How to Make a PDF Editable: Tips and Tricks

How to Make a PDF Editable: Tips and Tricks

PDF files are an everyday part of our professional and personal lives, and we use them regularly for different purposes, such as creating, viewing, and sharing data and documents. PDF is one of the most popular and portable document formats used across the globe, but it has its drawbacks, especially when editing is needed. The PDF format was mainly designed for read-only purposes, and while some solutions can be used to tackle this issue, there are limits to the process. In this article, we will explore different methods to make a PDF editable.

Using Adobe Acrobat

The most commonly used software for a long time to edit PDFs is Adobe Acrobat. It provides a wide range of options to alter a PDF document. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use Adobe Acrobat for editing:

1. Open the PDF file in Adobe Acrobat
2. Go to the Tools menu and click on “Edit PDF”
3. Choose the content that needs to be edited
4. Use the available toolset to make the necessary changes such as add text, images, shapes, etc.
5. Save the edited PDF file

Using Google Docs

Google Docs is a cloud-based word processor that can be accessed via a web browser or mobile app. It provides an easy way of editing PDF files and converting them back to PDF format. Here’s how to edit PDFs using Google Docs:

1. Upload the PDF file in Google Drive
2. Right-click on the PDF file and choose “Open with Google Docs”
3. Make the necessary changes in the document
4. Save the file as a new Google Doc or download it back as a PDF file

Converting to Word format

Another popular way to make a PDF editable is to convert it into a Word document, make the necessary changes, and save it back to the PDF format. Here is a guide:

1. Convert the PDF file to a Word document using software such as Adobe Acrobat or online tools like Smallpdf or PDF to Word Converter
2. Open the Word document in Microsoft Word
3. Edit the document by making the necessary changes
4. Save the file back to PDF format

Online PDF editor

Online PDF editors are an alternative option that can be used to edit PDF files. They don’t require any software installation and can be accessed from any device with an internet connection. Some of the popular online PDF editors are PDFescape, DocHub, and Sejda. Here are the steps to use PDFescape and DocHub:

1. Go to the website of the online PDF editor, either PDFescape or DocHub
2. Upload the PDF file to the editor
3. Make the necessary changes using options such as add text, images, and annotations
4. Save the file

Convert PDF to Excel

If there is a need to edit data in a PDF file, it is possible to extract the data into an Excel spreadsheet, make the necessary changes, and convert it back to PDF format. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Import the data from the PDF file to an MS Excel spreadsheet using software like Adobe Acrobat or online tools like Smallpdf
2. Edit the data in the Excel spreadsheet
3. Convert the data in the spreadsheet back to PDF format using software or online conversion tools

Using Mobile Apps

There are many mobile apps available for both iOS and Android devices that offer the ability to edit PDF files on the go. Adobe Fill and Sign allows users to fill in forms, sign documents, and add text to PDF files. Here’s how to edit PDF documents using the Adobe Fill and Sign app:

1. Install the Adobe Fill and Sign app on your mobile device
2. Open the app and select the PDF file you want to edit
3. Choose the content to be edited, such as text or images
4. Make the necessary changes and save the edited PDF file

Conclusion

In conclusion, PDFs are excellent file formats for viewing and sharing but not for editing documents. There are many ways to make a PDF editable, as discussed above. Some of the methods require software installation, while others are available online or as mobile apps. Choosing the best method depends on the type of editing required, the user’s technical ability, and personal preference.