To change the font in PDF documents, you should visit PDF.net, upload your document, select the text editor, and find and switch the existing font style to another one.
Changing fonts in PDFs makes your document neater, as using standard, clear, and non-decorative fonts can enhance its readability. Moreover, you can make a single file with different fonts uniform by changing them to one main font, which can also make it look more professional.
Since PDFs aren’t as easily editable as Word files, switching fonts can be tricky. But worry not because we are here to show you the most straightforward ways to do so and share tips for a smooth and efficient experience.
How to Change Font in a PDF Using PDF.net
To change the font in a PDF using PDF.net, use our PDF text editor by following the next steps:
#1. Visit the Website and Upload Your File
Go to PDF.net and click Edit text in the top left corner. Drag and drop your file into the box labeled Drop file here to edit or click Choose file to select it manually. The upload process will automatically be completed after this.
#2. Edit Font in PDF
Once the upload ends, a new window will open, showing your document with editable text fields. You can modify the PDF text by using fonts with different typeface variants (e.g., using Times New Roman instead of Courier, both of which are Serif typefaces). Additionally, you can change the font color, size, and style. Just click the text field you want to edit and select the text within the field.
The dot on the left, symbolizing the font color, will have the original text color (usually black), which you can click to choose between various other nuances if you want to change this. Beside the font color button, you will see the name of the current font, and clicking on it will allow you to switch to another one.
The size toolbar is next to the font type menu, showing the number, which you can decrease or increase to make the font smaller or bigger. On the right, you will see the B and I buttons, which you can use to change the PDF font style (bold and italicize text).
#3. Download Your Document
Lastly, you should save your newly edited file by clicking the Download button in the upper right corner. The automatic download process will last several seconds and store the file in your default download folder.
How to Convert PDF to Word or Excel and Change Font
To convert a PDF to Word or Excel and change the font, you need to use our PDF converter and designated offline programs.
This process is easy and requires minimal effort; here’s what you should do:
- Visit PDF.net and choose the PDF-to-Word or PDF-to-Excel conversion under the Convert menu.
- Upload your file using the drop-down menu or the Choose file button.
- Click Convert to DOCX (or Excel).
- Click Download to save your converted document.
- Double-click on your Word or Excel file to open it.
- Select the text, click the Font ribbon under the Home tab, and choose the new font.
- Use the Font ribbon to change color, size, and style.
What You Can and Can’t Change in PDFs
You can convert a PDF font to another one and change color, style, and size, but you may not be able to modify embedded PDF fonts.
First, you can change font type (e.g., switch from Sans-Serif to a handwritten font). Font type directly impacts the document’s readability, as different letter shapes can be easier or harder to understand.
In addition to using different font types, you can change the PDF font size. This can make the text fit the PDF pages and facilitate reading, as you can enlarge letters that are too small. Also, resizing letters is a much easier way to improve a document’s readability instead of using complex methods, such as font tracking or kerning, to adjust PDF font settings.
If you want to standardize your document, you can use the default black font color or decorate it by switching to warm colors. Similarly, you can emphasize important elements within the text by changing the font style (e.g., use bold and italics).
However, it is important to note that some documents do not have editable fonts. For instance, you may use a file with embedded fonts, which are not installed on your PDF reader, resulting in restricted editing (e.g., only being able to change font color).
3 Pro Tips for Changing PDF Fonts
When changing fonts in PDFs, it is essential to use readable fonts, be moderate while using decorative ones, and ensure that all readers can open such files.
Let’s examine these tips in more detail:
#1. Choose Readable Fonts
Choosing readable fonts is one of the most important things for having a clear and readable document. We know that there are numerous fonts with different typefaces and designs, but some may be difficult to read, especially if they are small.
Moreover, some fonts may be so distorted that it is almost impossible to read them. For this reason, we recommend using either standard or readable non-standard fonts. You can test the readability by using a PDF with unfamiliar content, changing the text font without previously looking at the content, and trying to read it for the first time.
#2. Do Not Overuse Decorative Fonts
Decorative fonts can make your text look more interesting, sophisticated, and polished. However, overusing them can also make your documents look more informal and casual and, therefore, less professional.
Even if your file is not official (e.g., a government form), overusing decorative fonts can also lower overall document readability. The reason for this is that letters can take on weird shapes because of all the curves and decorative elements.
#3. Flatten PDF for Uniformity
Some readers may be unable to open or render your new font correctly after changing it. To prevent this, you can flatten your PDF file. This will combine all different layers into one, ensuring that any reader can open and display the PDF text in its original form, regardless of the manufacturer or operating system.
This will also facilitate the sharing process, as merging layers can shrink PDFs. Still, as flattening is one of the ways to make your PDFs non-editable, we recommend making a copy of your original file before doing so.
Troubleshooting Common Issues When Changing Fonts in PDFs
As PDFs are not as editable as Word or similar text documents, font editing may also be unavailable for some documents. For instance, some PDF readers may only allow you to change font size and color, but not type. A typical cause of this is embedded fonts, which are not installed on your reader.
Another reason why you may not be able to edit text or change PDF fonts is font restrictions, which are common for certain fonts (e.g., Google fonts). Finally, your PDF may be a scanned image, meaning that you cannot select text or change the font.
Here are the most effective ways to resolve the above-mentioned issues:
- Convert your file. You can quickly convert a PDF to Word, which creates more editing opportunities and makes it easier for you to change the font. Once you are done, you can convert your document back from Word to PDF.
- Recreate your document. File recreation is a conversion alternative. All you should do is copy the contents from your PDF to a blank Word or similar text file, change fonts, and save it as a PDF (this only works for editable documents).
- Use an online reader instead of an offline one. Offline readers typically require additional installation to render specific fonts. In contrast, online readers such as PDF.net will automatically recognize numerous font variants, allowing you to change them.
- OCR your document. For non-selectable, image-based PDFs, you can use our OCR tool to make them searchable and editable, enabling you to change PDF fonts afterward.
Why Use PDF.net for Editing and Organizing Your PDF Files
You should use PDF.net for editing and organizing your PDF files because we provide quick, safe, and highly functional tools.
In addition to editing text in PDF and changing font, you can also shrink your documents using our compression tool if the new fonts make them too large. Our software offers lossless compression, preserving the PDF formatting and quality.
Moreover, you can highlight text in PDF, draw, and add comments and sticky notes to boost the proofing process or direct readers’ attention to specific parts of the file. Plus, placing a digital signature on your document with our sign PDF tool is another useful option, which helps you enhance your file's credibility.
Unlike some free PDF editors, we provide maximum security for your documents and data, as we use strong encryption, ensuring that only you can access your files. Lastly, our safety protocols involve deleting all your documents once you finish using our tools, which prevents misuse.
How to Change Font in PDFs FAQ
#1. Can I change the font in any PDF file?
Yes, you can change the font in any PDF file as long as it is standard and editable. On the other hand, you cannot do so in PDFs with embedded or restricted fonts or scanned-based ones.
#2. Why can’t I change the font in my PDF?
You can't change the font in your PDF as it may be embedded (requiring font installation for offline programs) or restricted. Your PDF may also be image-based, which you need to make editable using OCR technology.
#3. Can I change the font size and color in a PDF, too?
Yes, you can change the font size and color in a PDF using software such as PDF.net. Our tool allows you to select text and make it larger or smaller while also switching between various font colors.