In this article, you'll learn how to add text to a PDF document, whether on PC, Mac, iOS or Android devices. The Mac's “Preview” app allows text annotations and signatures to be embedded in any PDF, while on Windows and Android, installing Adobe Acrobat DC (free of charge) will give you the option to put such information into documents. Finally, on the iPhone or iPad, just access the Tagging tool, which is similar to the one used on the Mac, without the need to install other applications.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Using “Preview” on Mac
Step 1. Open a PDF in the “Preview” application
Just double-click on the document, or open the program (an icon of a superimposed photo), access “File” > “Open”, choose the PDF and click on “Open”.
Step 2. Click on any space to type in a fillable PDF
When it has a fillable form and you have no way to use special editing tools, just click on any area where you can type or write (usually marked by lines or a text box) and compose the text. However, if nothing appears, continue reading the Method.
Step 3. Click on a pencil icon in the toolbar (top of the screen)
The Bookmark app bar will appear.
This toolbar can also be accessed by entering the “View” menu and choosing to “Show Markup Toolbar”
Step 4. Press the T button to open text mode
Step 5. Click where you want to place the text box
The word "Text" will appear inside it.
The box can be dragged to another location if you like
Step 6. Click A on the Markup toolbar to customize the font
It is possible to change the size, color and type, that is, give a different “face” to the text.
- Change fonts by clicking the “Fonts” drop-down menu.
- Select the colored rectangle to change the text color.
- Click on the number to change the font size.
- Check “B” to make the text bold, “i” for italics or “U” to underline it.
- Use the buttons at the bottom of the dialog to set the alignment.
Step 7. Double-click Text
With that, you will be able to enter what you want in the box.
Step 8. Compose the text to be added to the PDF
Step 9. Place a signature (optional)
If the PDF is a form that needs to be signed, use Preview to add your signature. Follow the steps below:
- Click on a signature icon in cursive lettering on the toolbar.
- Choose "Create subscription".
- Define whether it will be created with the trackpad, webcam or iPhone.
- Use the trackpad or iPhone to trace the signature as shown on the screen, or sign a white piece of paper and scan it with the webcam.
- Click "Finish" to save the signature.
- Select your signature and drag it to where it should appear.
Step 10. Click on the File menu and then on To save.
All changes made to the PDF will be stored.
Method 2 of 4: Using Adobe Reader DC on a PC or Mac
Step 1. Open Adobe Reader DC on a Mac or Windows computer
Free, this app, once installed, should appear in the “Start” menu (PC) or in the “Applications” folder (macOS).
If you don't have Adobe Reader DC yet, download it here. It can be used on Windows, Mac and Android devices
Step 2. Click on the Tools tab
It will be at the top of the screen.
Step 3. Choose Fill & Sign
This option is represented by a pencil icon in the upper left corner of the app.
Step 4. Select the PDF
Click on the blue “Select File” button in the middle of the window, navigate to the desired document and choose “Open”.
Step 5. Find the blue Fill & Sign button on the right panel
Click on it and the PDF will be open and can be edited.
Step 6. Choose the Ab icon, also blue, and from the “Fill and Sign” toolbar at the top of the PDF
The text tool menu will be displayed.
Step 7. Click at the point in the document where you want to add the text
A typing area will appear.
Step 8. Adjust the text size
The small “A” will reduce the size, while the large “A” will increase it.
Step 9. Select Enter text here to be able to compose
Step 10. Enter the text you want to add to the PDF
Step 11. Click anywhere outside the text box (but inside the document) to close it
Now you can do the same to add more text to other places in the PDF, if you like.
- If you want to move the text, double click on it, move the mouse cursor to one of the edges, click and drag it to the desired location.
- To place a symbol, such as a “checkmark” or a circle, click on it in the toolbar.
Step 12. Add a signature if the PDF needs to be signed
Follow the instructions below:
- On the toolbar, click on the "Subscribe" button.
- Select “Add signature” or “Add initials”.
- You can type the signature or initials with a generic font, or choose “Draw” to sign with your mouse or trackpad.
- When finished, click on “Apply” and the signature will be placed on the page.
