If you work with PDF files regularly, you may want to know how to annotate and edit them effectively. PDF annotations are comments or notes you can add to a PDF document to provide feedback, suggestions, or instructions. In this blog post, we will introduce some of the most common types of annotations and edits that are supported by the PDF standard, and how you can use them with different programs.
The PDF standard defines 14 types of annotations that can be added to a PDF document. These are:
– Text: A text annotation is a sticky note that appears on the page or in the margin. You can use it to add a comment, a question, or a reminder to yourself or others.
– Link: A link annotation is a clickable area that takes you to another location in the same document, a different document, or a web page. You can use it to create cross-references, bookmarks, or hyperlinks.
– Free Text: A free text annotation is a text box you can place anywhere on the page. You can add captions, labels, or callouts to your document.
– Line: A line annotation is a straight line you can draw on the page. You can use it to mark boundaries, measure distances, or point out something important.
– Square: A square annotation is a rectangle you can draw on the page. You can use it to highlight an area of interest, create a frame, or draw attention to something.
– Circle: A circle annotation is an ellipse you can draw on the page. You can use it for the same purposes as a square annotation but with a different shape.
– Polygon: A polygon annotation is a closed shape you can draw on the page with multiple vertices. You can use it to create custom shapes, such as arrows, stars, or symbols.
– Polyline: A polyline annotation is an open shape you can draw on the page with multiple vertices. You can use it to create curves, splines, or paths.
– Highlight: A highlight annotation is a transparent color overlay to apply to a selected text. You can use it to emphasize important words or phrases in your document.
– Underline: An underline annotation is a horizontal line you can apply to a selected text. You can use it for the same purpose as a highlight annotation but with a different style.
– Squiggly: A squiggly annotation is a wavy line you can apply to a selected text. You can use it to indicate your document’s spelling errors, typos, or questionable content.
– Strikeout: A strikeout annotation is a crossed-out line that you can apply to a selected text. You can use it to show deleted or replaced content in your document.
– Stamp: A stamp annotation is an image you can place on the page. You can use it to add predefined stamps (such as “Approved” or “Confidential”) or custom stamps (such as your signature or logo) to your document.
– Caret: A caret annotation is a symbol that indicates where text should be inserted in your document. You can use it to suggest additions or corrections to your document.
In addition to these annotations, you can also edit PDF files by adding, deleting, moving, resizing, rotating, cropping, or extracting pages; adding headers and footers; adding watermarks and backgrounds; adding bookmarks and attachments; adding form fields and signatures; encrypting and decrypting files; and more.
Many programs allow you to annotate and edit PDF files. Here we show you three practical tools you can use to add notes to PDFs for free on Windows and some examples.
How to Add Notes to PDFs with UPDF
A good alternative to uploading your PDFs online is using a free PDF reader such as UPDF locally, which offers tools to annotate PDFs. In addition to adding notes to PDFs, UPDF offers many other advanced features to visualize, convert, modify and convert your PDFs. Here we will give an overview of how to add notes with UPDF.
- Click the pen symbol in the left sidebar and choose the tool you want to use
- Via the text bubble you can add a “Sticky note” in different colors
- The Sticky Note will be available via a text bubble you can position freely in the PDF
- The “Text Comment” tool allows you to create text notes with different fonts, colors, text style, and font size
- You can position text comments freely with the mouse
- The “Textbox” tool is another way to add text to your document
In comparison to simple text comments a textbox works better with whole sentences or even paragraphs as it offers a defined area to write on.
- Just draw the textbox where you want it with your mouse…
- …then write your text and place the box where you want it to be located
- UPDF also includes a great number of Stickers you can add via mouse click
- Stickers can be resized and positioned freely
- With the drawing tool you can annotate freely in different colors and thickness, and even opacity
- The drawing pen of UPDF is best for freestyle annotations but can also be used to highlight or mark certain sections or elements
How to Add Notes to PDFs with Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge is not only a quick and easy way to open and view PDFs on Windows 11 / Windows 10. You can use preinstalled web browser also to add some notes to your PDFs. Here is how it works.
- Open the PDF and select the annotation tool you want to use
Microsoft Edge offers a drawing pen with flexible thickness and colors, a textbox tool, and a highlighter in the toolbar on top.
- Using the text tool you can choose text color, size and the distance between letters and position the text freely
- The highlighter also offers different colors, and you can choose the thickness
The “Text only highlight” option lets you use the highlighter to mark exactly the relevant words.
How to Add Notes to PDFs with Adobe Acrobat Online
Adobe Acrobat Online is a great alternative if you need more annotation and editing features. Here is how you can add notes to a PDF using this versatile web app after uploading your PDF.
- With the comment tool, you can either add comments directly as text on the PDF or via a comment bubble
Both types of comments will be tracked and can be shown in the “Comments”-sidebar. Text comments or the comment bubble which opens the comment in the sidebar can be placed freely using your mouse.
