PDF text wrapping adjusts your text to fit within defined spaces, such as a cell or column, and is rather important for formatting reports and presentations.
If you work with these types of PDF documents often, you should know how to wrap text and troubleshoot common issues that arise in the process, such as fixed fields and font sizes. In this guide, we will walk you through all the specific steps and teach you how to do so easily. Read on!
What Is PDF Text Wrap?
PDF text wrap is a function that keeps content nestled neatly within an object in the PDF instead of clashing or getting cut off. Thanks to it, you can still easily read your file regardless of the screen size. Additionally, on mobile devices, text wrapping can reduce the need for zooming in and out or scrolling horizontally, making a PDF more user-friendly.
Editing PDFs is also easier with PDF text wrap—for example, when you share files for others to fill in. If you send a PDF form with a properly set multiline text field, the person completing it can type longer responses, and the text will wrap automatically. This prevents content from getting truncated and eases collaboration.
Text wrapping happens automatically in Word and Google Docs, but in the PDF format, you need to set it up manually. The two main types of PDF text wrap are:
- PDF inline wrapping. Text flows within a paragraph or block of content.
- PDF text box wrapping. Text fits inside a designated box and wraps if there are multiple lines of content.
How to Wrap Text in PDF Using PDF.net
To wrap text in a PDF file using PDF.net, follow these steps:
1. Open your PDF by dragging and dropping it into the Drop file here to start box, or click Choose file and select it from your device.
2. Click Text on the toolbar at the top of the page to activate the text editing tools.
3. Hover over the file to identify text boxes, which are indicated by purple dashed lines. Click the one you want to adjust.
4. Type normally to add text. Drag the white bars on the right or left sides of the text box to adjust the PDF text box size.
5. Change the font and its size or style if needed for a better fit.
6. Click + Add text if you want to insert a new text box into your PDF. Simply select where you want it placed and start typing. To create a multiline PDF text box, press Enter to move to the next line.
7. Click Download in the top left corner to save your updated PDF.
How to Wrap Text in Word
To wrap text in Word, you should turn your PDF into a Word format first, which you can do with PDF.net’s PDF-to-Word converter tool by following these steps:
1. Open your PDF using the Drop file here to start box, or click Choose file and select it from your device. PDF.net will convert your file automatically, and a box like this will appear:
2. Select DOCX and then Convert to DOCX.
Once you open the document in Word, text wrapping will be automatically set for regular paragraphs. For images and text boxes, select Shape Format > Wrap Text > More Layout Options and customize the style:
Switch to the Size tab in the dialog box and set your values if you have multiple text boxes and want them to be the same size.
If you only have one text box, you can resize it easily by dragging its corners.
If you want to edit the text inside your text box, click Shape Format to see all your options.
For example, you can edit the PDF text alignment by selecting Align Text and choosing Top, Middle, or Bottom alignment.
How to Fix PDF Text Wrapping Issues
Fixing PDF text wrapping issues helps you avoid cut-off sentences, text boxes, and layouts that look unprofessional. Most problems stem from the way text boxes are set up, the font size you choose, or whether the document is a scanned image.
Let's learn how to deal with them:
#1. Replacing Fixed-Width Text Boxes
Replacing fixed-width text boxes is one of the easiest ways to fix wrapping issues when you insert text in PDF forms and templates. Many PDFs, especially older ones, use single-line fields that do not allow text to wrap. As a result, any content that goes beyond the box width may get cut off.
To fix this, switch to a multiline PDF text box, and don’t forget to test it by typing a sentence or two to make sure the text wraps correctly.
#2. Editing Font Size and Line Spacing
Editing font size and line spacing is another effective way to fix PDF text wrapping issues. If your text is scrunched up in a box or overflowing, adjusting the font and spacing can help. Here is how to format text in a PDF:
- Open your file in PDF.net, select Text, and click the text box you want to adjust.
- Use the font size dropdown to choose a smaller size.
- Increase the line spacing if the lines are too close together or overlapping; this makes the text easier to read.
- Change the font to a clean option, such as Arial or Helvetica, if you are currently using a decorative style. Sans-serif fonts are typically better for text-heavy and tight layouts.
- Type longer sentences to see how the text wraps to test the changes.
#3. OCR for Scanned PDFs with Wrapping Issues
Using OCR for scanned PDFs is essential when you need to edit or wrap text in files saved as images. Scanned PDFs do not contain selectable text, so trying to adjust or format them directly will not work.
