Portable Document Format files, or PDF files, can be intimidating. Especially when adding extra forms to enhance the data they hold. If you are new to creating or sharing PDF files, you have probably noticed that they are not as easy to manipulate as other document formats.
The PDF has many features that can help you electronically display data to your readers in an outstanding and fun manner. This format also goes the extra mile to secure the data contained therein so that only the author of the file can change the file.
Though not everyone can edit a PDF file, the PDF format does allow both the author and the participating audience or readers of the file to contribute to the data in the file. Among the many options, a PDF document allows you to share your suggestions with other readers by using a text box.
In today's article, we will guide you and answer the following often asked questions about adding a text box to a PDF file:
- What is a text box?
- Why should I use a text box in a PDF file?
- How can I add a text box to PDF files on Windows?
- How can I add a text box to PDF files on Mac?
- How can I add a text box to PDF online?
- Can I add a text box to PDF using Google Docs?
What is a text box?
A text box or text field is an object or section with borders in a document in which you can input text for other readers to view. You can create a text box in any size to hold all the ideas you want to communicate to the other readers.
PDF files allow you access to tools to create a text box to communicate your ideas on a file. These tools include the text box icon, the callout text box icon, or shapes and lines that you can create a text box with provided in drawing tools in a PDF editor.
Why should I use a text box in a PDF file?
- A text box allows you to add a comment, an idea, a note, or any extra information you might have on a PDF document. It also allows you the freedom to place your textual ideas in any position in the file.
- Unlike other text input options on PFD, when you add a text box to a PDF file, it does not close up but remains open for the reader to view the information. This feature allows your readers to immediately catch a glimpse of your text box when they open the document.
- A text box highlights the text in it to draw the attention of the reader to it. You can format the borders of the text box to make it stand out from other text in the document. It allows you the freedom of coloring the borders or the text inside to any color you wish to capture your reader's attention.
- A text box not only allows you to input text but images as well. If you wish to share an image suggestion with other readers of the PDF document, you can input these on a text box as well.
- A text box wraps your text when you reach the right edge of the box to allow you to input as much text as you wish.
- You can add any number of text boxes as you wish on a PDF document.
Disadvantages of adding a text box to PDF
- A text box can limit the amount of text you can input.
- Adding multiple text boxes to your PDF can make it look cluttered and untidy.
How can I add a text box to PDF on Windows?
As earlier mentioned, you can add a text box on PDF using the text box icon, the callout text box option, or by drawing a text box using the Drawing and MarkUp tools option.
The text box icon,
is the most direct option for adding a text box to your PDF document. It allows you to draw out a text box of any size on any part of the document. It also lets you input new data into your text box.
You can also add a text box using the Callout icon,
on the Comment toolbar. A callout text box helps you single out or point out the suggestion you want to communicate to a particular point in the PDF file. It also has a text box to input your text suggestion and a knee-line to connect the text box with the end-point, which points to the exact text or paragraph in a PDF document.
The callout text box allows you to resize any of its three components as you wish. You can also color within and around it to better direct the attention of your audience where you need it most.
If you want to capture an existing piece of text in the document, you can draw a text box around the line or paragraph using the Drawing and MarkUp Tools provided in the comment toolbar. You can use the provided shape outlines or draw a free-form text box using the Line Tool.
To add a text box using the text box icon:
- Open the PDF file you wish to place a text box on
- On the top bar of your screen, to open the Comment Toolbar.
- On the Comment Toolbar, select the Text Box
- icon.
- Select a position on your document where you wish to place a text box, then click for it to appear.
- Drag your mouse on the text box to adjust the text box to your desired size.
- Click inside the text box to input your data.
To add a text box using the Callout Tool:
- On the Comment Toolbar, select the Drawing Tools icon.
- Click on the Add Text Callout
- icon.
- On your PDF file, click once to set where you'd like the end-point of the text point to appear, then click again to set where you'd like the text box to appear.
- Click inside the callout box to input your text.
To add a text box using the Drawing and MarkUp Tools:
- On the Comment toolbar, select the Drawing Tools
- icon.
- Select the Rectangle
- shape or the Line tool
- , as you wish.
- Point your mouse to the point in the document where you want the text box to appear.
- Click on the document once and drag your mouse to create a starting point for your text box.
- Click again to create the end-point of the text box.