- There is also a “Highlight” tool with yellow color and an “Underline” and a “Strikethrough” tool
- The drawing tool allows you to draw with different colors and thickness
- With the “Textbox” tool you can add Text in different colors and font sizes
Compared with “Text comments”, those annotations won´t be tracked as comments and will not be visible in the comments sidebar.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Notes in PDF Documents
How can I collaborate on a PDF document with notes?
For effective collaboration using notes on a PDF, share the document with your team and ensure all members use a PDF reader that supports viewing and adding notes. Some PDF tools also offer cloud-based collaboration, allowing multiple users to add notes in real-time, track changes, and see each other’s comments instantly, facilitating a more dynamic and interactive review process.
Can I add notes to a scanned PDF document just like a digital PDF?
Yes, adding notes to scanned PDFs is possible and functions similarly to digital PDFs. Tools like OCR (Optical Character Recognition) can make scanned documents searchable, improving the efficiency of adding notes. However, the quality of the scanned document can affect readability and the ease of adding notes, so ensure scans are clear and legible.
Is it possible to customize the opacity of annotations like highlights or drawings?
Many PDF annotation tools, including UPDF, provide options to adjust the opacity of your drawings and highlights. This feature is useful for making notes stand out or blend in with the original content, depending on your needs. Look for an ‘Opacity’ slider or setting in the annotation tool’s options to customize this aspect of your notes.
How do I add notes to only a part of an image within a PDF?
To annotate a specific part of an image, use the drawing tool to circle or underline the area of interest or the shape tool to create a visible marker around it. Adding a sticky note or a text box next to the highlighted area can provide additional context or information, making the note more informative and focused on the particular image part.
Can I save a set of notes as a template to use in other PDFs?
Some advanced PDF editors allow you to save frequently used notes, stamps, or shapes as templates for easy reuse in different documents. This feature can save time and ensure consistency across multiple PDFs. Check your PDF tool’s documentation or settings to see if it supports saving templates and how to access and use them in other documents.
How can I ensure my annotations are accessible to those with visual impairments?
To make annotations accessible, use high-contrast colors and ensure text annotations are in a large, legible font. Consider the use of screen reader-friendly annotations, which can read aloud text notes and descriptions of other types of annotations. Some PDF tools also support alt text for images and annotations, providing a text description that screen readers can convey to users with visual impairments.
What’s the best way to add notes for peer review feedback in a PDF?
For peer review feedback, combine text comments, sticky notes, and highlights to provide clear and specific feedback. Utilize the reply feature on notes if supported by your PDF reader to create a dialogue within the document, enabling reviewers to ask questions and provide clarifications right next to the relevant content. This approach keeps the feedback organized and contextual.
Can I convert handwritten notes to text annotations in a PDF?
OCR technology can convert handwritten notes to text in some PDF editors, although success can vary based on handwriting legibility. After OCR processing, use the text annotation tool to correct any inaccuracies and format the text as needed. This feature is particularly useful for digitizing margin notes or annotations made on printed documents.
How can I hide or minimize annotations to reduce clutter on the PDF page?
Most PDF readers include a feature to hide or minimize annotations, typically found in the View menu or annotations sidebar. This can declutter the document for easier reading. Some tools also offer a focus mode, which temporarily hides all annotations except the one you’re currently working on or selecting.
Is it possible to link a note to a specific page or section within the same PDF?
Link annotations can be used to create interactive notes that, when clicked, navigate to a specific page, section, or external resource. This is especially useful for creating cross-references or a clickable table of contents within the PDF. Check your PDF tool’s link or bookmark feature to set up these interactive notes.
Can I use notes to create a clickable table of contents in a PDF?
Yes, combining text annotations with link annotations allows you to create a clickable table of contents. This involves adding a text note for each section title and then linking it to the corresponding page or section. This method enhances document navigation, especially in longer PDFs.
How do I annotate a PDF with a digital signature?
To add a digital signature as an annotation, look for a ‘Signature’ tool in your PDF reader, which might be part of the stamp options or a separate feature. This tool allows you to create a digital signature either by typing, drawing, or uploading an image of your signature. Once created, you can place and resize the signature annotation within the document as needed.
Can I track changes made by notes in a PDF?
Some PDF editors offer a version history or comments list feature that tracks the author, date, and details of notes added to the document. This is akin to a track changes function, providing a comprehensive overview of the review process and facilitating accountability and transparency in document editing.
How can I print a PDF with and without annotations?
When printing a PDF from most readers, you’ll find options in the print dialogue to include or exclude annotations. This allows you to print a clean version of the document or one that includes all your notes and comments, depending on your needs. Check the advanced print settings to access these options.
Can notes be automatically translated in a PDF?
Direct automatic translation of notes within PDFs is generally not supported. However, you can copy the text from notes and use an external translation tool or service to translate it. Some advanced PDF tools might integrate with external services to facilitate this process, but it typically involves an extra step outside the PDF reader.
Last Updated on April 21, 2024 10:56 am CEST by Markus Kasanmascheff