After you convert the images into editable text with OCR, you can replace any fixed-width boxes with multiline ones, adjust the font size and spacing to improve readability, and save your PDFs again.
If you can’t edit the converted images directly, copy and paste the now-selectable text into Word, text wrap your content, and then re-export as a PDF. If you don’t have the option to save a file as PDF in your MS Word, use the PDF-to-Word converter tool to do it in just a few seconds.
4 Tips for Better PDF Text Formatting
Good PDF text formatting makes your files easier to read and more professional across devices. Here are four tips to help you maintain it:
#1. Use Grid or Guide Tools
Grid and guide tools help you align text boxes and elements accurately, without relying solely on visual inspection. So, be sure to use these tools when adding text boxes to PDFs and keep everything evenly spaced and organized. Otherwise, your PDFs might look crooked and cluttered, which can reduce their credibility and potentially cause confusion.
#2. Align Text Elements with Margins
Aligning text elements with consistent margins makes your PDF easier to read and gives it a polished, professional look. When you insert or edit text in a PDF file, be sure to position your text boxes so they line up evenly with your left and right margins.
This helps create a clean flow from section to section and prevents text from running too close to the page edges. If you skip this step, your layout can distract readers from your content, so to avoid this, use alignment tools to maintain visual consistency across the entire PDF.
#3. Use Readable Fonts and Appropriate Sizes
Using readable fonts and appropriate sizes prevents PDF text wrapping and readability issues. It is best to choose simple sans-serif fonts like Arial, Calibri, and Helvetica, which display well on both paper and screen.
Avoid decorative or display fonts, as they take up more space and can be hard on the eyes. A font size of at least 12 points is usually recommended for readability, but you can adjust this based on your PDF's purpose and audience.
#4. Keep the Layout Responsive for Viewing on Different Devices
Keeping the layout responsive for viewing on different devices helps your PDF stay readable and professional on phones, tablets, and desktops. You should avoid fixed-width text boxes or large images that force people to scroll side to side.
When possible, test your PDF on a variety of devices and PDF readers to see how your text displays. This way, you’ll make sure the paragraphs flow correctly, the text remains within the margins, and the fonts remain legible on small screens.
Wrap, Format, and Finalize Your Files Easily With PDF.net
If you are tired of PDFs that cut off content or force everything onto a single line, PDF.net can help.
Text overflow in PDFs can be fixed by changing fonts and spacing for better readability, as well as making sure every paragraph wraps neatly. With built-in tools for PDF annotating, editing, resizing text boxes, and converting to Word, you get full control over how your file looks and reads.
Additionally, you can easily format reports, forms, contracts, and PDF templates that are clean, readable, and ready to share. Create your account at PDF.net and take the frustration out of formatting today!
Final Thoughts
Now that you know how to wrap text in a PDF, fix layout issues, and clean up formatting with PDF.net, you no longer have to deal with messy files. A few simple tweaks, like adjusting fonts, resizing boxes, or converting to Word, can completely change how your PDF looks and feels.
Additionally, remember that, if your file still needs some polishing, you can always open it in PDF.net and let our tools do the job for you!
PDF Text Wrap FAQs
#1. How to cover text on a PDF?
To cover text on a PDF, you can add an image over it, draw over it, or delete it entirely using PDF.net. Upload your PDF, then click Image, Draw, or Text on the toolbar at the top of the page.
- For Image, place a rectangle in a color that matches your PDF’s background.
- For Draw, select a suitable stroke thickness and color, then draw over the content.
- For Text, hover over the content you want to remove, click on it to activate editing mode, and press Delete on your keyboard.
#2. How do I make text go to the next line in a fillable PDF?
To make text go to the next line in a fillable PDF, open the file in PDF.net, select Text on the toolbar at the top of the page, select the text box, and click Enter on your keyboard.
#3. How do I make sure text wraps automatically?
To make sure text wraps automatically, convert your PDF to Word, check if your wrapping settings are correct, then re-save the Word file as a PDF. This helps preserve proper line breaks and ensures your text does not overlap or run off the page.
#4. What is the best way to fit long text if it will not wrap?
The best way to fit long text if it will not wrap is to reduce the font size or resize the text box to create more space. You can also adjust line spacing to fit longer text without overflow. If needed, split the content into separate text boxes.