How to add text to a PDF for free
Updated November 2, 2026
Many forms arrive as PDFs that can't be filled in directly. You don't have to print them: you can type straight onto the page, then save a new copy.
Add text in three steps
Open the PDF editor and drop your file in the box. It stays on your device.
- Choose the "Add text" tool, then click where the text should go.
- Type your text, then adjust its font, size and color in the panel.
- Drag the text into place, then click "Download".
Line up your text on a form
Zoom in before you place text so it sits neatly on the lines. Match the size of the printed text, and use dark text for a form that may be scanned or photocopied later. Fill in one field first, then check it before you do the rest.
Adding text or changing text?
Adding places new text on top of the page and leaves everything else as it was. To correct words already in the document, use the "Edit text" tool instead, which works on the original line.
Before you submit a form
Open the saved PDF in your usual reader and check every field. If an organization requires its own online form or an original signature, follow its instructions.