionally. For instance, you may mistakenly resize the text box, make the font larger, and misalign the text on one or more pages.
For this reason, we recommend checking your document for potential layout changes. One way to do so is to use your software's print preview option. If your edits on one page keep changing the layout of others, we suggest extracting the page, making edits, and then merging it with the rest of the document.
How to Fill Out PDF Forms with PDF.net
To fill out PDF forms with PDF.net, you must choose the option for text adding or editing, upload your file, click on the fields button, choose the field type, place it in the document, and type in the new text.
Let’s examine the steps on how to fill out a PDF in detail:
#1. Open the Toolbar and Find the Fill Out Option
Once you enter our website, you can choose any feature (annotation, signing, rearranging pages, etc.) to open the main toolbar. Afterward, you should click on the in-built Field toolbar button.
#2. Create and Fill Out Fields
When you click on the Field button, a new toolbar for creating widgets will appear. For those wondering ‘how do I type on a PDF file on my computer by adding new fields,’ the answer is to click Create Text Widget in the field toolbar.
Next, you need to position the text box on the page and resize it by moving the cursor to the box edge, pressing the small double arrow icon, and moving the box borders.
After placing the box, you can also change the text field style (rotation, opacity, fill color, border color, etc.) and adjust the text style (font style, color, size, and vertical and horizontal alignment). Finally, you should click the Select tool in the toolbar, select the text box, and add text.
#3. Save, Download, and Submit Your File
To save your new fields and edits in them, click outside the text box. Then, download your file by pressing the Download button in the upper right corner. The PDF document will be ready for submission on your drive (e.g., submission via email or social media).
Troubleshooting Common Issues When Typing on a PDF File
Now, let’s dive deeper into the most common issues of typing on PDFs and tips to resolve them:
#1. Being Unable to Edit or Type on PDF Files
There are several reasons why someone cannot edit or type on PDF files, most of which revolve around restrictions and software quality and type.
Let’s examine those issues carefully and see how you can solve them:
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Not having administrative rights | Export the file in another format, edit it, and save it again as PDF, or use a reliable PDF editor to gain access to editing options. |
| Using protected files | Remove security using offline software or online tools (e.g., PDF.net) capable of unlocking PDFs with different encryption. |
| Having read-only software | Replace your read-only software with one that features the editing option. |
| Trying to type on or edit corrupted documents | Rescan your PDF file using advanced PDF tools (pay attention to scan parameters such as DPI) or look for the same uncorrupted version of the document. |
#2. Garbled or Distorted Text
If you're asking yourself, ''How do I edit text on a PDF file without distortions?'', the answer is to use a high-quality tool to add or edit text. However, sometimes, even when you use such tools, you may encounter the same problem. If that happens, here is how you can troubleshoot garbled text:
- Find and install the missing fonts. If you are using offline PDF software, it’s important to find the installation source and add the font your software lacks. This will enable your reader to render fonts currently and display texts with clarity.
- Adjust the encoding settings. You can set your encoding preferences by entering the general settings in your reader and enabling features such as smooth text and enhanced lines.
- Clear cache. Prolonged use of a PDF reader may lead to numerous cache elements that obstruct the rendering process. To resolve this, clear cache within the document settings.
- Use another reader. If you’ve tried all the methods above and none seem to work, you can simply use a different reader for your PDFs while ensuring that it is secure.
#3. Cut-Offs and Overlapping Text
Text cut-offs and overlaps usually appear in newly edited PDFs due to the bad formatting of the original file or misalignment during the editing process.
Specifically, using the best PDF tool instead of free PDF editor tools to add or edit text may be in vain if the source file formatting is untidy. On the other hand, you may mistakenly use a font that is not embedded or disrupt formatting with PDF forms that are too wide or large.
You can address these issues in two ways—align the document formatting immediately or after changing its format. Sometimes, it is easier to convert a PDF to Word, make the formatting neat, and then convert the document back to PDF.
These are the most important reformatting tips:
- Improve layout (margins, headers, footers, etc.)
- Use consistent spacing
- Avoid using uncommon font formats
- Save your document with the proper settings
How Can PDF.net Assist You in Perfecting Your PDFs
PDF.net can assist you in perfecting your PDFs by offering you high-end tools to add text, fill out forms, and edit text.
These procedures are simple and include the following steps:
- Opening the tool for adding text or PDF text editor
- Uploading your document
- Selecting the text areas you wish to edit or add text to/Using the Field option to create fillable forms
- Saving the changes
- Downloading your file
If you want to align your document formatting but need to change the file type beforehand, you can use one of our highly functional converter tools, such as PDF to Word converter, among others.
How to Type on a PDF File FAQ
#1. Can I type on a PDF without editing software?
No, you cannot type on a PDF without editing software. While online or offline editing PDF software is necessary for typing, this doesn’t mean online tools such as PDF.net are difficult to use.
#2. Can I edit text after typing on a PDF?
Yes, you can edit text after typing on a PDF. Most tools (including PDF.net) have an in-built feature allowing you to change font style, size, and color once you enter the text.
#3. Are there any restrictions on typing in a PDF?
There may be restrictions on typing in a PDF if its creator made it ready-only or protected it with a password. Luckily, you can use online tools like PDF.net to unlock such files and remove typing restrictions.
#4. Can I fill out forms in a PDF file?
Yes, you can fill out forms in a PDF file with PDF.net. Select the option to edit or add text, press the Field button, create the form, and place your text there.
#5. How do I change the font or text size while typing on a PDF?
To change the font or text size while typing on a PDF, you should click the font number button in the toolbar and type in the new font number. Once you set the font number, you need to save the changes.
#6. Is PDF.net secure for editing and saving PDFs?
Yes, PDF.net is secure for editing and saving PDFs. Our software protects your documents with encryption, and we delete all the files from the cloud after you have finished using the services.