How to Edit a PDF Without Adobe

Editing PDFs without Adobe Acrobat Pro can be frustrating, but it doesn’t have to be. Adobe is pricey and often overkill for simple edits. With the right tools, you can easily add text, rearrange pages, and modify documents. And the best part is, you don’t need any technical expertise. Here’s how to edit a PDF without Adobe.

Why Is It Hard to Edit PDFs Without Adobe?

Originally, Adobe intended PDFs to be printable only and not editable so unauthorized users couldn’t manipulate them. Adobe has since released Acrobat Pro, which gives you access to many editing capabilities. However, Adobe doesn’t have a monopoly on allowing users to edit PDFs. Other solutions include our PDF editor or editing via third-party word processors.

If you need to work with a PDF in a different format, our PDF converter makes it easy to convert your document without losing its original layout and formatting. We give you the flexibility you need so that you can work efficiently and accurately.

How to Edit a PDF File Without Adobe Acrobat Pro

If you want to learn how to edit a PDF without paying for Adobe, you’re in luck. Legal Templates offers an easy-to-use PDF editor with plenty of features to meet your creative or professional needs. We’ll explore using our PDF editor plus two other methods that you can use in a pinch.

1. Use an Adobe Acrobat Alternative (Easiest)

Here at Legal Templates, we’ve created an intuitive PDF editor that helps you make your desired changes. Here’s a brief overview of how it works:

1. Upload the PDF from your device.
2. Use the page preview to select different pages.
3. Make edits using the various editing features.
4. Save and download the document as a PDF.
5. Send to others for signatures if needed.

Functionalities in Our PDF Editor

You can complete all your edits online within our platform from adding images and shapes to redacting and formatting text. Plus, the PDF stays in its original format, so you don’t risk misaligning any elements.

If you want to dig deeper, you can use our specialized tools for specific functions:

• merge a PDF
• compress a PDF
• split a PDF
• make a PDF
• rotate a PDF
• organize a PDF
• delete PDF pages
• extract pages from a PDF

2. Edit a PDF in Google Docs

If you need to edit a PDF quickly but don’t have Acrobat, Google Docs can step in. It’s a convenient option for some text edits, but it may not be the best solution for PDFs with complex layouts, tables, or images. Google Docs isn’t a dedicated PDF editor, so expect some formatting issues. Nonetheless, it’s still a decent solution if you don’t have other tools at your disposal. Here’s a look into the process:

1. Log into your Google Drive
2. Click “New,” then select “File”
3. Find the PDF you want to edit and select it to upload
4. Locate the PDF in your Google Drive
5. Right-click and select “Open with Google Docs”
6. Make your desired edits within Google Docs.
7. Click “Download” and select “PDF” to save your document

3. Edit a PDF in Microsoft Word

If you have Microsoft Word on your computer, you can edit PDFs without Acrobat. However, it can present issues similar to those of Google Docs. Microsoft Word was created to support .docx files, so it may present formatting issues if your PDF has complex elements. Be prepared to encounter inconsistent spacing, broken headers, altered fonts, and other issues.

In any case, using Word can still be helpful if you don’t have another means of editing your document. Here’s an overview of the process:

1. Open the Word application
2. Click “File,” then “Open”
3. Locate the PDF you want to edit
4. Select your desired PDF
5. Give Word permission to make a copy of your PDF
6. Wait for Word to convert it into a format it can work with
7. Make your edits directly in Word
8. Save your edited file as a PDF or Word document

How to Edit a PDF on Mac Without Adobe

If you operate on macOS, you can use macOS’s Preview app to access basic editing features, which include highlighting and annotating text, adding signatures, and customizing fonts. However, you won’t be able to change existing text or images. Check out how it works below:

1. Go to the Preview app on Mac
2. Open the PDF you want to edit
3. Click the drawing marker icon to activate the Markup toolbar
4. Use the provided tools to annotate the PDF
5. Save with editable annotations by clicking “File” > “Save” or “File” > “Export to PDF”
6. Save with non-editable annotations by clicking “File” > “Print,” then “Save as PDF”

Why Choose Adobe Alternatives for PDF Editing

While Adobe Acrobat Pro is reliable, it can be quite expensive compared to other tools that offer a cheaper convenience for users.

Plus, users say that Acrobat is more complex to use. While Acrobat has an online version, its more advanced features are only available on the desktop application. Its desktop version can be difficult to navigate if you don’t have much experience working with PDFs.

Edit a PDF Without Adobe – Try It Now

Tired of searching for a way to edit a PDF without Adobe? Look no further than Legal Templates’s PDF editor. Upload your PDF and edit it online hassle-free, all while maintaining the document’s original format.

Get started with our 7-day free trial today. In addition to our PDF editor, you’ll get access to a comprehensive library of legal forms, from bills of sale to lease agreements and everything in between.

Frequently Asked Questions