You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

adding text in preview

I am struggling to figure out an easier way to use preview to add text to pdf documents. When I click on the text box, it adds the text box in the middle of the page, meaning I have to drag and type for every bit of text I'm trying to add. The pdf I'm trying to annotate is not a form--I cannot just click in the document and type. Is there no faster way to add text?

MacBook Air (2020 or later)

Posted on Mar 12, 2022 7:01 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 12, 2022 7:32 AM

mac mommy wrote:

I am struggling to figure out an easier way to use preview to add text to pdf documents. When I click on the text box, it adds the text box in the middle of the page, meaning I have to drag and type for every bit of text I'm trying to add. The pdf I'm trying to annotate is not a form--I cannot just click in the document and type. Is there no faster way to add text?



Annotate a PDF in Preview on Mac - Apple Support



You can always use a true PDF editor if you do not care fro Preview.app

there are many, here are a few examples:


Adobe Acrobate DC

https://get.adobe.com/reader/


PDFpen

https://pdfpen.com/pdfpen/


pdfExpert

https://pdfexpert.com/


Master PDF Editor

https://code-industry.net/masterpdfeditor/?-about&ver=5832






2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 12, 2022 7:32 AM in response to mac mommy

mac mommy wrote:

I am struggling to figure out an easier way to use preview to add text to pdf documents. When I click on the text box, it adds the text box in the middle of the page, meaning I have to drag and type for every bit of text I'm trying to add. The pdf I'm trying to annotate is not a form--I cannot just click in the document and type. Is there no faster way to add text?



Annotate a PDF in Preview on Mac - Apple Support



You can always use a true PDF editor if you do not care fro Preview.app

there are many, here are a few examples:


Adobe Acrobate DC

https://get.adobe.com/reader/


PDFpen

https://pdfpen.com/pdfpen/


pdfExpert

https://pdfexpert.com/


Master PDF Editor

https://code-industry.net/masterpdfeditor/?-about&ver=5832






Mar 12, 2022 8:45 AM in response to mac mommy

The current Adobe Acrobat Reader DC (22.001.20085) allows you to add a text box (annotation) by clicking Comment (after you open the PDF) which adds an annotation toolbar and then clicking the letter T (red box below) on it. This allows you to place an insertion beam where you prefer and then just start typing text. None of that Apple Preview nonsense, and no need to pay for a PDF Editor if your goal is solely annotation instead of altering the original PDF text.


adding text in preview

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.