How to Use a Free PDF Editor | Tips & Examples

PDFs are one of the most widely used file formats in the workplace, but they’re notoriously difficult to edit without the right tools. If you’ve ever collaborated on project proposals, meeting agendas, contracts, or any type of technical writing, you’ve probably experienced challenges with how to edit a PDF or how to type on a PDF. That’s where a PDF editor comes in.

A PDF editor is a tool that allows you to modify PDFs without specialized software or advanced skills. QuillBot’s PDF editor gives you the flexibility to do more with your documents, and it’s completely free to use.

Why edit PDFs online?

A free online PDF editor offers a wide variety of benefits for anyone who needs to edit PDFs. Because this tool is so versatile, you can complete time-sensitive tasks from anywhere at any time.

  • You don’t need special software to use an online PDF editor.
  • It’s accessible from any device, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
  • An online PDF editor also works with any operating system (e.g., WIndows, Mac, Linux, and iOS).

No matter what type of device or operating system you and your collaborators are using, you can use a free online PDF editor to:

  • Fill out forms
  • Add new text
  • Insert images
  • Sign documents
  • Make annotations
  • Reorder or insert new pages
PDF editor example 
Tish and her business partner Leroy are working on a business plan to expand their small landscaping company. She emailed Leroy a PDF of the current draft and asked him to add photographs of past landscaping projects. Leroy uses a free online PDF editor to add the images and then emails the PDF back to Tish.

Who can use QuillBot’s online PDF editor?

Anyone who needs to edit a PDF can use QuillBot’s online PDF editor because it’s free and easy to use. You don’t need special software or advanced knowledge about how to edit pdf documents. Some of the many people who benefit from it include:

  • Professionals who work on reports, contracts, project briefs, or other business documents
  • Students who annotate textbooks or submit assignments as PDFs
  • Job seekers who need to update resumes or cover letters
  • Content creators who collaborate on writing and editing tasks
  • Researchers who annotate journal articles or document key findings

How to edit a PDF online with QuillBot

QuillBot’s online PDF editor gives you an intuitive, all-in-one solution for PDF tasks. Whether you’re reviewing documents, signing contracts, or collaborating with your teammates, it’s never been easier to edit PDFs. Here’s how to edit a PDF document with QuillBot.

Upload your PDF

Go to QuillBot’s PDF editor page and upload the file you want to edit. The tool works directly in your browser. Once you upload your PDF, the file and QuillBot’s PDF editor tools will display in the top right.

Screenshot of QuillBot's PDF Editor

Adjust your PDF as needed

Use the tools in the top right corner to make the necessary edits in your PDF. With these tools, you can:

  • Highlight text or images
  • Add a text box
  • Draw on the document
  • Add an image

Screenshot of how to use QuillBot's PDF Editor

Save and share

After you make the necessary changes, click “save” to download a copy of your edited PDF to your device. Then, you can share the edited PDF with your collaborators via email, text, Slack, or whichever platform your team uses.

Features of QuillBot’s PDF editor

QuillBot’s PDF editor offers a variety of helpful features. Here are some of the many PDF tasks you can complete for free.

Highlight text

If you’re reviewing a document to suggest edits, the highlighter is a great way to make your feedback more visible. After you click the highlight icon, choose a highlight color and adjust the thickness. Then, drag your cursor across the text you want to highlight.

Add text boxes

The text box tool in our PDF editor is perfect for adding comments for your collaborators or adding new information to the document. Here’s how to type on a PDF with QuillBot’s PDF editor.

Select the “T” icon in the top right toolbar. Then, click on the part of the document where you need to add text, and start typing in the textbox that appears. You can also adjust the height and width of the box.

Sign documents

With our PDF editor, signing a PDF is quick and easy. All you have to do is click the drawing tool, place your cursor over the signature line, and sign your name. You can also use this tool to draw lines or mark areas of your PDF that need attention.

Add images

The image tool allows you to add photographs, charts, or other visual aids anyplace in the PDF. When you click on the image tool, QuillBot’s PDF editor will prompt you to upload an image from the device that you’re using. Then, you can adjust the size of your image as needed.

Print

Use the print button to make a hard copy of your PDF.

Tip
If you’re working on a lengthy PDF (such as a technical manual or report), add an executive summary to the beginning of the document. A short synopsis of the document’s main purpose and contents will make your PDF reader friendly. QuillBot’s free executive summary generator can do this for you in seconds.

One tool for all PDF editing needs

QuillBot’s online PDF editor is your versatile, all-in-one tool for any PDF task you’re working on. No matter who you’re collaborating with, what devices you you use, or where you’re working, you never have to delay urgent PDF edits again. Give it a try today, and see for yourself how convenient PDF edits can be with the best free PDF editor.

Frequently asked questions about how to use a PDF editor

Can I use a PDF editor on a smartphone?

Yes, you can use a PDF editor on a smartphone. For example, if you need to sign a contract that you received via email, you can upload the PDF to QuillBot’s free PDF editor and use the drawing tool to sign your name. 

 

You can also highlight text, add text boxes, or upload images, all from the convenience of your smartphone.

What’s the difference between a PDF editor and a PDF viewer?

A PDF editor allows you to make changes to a PDF, but with a PDF viewer, you can only read the contents of the PDF. Many devices only have a PDF viewer. When you need to make changes to PDFs, the QuillBot PDF editor is completely free to use.

Is it safe to edit PDFs online?

Yes, it is safe to edit PDFs online if they don’t include sensitive personal data (e.g., health, financial, or academic records). QuillBot’s online PDF editor is perfect for editing a wide variety of PDFs, but always use caution with confidential documents and omit confidential data before you upload PDFs.

Can I edit text in a PDF for free?

Yes, you can edit text in a PDF for free. With QuillBot’s free online PDF editor, you can add a text box anywhere in a PDF. You can then edit any of the text that you added with QuillBot’s PDF editor.

Free PDF editors don’t allow you to edit a PDF’s original text, but they do allow you to highlight and annotate anything in the document.

Can I highlight or annotate in an online PDF editor?

Yes, you can highlight and annotate in an online PDF editor. QuillBot’s online PDF editor has tools for highlighting and annotating, and it’s completely free to use. To highlight text or images in a PDF, select the highlighting tool in the top right toolbar. Use the textbox tool to add annotations.

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QuillBot. (2025, September 09). How to Use a Free PDF Editor | Tips & Examples. Quillbot. Retrieved October 16, 2025, from https://quillbot.com/blog/pdf-tools/how-to-edit-pdf/

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