PDF, or Portable Document Format, is a file format developed by Adobe Systems. Unlike other document formats, it allows documents to be presented and exchanged in a way that is independent of software, hardware, and operating system. PDF is one of the most popular formats used to store and share electronic documents.
In this post, we’ll introduce you what is a PDF file, its advantage and disadvantages, as well as the practical methods of how to edit PDF files especially on a Windows PC.
Advantages of PDF Files
The benefits of using PDFs go beyond consistent formatting. They are easy to download, print, and provide a level of security for sensitive information. Businesses, educational institutions, and individuals use PDFs to share information in a professional and accessible way.
- Universal – PDF documents look identical on different devices and operating systems.
- Supports various data types – supports text, images, vector graphics, forms, multimedia (e.g. videos, sound) and other interactive elements (e.g. hyperlinks).
- It has a fixed page layout – the content of a PDF document, including fonts and layout, is frozen so the document always looks the same.
- Can be protected – password protection, encryption and permission restrictions (e.g. printing, editing) are possible.
- Searchable and indexable – PDF files can contain searchable and indexable text.
- Compresses data – The PDF format uses compression techniques, allowing documents to be stored in a relatively small file size.
PDF File Editing Limitations
Unfortunately, not every PDF file can be edited . This is due to a variety of factors.
- The PDF file may be password protected or have built-in editing restrictions that require them to be removed before further modification.
- Some tools require conversion of the PDF file to another format, e.g. DOCX or PPT, which may significantly affect the quality of formatting.
- Sometimes the PDF files you receive are actually scanned documents, saved as PDFs. In such cases, PDF editing tools will not detect the text on the file pages and will treat them as one large photo.
How to Edit a PDF File
Each of us knows the moment when we receive a document in PDF format and find a minor or major error in it. It may be a typo, incorrect information or an inappropriate photo.
Is it possible to edit a PDF file? Yes, a PDF file can be edited , although this format was designed primarily for presenting and exchanging documents while maintaining their original appearance. However, modern tools offer a wide range of possibilities for editing PDF files.
Edit PDF with SwifDoo PDF
SwifDoo PDF is one of the most popular tools for editing PDF files. It allows you to add text, images, links, and also edit existing text. It is a paid tool, but it offers a free trial version that is enough for basic operations.
Editing a PDF in Canva allows you to:
- Modifying or removing text, images, elements, shapes or signatures
- Merging several different PDFs into one
- Organize, reorder, add, and remove pages in added PDF files
- Changing the structure of the entire document
- Converting PDF to DWG and other files for free with its online converters
- Encrypt and decrypt PDF
- OCR PDF
An additional advantage of this platform is the huge resources of free ready-made templates. Thanks to them, you can quickly and efficiently turn a simple PDF file into a personalized and visually attractive presentation.
Edit PDF with Free Online Tools
Not everyone needs paid software, especially when it comes to simple PDF editing. Fortunately, there are many free online tools that make it easy to edit PDF files. Here are a few:
- Smallpdf – Another popular online tool that lets you edit PDFs. With Smallpdf you can change text, add graphics, and combine and split PDFs. The free version offers some basic features.
- Sejda PDF Editor – This online tool allows you to not only edit text, but also add hyperlinks, highlight text fragments or insert new images into PDF. It offers a free version with some limitations.
Each of these tools has its advantages and limitations, but if you don’t need advanced features, the free online options are a great choice. Just upload your PDF, edit it, and download the finished document.
Edit PDF using Google Docs
Google Docs is a great tool that is often used to edit text documents, but did you know that you can also use it to edit PDFs? Here’s how:
- Open Google Drive and upload the PDF file to your account.
- Once the file has loaded, right-click on it and select “Open with” – “Google Docs”.
- Google Docs will automatically convert the PDF file into an editable text document. You can now edit the text, add photos, or change formatting.
- Once you’re done editing, you can save the file as a PDF or another format such as DOCX or ODT.
While Google Docs doesn’t offer full PDF editing functionality, it’s a great option if you need to quickly edit text in a PDF. It’s worth noting, however, that the conversion can change the layout of some files, especially if they have complex formatting.
In Closing
Editing PDFs doesn’t have to be difficult, thanks to the wide range of tools available. SwifDoo PDF is a powerful solution, perfect for professional editing, while free online tools like Smallpdf and Sejda allow for quick and easy modifications. Google Docs is a great way to edit text in PDFs, and some mobile apps allow editing PDFs on mobile devices.
Choose the tool that best suits your needs and enjoy the convenience of editing PDFs wherever you are!