How to Type in a PDF on Windows, Mac, Android & iPhone

PDF has become the go-to standard for document sharing across various platforms. However, there might be times when you need to make changes to a PDF, like correcting a typo, adding new information, or annotating for feedback. 

Editing a PDF might seem daunting, but with the right tools and a bit of know-how, it becomes a breeze. Whether you’re on a desktop or mobile, many tools can help you modify your PDF documents. This guide will quickly walk you through editing and typing on a PDF.

Universal Methods: Windows & MacOS

These tools are universal across Windows and macOS, so if you are looking for a solution that works on both platforms, these are the right choice to edit and type in a PDF.

1. Sejda (Universal Website)

Sejda is a user-friendly, web-based platform that offers PDF editing features. Here’s how to harness its capabilities.

1. Navigate to Sejda website using your preferred browser.
2. Locate and click on the “Upload” button to select your PDF File.
   

   

3. Once uploaded, you’ll be presented with a range of tools. You can add text, insert images, create annotations and much more.
   

   

4. After making your desired changes, click on the “Apply Changes” and then the “Download” button to retrieve your PDF.

2. Adobe Acrobat (Universal Tool)

Adobe Acrobat is a powerhouse when it comes to PDF editing and creation. You can even use it to compress a PDF. It’s the most popular dedicated app for working with PDFs on desktop; it’s available on both Mac and Windows. 

1. Launch Adobe Acrobat and open the desired PDF file by clicking on “Menu” then “Open.
2. Navigate to the “Tools” pane and select “Edit PDF.”
   

   

3. A new toolbar will appear, providing options to edit text, images, and other elements.
4. After making your edits, click on “Menu” then “Save As” to save your edited PDF to keep the changes.
   

   

How to Type in a PDF on Windows

If you’re on Windows and want a dedicated app to edit PDFs regularly, there’s a solid somewhat-native solution available. You can easily navigate, edit, and type in PDF using Microsoft Word.

1. Microsoft Word (Built-In Tool)

Microsoft Word allows you to edit your PDF without downloading additional software like Adobe Acrobat. It has an intuitive interface enabling advanced users to edit their documents in every way imaginable.

1. Launch Microsoft Word and navigate to “File” > “Open.”
2. Browse your files and select the PDF you wish to edit.
3. A prompt will notify you that Word will convert the PDF into an editable format. Accept and proceed.
   

   

4. Once Word converts the file into a compatible file, you can edit the PDF like any standard Word file.
5. After you are done editing and want to save your changes, navigate to “File” > “Save As,” choose “.PDF” format and press on “Save.”
   

   

Read More: How to Convert a Word Document to PDF

How to Type in a PDF in macOS

With macOS’ easy-to-navigate interface and powerful built-in tools such as Preview and Quick Look, these apps offer users a streamlined approach to modifying PDFs on the Mac.

1. Preview

Preview is the default application on macOS for viewing images and PDFs. It offers basic editing and annotation tools, making it a versatile tool for Mac users.

1. In Finder, double-click your desired PDF, which should open in the default Preview app.
   

   

2. In Preview, click the “Show Markup Toolbar” button (resembling a toolbox) or use the hotkeys Shift + Command + A.
   

   

3. This lets you add annotations, signatures, and other elements to your PDF.
4. Press Command + S to save your annotations.
   

   

2. Quick Look

MacOS’s Quick Look provides a swift and efficient way to view and annotate PDFs and even allows you to crop the PDF.

1. In Finder, select the PDF and press the spacebar. Pressing the space bar will open the file in Quick Look instead of Preview.
   

   

2. To edit your PDF, you need to enable the “Markup Toolbar” If not visible, click “Show Markup Toolbar” near the “Share” button in the top right.
   

   

3. Most tools are similar to Preview, but Quick Look also offers the “Crop Tool” which allows you to crop the PDF like an image.
   

   

4. Click “Done” in the top right to apply changes and save your document.

Read More: The 13 Best macOS Terminal Commands

Universal Methods: Android & iOS

It is worth mentioning that Android phones generally do not have any built-in support for editing PDFs, so we have to resort to websites or apps when editing a PDF. Due to the nature of Android, some manufacturers might include support for this feature in varying forms but no native option exists.

However, Samsung does have a built-in app called “Samsung Notes,” which does allow you to edit a PDF. There’s also an official guide from Samsung directly on how to open PDFs (and edit them) in Notes, in case you own a Samsung Galaxy device. 

iOS, on the other hand, offers the Files built-in app for editing PDFs, which we will dive into in the next section.

1. Xodo Docs (Universal App)

Xodo Docs is a feature-rich PDF editor tailored for mobile devices. It’s easy to use and available on both Android and iPhone; you can download it using the buttons below.

1. Install and open the Xodo Docs app.
2. Tap on the “+” icon or “Open File” to import your PDF.
   

   

3. A toolbar will appear, offering a plethora of editing tools. You can annotate, highlight, and even draw on your PDF.
   

   

   
   
    
4. Exporting your edited PDF is straightforward. All you have to do is tap on the three-dots icon on the top right and press on “Export.”
   

   

2. PDFelement (Universal App)

PDFelement is another app that offers a seamless PDF editing experience on mobile. It’s a bit more modern than our previous option but still available on either Android or iOS.

1. Download and launch the PDFelement app.
2. Press on the “+” icon in order to open your PDF.
   

   

3. Another “+” button or icon will be prominently displayed. Tap on it.
4. Here you can select to either annotate, sign or edit your PDF.
   
    

   

5. In order to export your edited PDF, press on the three horizontal “dots” in the top right corner and press on “Save A Copy.”

3. Canva (Universal Website / App)

While Canva is renowned for essentially revolutionizing online graphic design, it’s also a competent PDF editor. It has dedicated apps for Android and iOS, but their website also adapts to the mobile interface quite well.\

1. Access Canva, either through the app or website, and log in.
2. Navigate to the “Upload” section and select your PDF.
   

   

3. Canva’s intuitive interface will allow you to modify the text, add images, and even incorporate design elements into your PDF.
4. After you are done editing, press on the export icon on the top right corner, and press on the “Download” button.
   

   

How to Type in a PDF on iPhone

If you do not want to install a secondary app in order to edit PDFs on your iPhone or iPad then simply launch Apple’s own built-in Files app, which will allow you to perform basic edits such as annotating and drawing on a PDF.

1. Files App (Native App)

Apple’s Files app is more than just a file manager for your Apple devices. It can also serve as a rudimentary PDF editor.

1. Open the “Files” app and browse to your desired PDF.
   

   

2. Once opened, swipe right from the left edge of the screen to reveal the editing tools. These will be familiar if you’ve used the Markup Tools on Mac.
   

   

3. Utilize the markup tools to add annotations, highlights, or even doodles to your PDF. As you can see, we added a simple text box with green text in the screenshot below.
   

   

Conclusion

Editing and typing in PDFs across various platforms has never been more accessible. Whether you’re on Windows, macOS, or a mobile device, the tools and techniques available today ensure you can easily modify your documents. From built-in solutions to dedicated apps for professional users, this guide covered the best options out there and if you have your own suggestions, feel free to leave ’em in the comments below!