How to Insert Text Box In PDF Document [With/Without Adobe]

Are you looking to learn how to insert text box in PDF document on Mac/Windows? PDFs are commonly used for sharing documents because they maintain consistent formatting across devices.?

• But sometimes, you may need to add or highlight information in a PDF, and inserting a text box is a simple solution.?
• Whether it’s for comments, annotations, or filling in missing form fields, text boxes make it easy to add text directly.
• While Adobe Acrobat is a popular tool for editing PDFs, its subscription cost can be a barrier for many.?

In this post, we’ll disclose different ways to insert text boxes in PDFs, with or without Adobe Acrobat on Mac/Windows. We’ll explain the features, pros, and cons and provide easy-to-follow instructions to use each option!

Part 1: How to Insert Text Box In PDF Document - At a Glance

Part 2: How to Insert Text Box in PDF Document Without Acrobat in Seconds?

Tenorshare PDNob PDF Editor is the best free tool to insert a text box in a PDF document without using Acrobat. Other than that, it offers various PDF management features such as image & text editing, and adding watermarks, backgrounds, bates number, header, and footer. It can also compress, merge, and encrypt PDF files. Have a look at other functions of this tool:

• 30+ Formats - Supports conversion to and from over 30 formats, including Word, Excel, PPT, images, EPUB, and PDF/A.
• 200+ Annotations - Offers over 200 annotation options like highlights, shapes, and notes.
• Image Editing - Easily insert, replace, or adjust images.
• Batch Processing - Handles large files with no size limits, up to 1 million files.
• 99% OCR Accuracy - Converts scanned PDFs into editable and searchable text while preserving the layout.
• AI Assistance - Uses GPT-4 to provide quick summaries, insights, and answers for long documents.
• Screenshot Capability - Capture the entire editing or redaction process.
• Multilingual Support - Available in 16+ languages, including English, Chinese, and French.
• Responsive Tech Support - Provides fast customer support for a smooth experience.

Here’s how to insert text box in PDF document with Tenorshare PDNob PDF Editor:

Step 1: Download Tenorsare PDNob PDF Editor from the official site. Then, install it on your computer and execute it.

Step 2: Click “Open PDF” and upload your PDF document. Next, head to “Edit” in the menu bar.

Step 3: Tap “Add Text.” Then, click on the document anywhere you wish to insert a text box.?

Step 4: Double click text to open the customization toolbar. You can adjust spacing, coloring, size and font, etc from there.

Step 5: Afterward, head to “File.” Then, tap “Save as” to save the changes in your PDF document.

Part 3: How to Insert Text Box In PDF Document Without Acrobat Free on PC?

If you don’t want to install a third-party tool on your computer, there are two ways to insert a text box in your PDF document without Adobe. However, keep in mind that these methods don’t provide advanced text editing features. But if you’re looking to add basic text, you can either use Microsoft Edge on Windows or the Preview feature on Mac. Here, we’ve explained both methods in detail:

Method 1: Microsoft Edge [For Win]

The Microsoft Edge browser for Windows lets you add text directly to PDFs, customize the font color, size, and spacing, and use annotation tools like highlighting and drawing. It also supports filling out forms, and multiple languages (English, Spanish, French, German, etc.). Here’s how to add a text box on a PDF with Microsoft Edge:

Step 1: Open the PDF in Edge. Then, click the “Add Text” button in the menu bar. If you can’t find the button, right-click anywhere in the PDF and select “Add Text.”

Step 2: Tap the desired spot in the PDF to insert a textbox. Next, choose the text color, size, or spacing. Then, click the “Save” icon in the top-right corner.

Pros:

• Add text directly to PDFs.
• Simple interface with an easy-to-use toolbar.
• Customize font color, size, and spacing.
• Use annotation tools like highlighting and drawing.
• Fill out forms without extra software.
• Supports multiple languages like English, Spanish, French, and German.

Cons:

• Limited features compared to dedicated PDF editors.
• Occasional issues with the “Add Text” button.
• Not all languages are supported.
• Not for advanced text editing.

Method 2: Preview [For Mac]

Preview is a built-in tool on Mac that allows you to add text boxes to PDFs using the Markup Toolbar. You can also customize the font, size, color, and position of the text. In addition, the tool offers annotation features like highlighting, drawing, and adding shapes, making it great for feedback and collaboration. Here’s how to add text box to PDF with Preview:

Step 1: Open the PDF in Preview. Then, head to “Tools.”?

Step 2: Next, click “Annotate.” Then, choose “Text.” Type in the text box, and move it to the desired spot.

Step 3: You can use the toolbar to adjust text color, font, size, alignment, or add a background color. Afterward, head to “File.” Then, choose “Save” to save modifications.

Pros:

• Free and built into macOS.
• Easy-to-use interface.
• Integrates well with macOS features.
• Great for annotations and feedback.

Cons:

• Cannot edit existing PDF text, only add annotations.
• Text boxes default to the center and need manual adjustment.
• Doesn’t support vertical text or changing text box orientation.
• Lacks advanced features of dedicated PDF editors.
• Limited support for some PDF features or formats.

