How to type on a PDF
Quick answer: To type on a PDF, open it in a PDF editor, choose Add text, tap the spot on the page where the words should go and start typing. Adjust the font, size and colour, drag the text box into place, then download the PDF. In Quick PDF this works on any PDF, including scans and forms without fillable boxes.
Sign in with Google or email and start editing. Saving your file starts a free trial: 7 days on yearly ($29.78/yr) or 2 days on monthly ($2.99/mo). Cancel anytime. 🔒 Your file stays on your device.
Whether you need to write your name on a sign-up sheet, answer questions on a worksheet, add an address to a letter or leave a note for a colleague, typing directly onto the PDF is cleaner than printing it and writing by hand.
Here is how to do it, how to make typed text sit neatly on lines and in boxes, and what to try when typing does not seem to work.
Type text on a PDF with Quick PDF
- Open the Add text tool Go to quickpdfapp.com, sign in, and open Add text to PDF, or open any file in the editor and pick Add text from the toolbar.
- Choose your PDF Select the file from your computer or phone. It opens in the browser on your device.
- Tap where you want to type Tap or click the exact spot on the page. A text box appears with a blinking cursor.
- Type and style the text Type your words, then set the font (Sans, Serif or Mono), size, colour and Bold. Black or dark blue looks most like handwritten forms.
- Position it precisely Drag the box so the text sits just above the line or inside the box. Zoom in for fine placement on small forms.
- Download or share Tap Download to save the typed PDF, or Share to send it from your phone.
Typing on a PDF vs. editing its text
There are two different things people mean by typing on a PDF:
- Adding new words in empty space, on a line or in a box. That is Add text, and it works on every PDF.
- Changing words that are already there, such as a wrong date in a letter. That is Edit text, which works on PDFs with real text (see how to edit a PDF).
If the document has real fillable boxes, you can also simply tap into them with Fill PDF form. For a flat form with only printed lines, Add text is the way to go.
Making typed text look neat
- Use one font size for the whole page. Mixing sizes is what makes typed forms look messy. Around the same height as the printed labels usually looks right.
- Line it up. Place the first text box, then line up the others to the same left edge as you go down the page.
- Pick Mono for boxed digits. Phone numbers, ZIP codes and account numbers in separate little boxes line up better with evenly spaced Mono letters.
- Keep it short. Text boxes do not wrap into the next line of the form automatically, so add a second box for a second line.
- Use Bold sparingly, for a heading or a total, not whole answers.
Typing on a PDF on your phone
On iPhone and Android, save the PDF first: on iPhone tap the share icon and Save to Files; on Android use Download in your email or chat app. Then open quickpdfapp.com in Safari or Chrome and choose the file.
Tap where you want the text, and the phone keyboard opens. Pinch to zoom so small lines are easier to hit, then drag the text box with one finger to fine-tune. When you are done, Share sends the PDF straight to Mail, Messages, WhatsApp or another app.
Other ways to type on a PDF
- Mac Preview: Tools, then Annotate, then Text adds a text box. Fine for a line or two.
- iPhone Markup: the plus button inside Markup adds a text box; sizing and lining up are fiddly on small screens.
- Microsoft Edge: the Add text button types on a PDF on Windows.
- Printing it: always works, but you then need to scan it back, which makes a bigger, harder-to-read file.
A dedicated editor helps when you are typing lots of answers, want consistent styling, need it to work the same on every device, or also need to add a date and a signature in the same file.
When typing doesn't work
- Tapping does nothing. You are probably in a preview app. Open the file in an editor and choose Add text first.
- The text appears in the wrong place. Drag it into position; you can move it any time before downloading.
- The keyboard covers the line on a phone. Type first, close the keyboard, then drag the box to the right spot.
- The text is too big for the box. Lower the size a step or two, or abbreviate.
- You need to cover something before typing over it. Use White-out first; see how to white out text in a PDF.
Questions people ask
How do I type on a PDF that is not fillable?
Open it in a PDF editor and use Add text. Tap on the line or box where the answer goes and type. You do not need fillable fields; the text is placed right on the page and looks the same when printed or shared.
Can I type on a PDF on my phone?
Yes. Save the PDF to Files on iPhone or Downloads on Android, open quickpdfapp.com in your browser and choose Add text. Tap the page, type with the phone keyboard and drag the box into place before you download or share it.
What font should I use when typing on a PDF?
For forms, Sans is clean and easy to read. Serif blends better with letters and legal documents set in a traditional font. Mono works well for numbers written into separate boxes. Use one size for the whole page.
Can I change typed text after placing it?
Yes. Before you download, tap the text box to edit the words, change the font or size, move it, or delete it. Undo and redo are also available. After downloading, you can open the new file and add more text.
Can I type on a scanned PDF?
Yes. Add text places text on top of any page, including scans and photos. If you need to replace words on the scan, cover them with White-out first and type over the white area.
Will the typed text show up when someone else opens the PDF?
Yes. The downloaded PDF includes your text, so it appears in any PDF reader, on any phone or computer, and when printed.
How do I write on a PDF by hand instead of typing?
Use the Draw tool. It lets you write or sketch freehand with your finger, a stylus or the mouse, with a choice of pen size and colour. Handwriting works best zoomed in. For answers people need to read easily, typed text is usually clearer.
Do I have to pay to use Quick PDF?
You can open a PDF and edit, sign or fill it after signing in with Google or email. To download, print or share the finished file you start a subscription with a free trial: 7 days on the yearly plan ($29.78 per year) or 2 days on the monthly plan ($2.99 per month). You are charged when the trial ends unless you cancel, and you can cancel anytime.
Sign in with Google or email and start editing. Saving your file starts a free trial: 7 days on yearly ($29.78/yr) or 2 days on monthly ($2.99/mo). Cancel anytime. 🔒 Your file stays on your device.