4 Steps to Edit PDFs for Free - SrijibDutta/srijiblog GitHub Wiki

Online PDF editors were developed out of the need to edit PDFs and not only view them as they were originally intended. Originally, PDFs were meant only to be seen by their intended recipients and not edited in any way. PDFs were converted from other file types (Word documents, spreadsheets, etc.) that made them easier to share without users needing to install or download new software to view them. But, soon, the need arose for users to make changes to a PDF, which is when online PDF editors and other PDF editing software arose to make it easier to modify previously untouchable PDF documents.

Using Adobe Acrobat

Adobe was the company that created the PDF file type in the early 1990s. So it only makes sense that they would also develop PDF editing software for users to make changes to their PDF files. Adobe Acrobat came out shortly after the PDF file debuted and it quickly became the best way to make changes to any type of PDF file.

Since its original release, there have been several versions of the software released almost every year, with new updates and features included in each new version. To be sure, Adobe Acrobat is not free, although there is a version of the software available for free during a seven-day trial. If users opt to use the free trial version, they can edit and make changes to their PDF files easily. They can choose to download the free version and then open any of their PDF files in the Acrobat browser. Once opened, users are free to add or remove text, export other PDFs, as well as add or remove certain pages, change the page order, add dialog boxes for new text and fill out fillable PDF forms.

Using Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word is a ubiquitous program that is installed on every computer or laptop with Windows as its operating system. Apart from creating new documents and being a universally-used word processor, the program can also help users edit PDFs, with a few exceptions. Users can open PDFs in Microsoft Word, although there are some limitations. Word will convert the PDF into a Word document, but it will not import design elements like tables, charts, graphics, and other PDF-specific characters.

Once opened in Word, users can edit text and change fonts if they so desire, but they cannot add things like new pages or import other files into the Word/PDF file. After they have finished, users can save the new file as either a Word document or a PDF file.

Using Google Docs

Google Docs is now a widely used document creation and word processing program that has overtaken Microsoft Word as the most popular word processor. The advantage of Google Docs is its ability to save all changes instantaneously on the Google server so no change is ever lost. Google Docs is also popular for the ease with which users can share their documents across different platforms, while also maintaining its original format or design structure. Google Docs also lets users convert Docx files into other file types, but it also allows users to convert other file types into the Google platform like PDF files.

From Google Drive, users can click the New button to upload a file or they can choose an already uploaded PDF file and choose to open it with Google Docs. Once the PDF file has been opened with Google Docs it will only convert text from the original file and display it as a text-only document in Google Docs.

When opened in Google Docs, users will be able to only add or remove text from the file, as the conversion will remove any unreadable elements (like images, graphics, or a design layout) from the new file. If users want to only change the text of the file, this is the way to go, but if they want to perform other changes then using an online PDF editor is the better choice.

Using an Online PDF Editor

PDF editors have become widespread as the PDF format has become more universally used by everyone from professionals to students. There are now many different options that people have to easily view and edit their PDF files that have the same type of editing features as more expensive, and complicated PDF editing software.

One of these options is Lumin PDF, which is a user-friendly program that gives users the ability to perform all sorts of edits and changes to the PDF files. Lumin is free to use for a trial period, after which users can choose from several different subscription plans based on either weekly, monthly or yearly usage.

Lumin offers its users an entire suite of PDF editing features including viewing, editing, merging, and splitting PDF documents, along with compression and conversion tools. Lumin can sync up with cloud-based platforms like Google Drive and Dropbox so any changes made to a PDF file are automatically saved.

Lumin is available online or for download for offline users on any number of devices from laptops to tablets to smartphones. Lumin has a very user-friendly interface that is welcoming and navigable for new users. Users can import their files from other servers or their local hard drive and begin editing or changing the files right away.