Part 4: How to Insert Text Box in PDF Document Without Acrobat on Phone?

If you want to insert a text box in a PDF on your phone, an online tool like Sejda PDF Editor is a good option. It allows you to add text boxes to PDFs, create fillable forms with fields like checkboxes and dropdowns, and edit existing text. The tool also supports annotations, image insertion, hyperlink management, file compression, batch processing, and OCR for converting scanned PDFs to searchable text. Here’s how to add a fillable text box in PDF for free on phone with Sejda PDF Editor:

Step 1: Visit the “Create Fillable PDF Online.” Then, choose “Upload PDF file” to add your PDF document.

Step 2: Next, choose “Text Field” from the menu bar to insert a text box. Type text and move the box to your desired spot. Hit “Apply changes” and download the document.

Pros:

• Simple, and user-friendly interface.
• Provides advanced PDF editing tasks.
• Browser-based so there’s no need for installation.
• Ascertains file privacy with secure uploads and deletions.

Cons:

• The free version limits file size, number of pages, and tasks per hour.
• Occasional instability with the online editor.
• Lacks advanced features of offline PDF editors.

Part 5: How to Insert Text Box in PDF Document for Filling Out Forms?

If you want to add a text box for filling out forms in a PDF document, no app could be better than LibreOffice Draw. It can add text boxes to PDFs, and create fillable forms with text fields, checkboxes, and dropdowns. You can also add annotations like highlights and comments with this tool. Furthermore, LibreOffice also enables you to insert images, edit existing text, and export the document as a fillable PDF form. Here’s how to add fillable text box in PDF with this tool:

Step 1: Open LibreOffice Draw on your computer. Then, head to “File.” Choose “Open” and select the PDF document.

Step 2: Next, head to “View.” Then, choose “Toolbars.” Afterward, select “Form Controls” to enable it.

Step 3: Next, tap the “Text Box” icon (ABC) in “Form Controls” and draw it where needed. Customize the text box size, position, and properties.

Step 4: Select “File.” After this, choose “Export.” Then, pick “Export as PDF.” Make certain to tick mark “Create PDF Form.” Save and close the document.

Step 5: Open the saved PDF document in Microsoft Edge and start adding text to the fillable text field.

Pros:

• Free and open-source.
• Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• No installation is needed.
• Process files locally, ascertaining privacy.
• Supports various PDF editing tasks.

Cons:

• Cannot edit all PDF features, especially complex ones.
• PDFs may lose quality when imported as images.
• Some features have a learning curve.
• Not all PDF features are perfectly compatible.

Part 6: How to Insert Text Box in PDF Document With Adobe Acrobat?

Adobe Acrobat offers a “Form field auto detection” feature that can automatically insert fillable text boxes in PDFs. It also provides options to customize font, size, color, and alignment and you can add interactive elements like checkboxes and comments. Moreover, the tool offers both online and offline editing options, and the edited PDFs are compatible across different devices without formatting issues. Here’s how to add a fillable text box in Adobe PDF with Adobe Acrobat software:

Step 1: Open Adobe Acrobat Pro DC on your computer. Then, head to “Tools.” Next, pick “Prepare Form” beneath the “Forms & Signatures” section.

Step 2: Tap “Select a file” to import your PDF, with the “Form field auto detection” feature enabled.

Step 3: Acrobat will automatically analyze and add form fields to the PDF.?

Step 4: To add an extra text box, click the “Text box” icon in the upper panel and place it on the PDF. Save the edited PDF document.

Pros:

• Offers a wide range of editing tools for improving PDFs.
• Ascertains professional-quality text boxes and elements.
• Supports accessibility features for users with disabilities.
• Provides security options like passwords and digital signatures.
• You can select and delete unwanted text fields.

Cons:

• New users may find the software difficult to learn.
• Adobe Acrobat is quite expensive.
• Editing large PDFs can slow down the software, especially on older computers.
• OCR accuracy can be inconsistent when editing scanned PDFs.

FAQs about How to Insert Text Box in PDF Document

1. How do I add a fillable textbox to a PDF without Acrobat?

You can use Tenorshare PDNob PDF Editor to add a fillable textbox to your PDF document. It’s free, easy to use, and provides various text customization options like spacing, font, colors, etc.

2. Can I paste a text box on a PDF?

You can’t paste a textbox directly on a PDF. However, you can add one using a PDF editor software.

3. Can the inserted text boxes be used for submitting electronic forms?

Yes. The text boxes you add can be used to submit electronic forms, as long as the PDF is designed to be fillable and supports form submission.

It’s Good to Chat

So that’s all there’s to learn about how to insert text box in PDF document. You can add text boxes to PDFs using built-in tools like Microsoft Edge and Preview, online editors like Sejda, or software like LibreOffice Draw and Adobe Acrobat.?

While each has its strengths and weaknesses, the Tenorshare PDNob PDF Editor tool takes the cake due to its user-friendly interface and advanced customization options. It offers comprehensive PDF editing and management features and functions like batch processing, OCR, screen recording, and AI assistance.