- Signature can be moved; just click and drag it to the right spot.
Step 13. Enter the File menu and choose To save.
The document will be saved with the new text changes.
Method 3 of 4: Using the “Tagging” tool on iPhone or iPad
Step 1. Tap the PDF file you want to open
It can be attached to an email or saved on a mobile device or even cloud storage.
Step 2. Select a pencil icon in the upper right corner
The “Marking” tool will open at the bottom of the screen.
Step 3. On the lower right, find the + icon
More tagging features will be expanded in a new menu.
Step 4. Choose Text
A small text box will appear in the PDF.
Step 5. Tap the text box once
A menu will open and some options will appear at the bottom of the screen.
Step 6. Select the Aa icon to customize the text
You can set the font, size and alignment.
To change the text color, tap one of the colored circles at the bottom of the screen
Step 7. Tap the text box and choose Edit from the menu to access it
Step 8. Write the text
When finished, tap anywhere outside the field to close it.
Step 9. Drag the text box to the desired point, lifting your finger to position it
Step 10. Add a signature to the PDF (optional)
When it is necessary to sign the document, do the following, in the Markup tool:
- Select the “+” icon in the lower right corner of the screen.
- Tap “Signature”.
- Use your finger to sign the screen.
- When finished, press “Finish” at the top of the screen.
- Tap and drag the signature to the location you prefer. You can also resize it using the blue dots in each corner, making it larger or smaller.
Step 11. When finished editing, select Finish to save the edits to the PDF
Method 4 of 4: Using Acrobat Reader DC for Android
Step 1. Install Acrobat Reader DC from Play Store Store
Free, the program allows the user to add text and signature to PDF documents on any Android tablet or smartphone.
To install, go to the app store, search for Adobe Acrobat Reader, tap on its icon in the results (red color with a stylized “A”) and select “Install”
Step 2. Open Acrobat Reader DC
If the installation has been completed and the Play Store is still open, just choose “Open”, which will replace the “Install” button. Otherwise, go to the app list (or the shortcut on the home screen) and press the red icon with a styled “A” to launch Acrobat Reader.
The first time you open it, you will need to login or create an account. It's very simple to login with your Google account, but also with any other profile, if you prefer
Step 3. Tap the files icon, the second one on the left panel
Step 4. Find the PDF you want to edit
Choose “On This Device” - if it's already on Android - and navigate to the location of the document. You can also select it from cloud storages such as Dropbox, Google Drive or Adobe Document Cloud.
- If the file is in the email, save the attachment on Android and open it in Acrobat Reader.
- You'll need to link your Google Drive account, Dropbox, or some kind of cloud storage when your document is saved to them.
Step 5. Tap the PDF to open it in Acrobat Reader
Step 6. Select a pencil icon in the blue circle (end of screen)
A menu will be expanded with some options.
Step 7. Choose Fill & Sign, the second option
A toolbar will be shown at the top of the screen.
Step 8. Tap Ab to open the text tool
It is the first icon in the bar at the top of the screen.
Step 9. Select the location where the text will be added
A text box will be placed at that location.
Step 10. Adjust the text size
Tap the smaller “A” to decrease the size, and the larger “A” to increase it.
Step 11. Write the text
When finished, tap anywhere outside the field to get out of it.
Step 12. Add a subscription (optional)
When you need to sign the document, do the following in Acrobat Reader DC:
- Choose a pencil icon (top right corner of the toolbar).
- Tap “Create signature” or “Create initials” as needed.
- Select "Finish".
- Press the pencil icon one more time, and now choose your signature.
- Tap where it should be inserted. A menu with font options will appear.
- Choose a fountain pen icon (third from left to right) from the horizontal black menu. The signature will appear.
- Drag it to the right spot and tap anywhere to exit.
Step 13. Tap the checkmark (“✓”) icon to save it
Find it in the upper left corner of the screen.
Step 14. Enter the menu represented by three dots and choose Save As Copy, which will be on the upper right
All locations where the document can be saved will be shown.
Step 15. Define where it will be stored
It can be on Android itself, Google Drive, or any other linked cloud service. A copy of the edited PDF will be saved.