Sometimes you wish to fill out forms or leave comments or annotations in a PDF file. That requires you to add text boxes and text to PDF. The text box is a text field where you can type text. However, editing PDF files is challenging unless you use a dedicated PDF editor. Knowing the right PDF tools and the easy methods to add text boxes to PDF helps you work efficiently.
Considering operating systems, ease of use, costs and other factors, we’ve covered to show you how to add text boxes to a PDF.
Way 1: Add Text Box to PDF with SwifDoo PDF
SwifDoo PDF is an easy-to-use, feature-rich, lightweight desktop PDF editor for Windows. It is a versatile PDF software application on the market equipped with PDF editing, conversion, compression and splitting capabilities. SwifDoo PDF allows you to add text boxes to PDF for free. You can type text in the boxes, change the font color and style, add underlines and superscripts, and do more to personalize the added text.
Step 1: Import PDF File
First and foremost, download and install SwifDoo PDF for Windows on your Windows computer and launch it. Once you see its main interface, click on 'Open' to start browsing your PC and locate the PDF Files which you need to be edited.
Step 2: Edit PDF File and add the text box
Start to add text boxes to a PDF, navigate to 'Edit' to select the 'Insert Text' option. Click a place on a page to add a text box and write the text, Hit 'save' after finishing all editing. Do so, and the new text process will be saved automatically. You can now access the new file whenever you like.
Way 2: Add Text Box to PDF with Preview
Mac devices come with a built-in image and PDF viewer, Preview. The free handy application can import and export various file formats such as PNG, PDF, JPEG, PSD, and TIFF.
Here is the method to add text boxes to PDF on Mac.
Step 1: Right-click on your PDF file in File Explorer and choose Open with > Preview;
Step 2: Click the Show Markup Toolbar button on the top to open the toolbar;
Step 3: Choose the text adding tool to add a text box and type your text;
Step 4: Drag the text box where you want and change the text properties as needed;
Step 5: Add more text boxes, then rename the file and save the changes.
That is how you can add text boxes to PDF on Mac with Preview. The program allows you to set how the text in the text boxes appears, such as the font style, size, color, and alignment. Preview’s markup tools help you fill out and sign forms in PDF without printing the file. Moreover, it can add passwords to your file and combine and split PDFs.
Way 3: Add a Text Box to a PDF with Adobe Acrobat Reader DC
In terms of how to add text boxes to PDF, Adobe Acrobat Reader DC is another great option. The Adobe Reader desktop software is available on both Windows and Mac OS.
Check how to add a text box to a PDF with Adobe Reade; the method also applies to Adobe Acrobat Pro DC.
Step 1: Open a PDF with Adobe Reader and click Comment in the right pane;
Step 2: Choose the Add text box tool on the top of the document, then use your cursor to draw a rectangle box over a proper area and type the text;
Step 3: Select the text and change the properties such as font color and size.
Click on the added text box, and you can move it to your desired location and drag the bounding box handle to resize it.
Though Adobe Acrobat is probably the most famous PDF software product, you may feel frustrated with its enormous size and wish to search for an online tool. Read on to find out how to add text boxes to a PDF without Acrobat.
Way 4: Add Text Boxes to PDF Online Using PDF Bob
PDF Bob is an online and free PDF editor that lets you address some basic PDF editing needs without a subscription or account. While this web application can’t edit or delete existing text, it provides an easy way to add a text box to a PDF.
Learn the way to add text boxes to your PDF online for free.
Step 1: Click Start editing PDF on the homepage of the software’s website and tap Upload file on the new page to upload your PDF document;
Step 2: Choose Edit on the top and select Text tool in the left toolbar;
Step 3: Hit on a PDF page to add a text box and write the words;
Step 4: Set the font color, size, style, and other properties from the Text tool panel;
Step 5: Go to Export to export and download the PDF file to your computer.
Way 5: Add Text Boxes to PDF in Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge users can natively insert text into a PDF in the browser without asking for third-party software. The Edge browser comes with an inbuilt PDF viewer and annotator that allows you to highlight text, draw lines and add fillable text boxes in PDF.
Step 1: Right-click on a PDF file in its file folder and choose Open with > Microsoft Edge;
Step 2: Tap Add text on the top toolbar and click a place on a particular PDF page to add a text box, then type your text;
Step 3: Adjust the text color and size, and move it to a proper position.
Way 6: Add Text Box to Your PDF in Chrome
Those who use the Google Chrome browser can add text boxes in PDF for free with the help of the Kami app. Kami is a multi-purpose PDF editing and annotating tool that allows you to highlight, underline, strikethrough text, and draw lines and shapes in PDF.
Let’s see how to insert text boxes in PDF with the Chrome app.
Step 1: Install Kami from Google Workspace Marketplace to your Chrome;
Step 2: Go to the Google apps (nine dots) icon in the browser and scroll down the drop-down menu to choose the app;
Step 3: Click My Computer to upload and open your PDF document;
Step 4: Choose Text Box in the sidebar and click on a PDF page to add a blank text box to the PDF, then type the text;
Step 5: Save the PDF to your local device, Google Drive or OneDrive.
Final Thoughts
Adding a text box to a PDF is a piece of cake with so many free web and desktop applications, and choosing the right one can significantly improve your efficiency. Therefore, we have explored the 6 ways in this post. If you also need to edit further PDFs, such as changing or replacing the existing text, a PDF tool like SwifDoo PDF is essential.
