Edit a PDF — add text, images, shapes
Add text, paste images, and place shapes on any page of a PDF. The first version uses a simple form-based placement; an interactive canvas editor is coming next.
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Editing PDFs has historically required expensive desktop software like Adobe Acrobat. PDFOnly's PDF editor lets you do the most common edits — adding text, images, and shapes, covering up content, redacting sensitive info — directly in your browser. The interactive editor renders each page exactly as it appears in the final PDF, lets you click to place new content, drag to reposition, and shows you exactly what your output will look like before you commit. Free for files up to 100 MB, no software install, no signup required.
How to edit pdf step by step
- 1
Upload your PDF
Drop the PDF you want to edit. We render every page client-side using pdf.js so you see exactly what's in the document before making changes.
- 2
Add overlays from the toolbar
Pick 'Text' to add a text block at the page center, 'Rectangle' for a filled or outlined shape. Each overlay defaults to a sensible position; drag it where you actually want it.
- 3
Drag and edit each overlay
Click an overlay to select it. The inspector panel on the right shows its properties — text content, font size, dimensions, fill style. Edit any of these and the preview updates live.
- 4
Navigate pages with the prev/next buttons
Each overlay belongs to one page. Switch pages with the navigator and add overlays to other pages as needed. The editor remembers everything until you click Apply Edits.
- 5
Apply edits and download
Click 'Apply Edits' to bake your overlays into the PDF. The output is a fresh PDF with everything flattened — recipients see your edits but can't peel them off.
Why edit pdf on PDFOnly
Live in-page preview
Most PDF editors show a wireframe preview that doesn't match the final output. Ours uses pdf.js to render the actual page so you see typography, spacing, and overlays exactly as they'll appear.
No flattening surprises
Your overlays are baked into the page on download. Recipients can't move, edit, or remove them — useful for redactions and final-version stamps.
Browser-native, zero install
Same workflow on Mac, Windows, Linux, iPad. No download, no Adobe license, no plugin.
What people use edit pdf for
A few common scenarios. If your workflow looks like one of these, this tool is a good fit.
Fix a typo in a finalized contract
Cover the wrong word with a filled white rectangle, type the correct text on top, save. Faster than digging up the original Word source and re-exporting.
Add a logo or signature stamp to a delivered PDF
Drop your company logo on the first page, or stamp your initials next to a signature line. The image is embedded at full quality.
Redact sensitive information
Cover names, account numbers, or PII with filled black rectangles. Use Compress PDF afterwards to permanently flatten the redactions into the page (so the original text underneath isn't recoverable).
Add notes or callouts on review documents
Highlight a paragraph with a yellow rectangle, add a note in red text — perfect for marking up a draft before sending it back.
What you get
- Live page-by-page preview as you edit — what you see is what you get
- Add text overlays in any font size at any position on any page
- Add image overlays — logos, signatures, photos, watermarks
- Add filled or outlined rectangles — useful for redaction or highlighting
- Drag to reposition, click to select, edit properties in the side panel
- Output is a fresh PDF with your overlays merged into each page
- Free for the basics, no watermarks on output
Frequently asked questions
Can I edit existing text in the PDF?
Editing existing text isn't supported in the visual editor yet — PDFs don't store words as flowing text, so changing existing text reliably is harder than it looks. Workaround: cover the old text with a white rectangle and add your new text on top. The visible result is the same.
Can I add images?
Yes — upload an image (PNG, JPG, WebP) via the editor's image button, then drop it onto any page and drag to position. Useful for logos, signature stamps, watermarks, or inline diagrams.
Will my edits be permanently part of the PDF?
Yes — when you click 'Apply Edits', overlays are flattened into the page content. Recipients can't drag them off or recover what was underneath. (For audit-trail-style edits with revisable history, you'd need a different tool.)
What fonts can I use for added text?
We embed Helvetica and Helvetica Bold by default — universally available in any PDF reader. Custom font support is on the roadmap.
Can I redact (permanently hide) sensitive data?
Yes — add filled black rectangles over the sensitive areas. After clicking 'Apply Edits', the rectangles are baked into the page. Run Compress PDF afterwards if you want to ensure the original text behind the rectangles is removed from the file (compression rasterizes pages, eliminating the underlying text data).
Does the PDF stay searchable after editing?
Yes — your overlays add to the existing text content rather than replacing it. The original text layer remains searchable, and your added text becomes searchable too (if it's a real text overlay, not an image of text).
Can I edit a password-protected PDF?
Not while it's encrypted. Use Unlock PDF first with the password, then edit the unlocked file.
Ready to edit pdf?
Free to use for the basics. Files are auto-deleted within an hour and never used to train AI.
Open Edit PDF