While it’s free to view, save, and distribute PDF files, it cannot modify them using Adobe Acrobat software. Finally, I’ll show you some free PDF editing tools that you can use to edit PDF files without using Adobe Acrobat. So, without further ado, let’s get begin!
Reasons For Popularity of PDF
Portable Document Format (PDF), as it is more commonly known, emerged as the dominant format for document delivery and dissemination, owing largely to Adobe Systems’ free distribution of the format in 1993.
However, PDF’s success is due to more than just its free availability. PDF’s popularity stems from its dependability and ability to run on all devices, operating systems, and software platforms.
1. PDF documents can be opened and viewed on any device, including Windows computers, Macs, Chromebooks, iPhones, Android phones, tablets, and e-Readers, using the free Adobe Reader.
2. PDF documents are smaller in size and retain their original formatting on any device.
3. Password-protected and encrypted PDF documents are available.
How to edit a PDF File Without Using Adobe Acrobat
A PDF file is simply a graphical representation or snapshot of the text; despite its appearance, a PDF file contains no text. As a result, PDF is an excellent format for distributing “read-only documents.”
PDF documents, unlike Microsoft Word or Excel files, are intended to be “read-only.” Therefore, PDF documents open in the same format on all devices, and the screen viewer does not allow you to change them.
Adobe Acrobat Software can be used to edit PDF files if necessary. However, unlike its document reader & the PDF file format, Adobe Acrobat software for modifying PDF files is not free.
If you’re modifying a large number of files, I recommend that you purchase Adobe Acrobat Software. However, if you only need to modify PDFs occasionally, you can use some free online programs.
PDF Editor for Minor Changes
You may need to make minor changes to a PDF document, such as hiding dates, numbers, or the source file’s location, or simply highlighting sections of a document.
PDFEscape – It is an online PDF editor that allows you to hide areas of a PDF file using its whiteout tool. Annotations can also be added to the PDF document with the help of arrows, text boxes, and other shapes. Even if the document is password protected, you can make these minor changes. Here’s a direct link to PDFEscape.
Edit PDF Files by Converting to Word
Converting PDF files to Microsoft Word or Excel document format is a straightforward method for editing them. These are a few examples of free software for converting PDF files to Word format.
BCL Research – This free program, available at pdfonline.com, converts PDF files to Word documents, including those containing tables, charts, and photos.
NitroPDF – Converts any PDF document, including those with graphics and tables, to Word format. NitroPDF, which is available at pdftoword.com, outperforms most other software but takes longer to complete.
You must upload the PDF file to NitroPDF and fill out the interface with your email address. Within 12 to 24 hours of conversion to Word, the file will email to you.
You can quickly change the file and convert it back to PDF format after converting it to Word using any PDF writer, such as CutePDF.
You can also print or save the updated document as a PDF using Microsoft Office’s native feature.
Advanced PDF Editing Tools
It is necessary to perform more advanced editing, such as changing PDF files’ images without interfering with the page’s formatting or flow.
PDF XChange – With the PDF Xchange viewer and editor, you can insert images into a PDF document on any page or position you want. It is not a web-based app; to use it, you must install the PDF Xchange software on your computer.
Inkscape – It is a free and open-source vector graphics editor that has features similar to Adobe Illustrator and CorelDraw. Inkscape can also open multiple PDF files on a single page simultaneously, allowing you to modify and rearrange components on your PDF file.
Remember that Inkscape does not design to edit PDF files and is not the most efficient PDF editing tool.
