Editing a PDF file is one of the most useful skills that you can acquire. When your work directly involves annotating, editing, checking, and approving any type of paperwork, knowing how to deal with PDF files is a necessity. In this article, we’ve collated the best ways to edit a PDF file:

Through MS Word

How to edit a PDF file through MS Word, you may ask? Well, it’s quite easy. You just have to open the file through MS Word, wait for it to load then use the editing tools that appear. While you can readily edit text through it, when you have a graphics-heavy or picture laden file, MS Word may not be able to render it effectively. So always exercise caution when using it.

Use the “Edit Text” menu option to edit, delete, or replace text. You can also change the font, alignment, and color of it. In some PDF files, you can’t directly edit the text because of restrictions, but you can always crush out text and add them on top. The “Comment” menu is especially helpful when you just want to go through the file and recommend necessary edits.

Through Adobe Acrobat XI Pro

One of the most powerful apps to ever grace PDF editing, this paid app is packed full of features in editing PDF files that you may not want to use any other program again once you’ve used this one. With the XI Pro, you not only have the ability to open and edit any type of PDF file, but you can also create, sign, and validate access for any device.

But the XI Pro is not without its limits. One of the most glaring is that it can’t convert a word document to PDF, and it can’t export other Adobe files like Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign to become PDF files either. It’s expensive as well, so if you’re not buying it because of business, or won’t be using it professionally, you are better off using other programs.

Through Apple Preview

Mac’s Preview is its default PDF and Image viewer. Not only is it a clean and straightforward program to edit PDFs, but it also is intuitive enough for heavy annotation. With Preview, you can sign a PDF easily, add comments, highlight text, and even add special instructions. Unfortunately for Windows users, you can’t separately download Preview as an app. It’s native to the Mac OS system.

To add text, you only need to place the cursor where you want to edit. Then type away after going to “Tools”, then “Annotate”, then “Text”. The “Markup Toolbar” carries a set of powerful editing tools that you can use to change your document’s look further. If you want to add a text box, you can do so as well by taking it out of the toolbar.

Through Google Docs

Google Docs is perfect when you are working with several people online. A shared document is the best way to collaborate, put in new ideas, and edit each other’s work. To open a PDF file through Google Docs, you need to have access to the file first. Once that’s done, open the file through Google Docs then edit. While the online word processing tool has limited capabilities, it can do basic things like sign, edit, add text, etc.

Takeaway

Suffice it to say that there are numerous ways of editing a PDF file. Knowing the tricks is convenient but it still will heavily depend on the app or operating system that you are currently working from. For example, if you are editing from a smartphone, chances are Google Docs is the best way to go. If it’s on the desktop, apps like the Adobe Acrobat and Acrobat Reader are top pics. When you’re online, Google Docs is king.