How to Edit a PDF File

Editing PDFs can be a tricky business. There are a number of methods you can employ, the most common of which are listed in the steps below:

 

Method 1 of 5: Use PDF Editing Software

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   Download a PDF editing program. There are a number that are free and reliable.^[1].A legitimate PDF editor won't ask for your personal or financial information.
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   Open the PDF through the PDF editor. The editor should give you a "Choose File" or "Browse" option that will allow you to easily locate and import the PDF file on your computer.
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   Edit your PDF. Use the PDF editor to change the document's words or images.
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   Save the edited document. When you're finished editing the document, make sure to save the final product so you have a record of your edited document.

Method 2 of 5: Use an Online PDF Editor

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   Use your browser to navigate to an online PDF editor. Online PDF editors are convenient because you can access them from anywhere and there's no software to install.
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   Upload your PDF. The editor should give you a "Choose File" or "Browse" option that will allow you to easily locate and import the PDF file on your computer.
   
   
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   Edit your PDF. Use the editing tools to add text, images, annotations, signatures, highlights, and/or whiteouts.
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   Save your new PDF. When you're finished editing the document, you can download the new file to your computer, or save it for future editing.
   
   

Method 3 of 5: Use a PDF to Text Converter

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   Find a PDF to text converter online. There are several websites that provide an online PDF to text conversion service for free. Just search "PDF to text" in any search engine. Make sure that the PDF to text converter is actually reliable and doesn't ask for your personal or financial information.
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   Provide your name and email address (optional). The converter may ask for your name and email address in order to email you the finished product. Some converters can complete the process online without emailing you the document, while others will email you the finished product when it's complete. Provide this information if the converter requests it.
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   Upload the PDF file. The converter will have a "Choose File" or "Browse" option that will let you easily locate the file on your computer. Wait for the PDF to convert to text. This can take a few minutes, or much longer, depending on the size of the PDF.
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   Download the converted PDF. The PDF will now be in a .txt file. This will either be available to you on the website or through your email.
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   Open the file in a word processor.
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   Edit the file. Make the necessary changes to your PDF.
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   Save the file. Save the finished product.
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   Convert the text file back to a PDF (optional). If you'd like to return your file to PDF form after editing it, simply repeat the conversion process, using a Text-to-PDF conversion service online. The process is the same -- find a reliable converter, upload the text file, and wait for it to finish converting back to its PDF form.

Method 4 of 5: Use a PDF to Word Converter

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   Find a PDF to Word converter online. There are several websites that provide an online PDF to text conversion service for free. And unlike the PDF to text converter, PDF to Word puts the document straight into your word processor. Just search "PDF to text" in any search engine online. Make sure that the result is free and reliable.
   • A good PDF to Word supports conversion of single file, batch files, and also selected pages. It helps users preserve the original layout of text, graphics, and images after conversion. Popular choices include deskUNPDF, SolidPDF, and PDF Converter.
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   Provide your name and email address (optional). Depending on the converter, you may be asked for your name or email address. Some converters can complete the conversion online, while others will email the finished product to you.
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   Import the file. The converter will allow you to browse your files to upload the PDF that you want to edit.
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   Convert the file. Wait for the file to finish converting. This could take a few minutes or longer depending on the size of the file.
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   Open the file. Once the file is finished converting, you will be able to either open it online, or to retrieve it from your email.
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   Edit the file. Use Microsoft Word to edit the file.
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   Save the file. When you're done editing, save the file.
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   Convert the Word Document back to a PDF. If you'd like to return your file to PDF form after editing it, simply repeat the conversion process, using a Word-to-PDF conversion service online. The process is the same -- find a reliable converter, upload the text file, and wait for it to finish converting back to its PDF form. You can also just convert the file back right from Microsoft Word if you have the right software.

Method 5 of 5: Use Adobe Acrobat

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   Purchase and install or open Adobe Acrobat. Adobe Acrobat is the primary tool used to create PDF files. If you already have it, simply open it. If you want to buy it, you should know that while it is a little pricey, it is very useful for editing PDFs as well as performing a wide variety of other useful tasks.
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   Open the file. Click on "File" and "Open" to locate the file.
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   Turn on the Advanced Editing tool. Click on "Tools," then "Advanced Editing," and then "Show Advanced Editing Toolbar" to do this. This will allow you to edit the PDF as effectively as possible.
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   Edit images in the PDF (optional). If you'd like to edit images in the PDF, click on the "Touch up Objects" tool on the right end of the Advanced Editing toolbar. Then click on the image and select "Edit image." This will open up the image in Photoshop or another image-editing program. This will also automatically update the image in Adobe Acrobat.
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   Edit the order of the pages of the PDF (optional). To do this, click on "View," then "Navigation Panels," and then "Pages." Then, change the order of the pages by clicking on the thumbnail of the pages and then dragging them to a new location.
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   Edit the text in the PDF. Click on the "Touch up Text Editing" tool on the Advanced Editing toolbar. It's the third option from the right. Then, click on the text and make any necessary changes, remembering to use the same font as the original text. Once you've finished editing the text and other aspects of the PDF, you will have completed editing your PDF file.