Free to use · No account · Your PDF stays on your device
Add text. Make visual changes to your PDF.
Add a note, or change one word using the original font when it can be verified. You can explicitly choose a substitute font instead. These are visual changes: the original text remains recoverable, even in the downloaded file.
How it works
- 1
Open your PDF and select some text
The Text overlay tool is already selected. Click text in a digital PDF to prepare a visual replacement.
- 2
Write and check the result
For a one-word change, leave “Keep the original font” selected. If verification fails, the document is not changed: cancel, or explicitly choose a substitute font, size and colour. Read the warning and review the preview. For a new note, use “Add text”.
- 3
Download a new copy
Review the preview and choose “Download PDF”. Keep your original and check the appearance of the new copy before using it.
Adding an overlay does not remove the original text
The web editor places a white rectangle and new text over the existing content. This can be useful for drafts, notes and non-confidential visual corrections. It does not change the underlying text in the way a native PDF editing engine would.
Embedded-font reuse is limited to a one-word change on pages containing only black text on a white background, with no images, graphics, annotations or rotation. The required characters must be verifiable in the PDF and the new word must fit the available space. It may be slightly compressed horizontally, without moving the surrounding text. If any check fails, the document is left unchanged. Helvetica, Times and Courier are available only if you choose the substitute-font mode. The Mac app offers more advanced tools.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I permanently delete text from a PDF?
- Not with this tool. A text overlay does not remove the underlying text and must not be used to hide sensitive information.
- Can I use the same font as the original document?
- Yes, for a one-word change on compatible text-only pages: leave “Keep the original font” selected. This is not guaranteed for every PDF. If the font, characters, geometry or background cannot be verified, the edit stops without changing the document. Using a substitute font requires your explicit choice.
- Can I write on a scanned PDF?
- You can add new text over a scanned page. Text that is part of the scanned image cannot be selected without OCR, which is available in the Mac app rather than the web editor.
Practical guide
How to add a date to a PDF
Follow a fictional example to add a date, pick it up again with the Select arrow and check the downloaded copy.
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