How to Type On a PDF: 3 Simple Methods
Jackson Kustec
jackson@macro.com
Have you ever felt boxed in by the rigidity of a PDF file?
You're not alone. The quest to learn how to type on a PDF feels like a big deal for many people.
Today, we're about to change that narrative.
In this article, I walk you through the three simplest methods for typing on a PDF, first with Macro and then with other tools.
How to write on a PDF with Macro?
Not everyone knows that you can quickly type on a PDF without converting it to a Word or a DOCX file.
There are only a few tools with which you can do this. Even though some tools can help you open these files, you can't always edit or make any changes you like. This is even worse when you need to pay fees to get advanced features (looking at you, Adobe Acrobat đź‘€).
With Macro, you can now write on any PDF without paying a dime.
Follow the steps below:
Step #1: Upload your PDF file
The first step is to upload any PDF file of your choice or choose an existing PDF on your Macro dashboard
Step #2: Click on the “edit Alt +5” tab
After opening your PDF, you'll see a series of six tabs in the top-left corner.
Click on the pen-on-paper-like tab. Once you click on it, you'll see a list of elements you can add to your document, ranging from Text Box to bookmarks.
Step #3: Click on the “Text Box”
Once the list of items on the edit tab is open, click on the first item on the list, which is the “Text Box.”
What next?
Once the text box item is clicked, you can now drag the text box to any part of your document and add any text you want.
You can edit the font and size of your text. You can also format the text — bold, italicize, and underline the text added.
Step #4: Save your work
After writing on your PDF, review your work and save it. âś…
Easy, wasn’t it?
How to write on a PDF with Microsoft Word?
Go to “Open.” Once in, find the “File” menu on the top left. Click on it, then select “Open.”
Select the PDF:
- Navigate to where your PDF is stored.
- Choose it.
- Word might tell you it will convert the PDF to a Word document. Don’t worry; it's just Word’s way of saying, “I got this!”
Step #2. Start typing
Once converted, it'll look like a regular Word doc. Now, it's your playground.
Type, edit, and move things around as you wish.
Step#3. Save As PDF
When you're done, return to “File” , then “Save As.”
Here's a little secret: to keep it as a PDF, from the “Save as type” dropdown, pick PDF.
How to write on a PDF with Google Docs?
Learning how to edit a PDF in Google Docs enables you to use the collaborative and cloud features of Google Docs on your PDFs.
âť—You cannot automatically write on a PDF directly with Google Docs.
First, you need to convert the PDF to Google Docs format using Google Drive.
Once your document is in this new format, you can edit text and images. You can convert the file back to a PDF for safekeeping when you finish.
Here are the steps to follow:
Step #1. Upload the file to Google Drive. Click New > File Upload > then select your file.
Download the PDF file and upload it onto Google Drive. If you have already uploaded PDFs on your Drive, you can use them to test this method.
Step #2. Locate your PDF within Google Drive, then right-click and select Open With > Google Docs.
Once you choose the PDF file, right-click. On the top-center of the page, select “Open with Google Docs.”
This action will convert the PDF to a suitable format native to Google Docs.
Step #3. Start writing on your PDF
Once your file has opened in Google Docs, you can start to make edits, add text, and change the format and alignment of text to your taste.
When you’ve finished, navigate to File > Download> PDF . This will save and download your document as a new PDF.
Read and edit documents faster with Macro
Let’s face it; writing on a PDF with Microsoft Word is as simple as the process we used for Macro.
So, “Why download Macro to do it?” , you might ask.
Macro isn't just a tool for writing on PDFs. It's an all-in-one PDF + Word document editor with AI capabilities. In other words, Macro makes your life easier.
Want to explore more?
Download the free Macro app and get started today!