For this reason, most people tend to prefer PDF files over Word documents or Powerpoint presentations. Being such a widely used format, it is important to know how you can edit such a file without having to pay extra fees. You can easily open a .doc file on the internet, in Microsoft Word, on Google Docs, or in Libre Office and make the edits you need. However, PDF documents are a little bit more difficult to edit. The following paragraphs will take you through our discoveries in terms of free solutions you could use both online and offline.
Edit PDF Online with PDF Escape
An online tool that can be used for free is PDF Escape. You don’t need to install any software, and there’s no need to download an app. You simply go to their homepage, and then click on the ‘Edit your PDF now’ button. This will allow you to upload the PDF file you are trying to edit. There is not a whole lot that you can do with the file once it’s uploaded, but it works just fine if you want to add and remove text, insert an image, add freehand drawing, and a couple of other interesting things. When you are done doing the necessary edits, you can just press the Save Document key. This one will automatically launch a pop-up that asks you where you want the file to be saved. You can then save it to your computer and even choose the file format. PDFEscape has been around for a long time, and surprisingly, the UX has remained nearly identical all these years.
PDF24: Free online PDF editor and converter
Similar to the previous one but a lot more complex, PDF24 is also entirely free to use. Being called the PDF Creator, this software basically lets you create a totally new file over the existing PDF document that you uploaded. Being a downloadable tool, it can be used on your PC or Mac without having access to the Internet. This way, you can edit pdf files even when you are offline. The software works well with Windows 7, 8, and Windows 10, and it also suits Mac users (Mac OS X 10.7+). There are various versions of PDF24, depending on what you’re going to use it for. The private one is best suited for those who aren’t looking for very complex features. However, you can also download one for your business – find out more about the tools it comes with here. Related Read: How to Split PDF Online without Downloading any App
PDF to Word Converter
One of the easiest ways to start working on a PDF file is by converting it to a file format that you can make edits to. Word documents are well-known for being very easy to modify, so why not use an online converter? Named exactly like this, the PDF to Word Converter is a free tool that you can find here. There are various others that you can find by simply entering these terms on Google. Most of them are free, and you are usually able to download the file directly from their website once it’s converted. Otherwise, you will have it sent to your email address. By selecting the file you want to convert and then entering the address where you want to receive it, you will be able to have the Word document you wish in just a few seconds. Depending on the length, it can sometimes take a few minutes, but never any longer than this. There is also a PLUS version called the Nitro Productivity Suite, which has more features like eSign, merge PDF, and more. It comes with a 14-day trial.
PDFill – PDF editing software
Another app that you can download to your PC and use offline is PDFill. This PDF editor works with most Windows versions, such as Windows 7, 8, and 10, and doesn’t support Mac and Linux. Don’t be fooled by the age-old user interface you see above. It lets you add a text box or sticky note, design shapes (circles, polygons, etc.), insert pictures, add watermarks, etc. All you need to do in order to start editing a file is to install the free software and then upload the file you wish to modify. You will then be able to use the Drag & Drop technique for all modifications you want to make.
Foxit Advanced
The Foxit software can be used for free in the trial version that lasts for 30 days. You will then need to purchase it online, and prices differ depending on the purpose you’re going to use it for. However, since the trial period lasts for a month, I thought it would be useful to include it in our article today. It’s a pretty cool tool that lets users edit PDF files by adding texts, images, and titles, changing the font and style, and modifying the arrangement, but it can also be used for sharing files with others. This way, not only you but also your colleagues can participate in modifying the desired document. It is also great in terms of tracking, as anyone who wishes to edit the file will have to enter his or her name. This is how you will always be able to know who collaborated in creating a certain file and who didn’t. Once you’re done working on it, you can also sign it and protect it against future modifications.
OpenOffice Draw
If you are using OpenOffice, you will most probably know of the OpenOffice Draw software. This one lets you upload and create as many PDF files as you wish. Once you are inside the PDF document you want to work on, you can start editing it just the same as you would do with a Word document. It lets you add and replace photos, change the text, as well as private data (the title, author, etc.), and you can easily change the style and font, the color, and the annotations while you’re free to add charts, graphs, and shapes. It’s free to install, and you can find out more about it here! OpenOffice Draw is available to download on Windows, Mac OSX, and Linux.
Inkscape
Having been created as a vector graphics editor, Inkscape also lets you import PDF files to it. You can then select the text you want to edit, change its position, delete it, modify the color and order, highlight it, and so on. The same can also be done with images in the document. While you won’t be able to add your own text to the file, you can add annotations and do some free writing. This way, if you are taking notes on somebody’s existing work, you can highlight the aspects that you didn’t understand or would like to change and then send the document back to the person who was working on it. The only downside of this program is that it’s not very easy to use – the interface is a little bit complicated, and it doesn’t come with very clear indications of how to use all the features. That’s too bad, given how many cool features it has to offer.
PDFTools
PDFTools can be used for many and varied things around PDF. It doesn’t only help you modify an existing PDF, but you can also create a PDF from a webpage or an existing file in a different format and manage all of your documents. You can, for example, encrypt a file or decrypt it, join two files and create one bigger PDF document, or even split a file into two or more. The Stamp feature is also very interesting, as you can add an image or text over the file to serve as a stamp. The software only works on Windows, unfortunately, but it works on most versions of Windows. A Mac version is about the come, as far as developers say. Download the file from its official website here, and then follow the indicated steps to get started.
