How to Add Text to a PDF (Including Scanned Documents)

Whether you're completing a form, annotating a contract, or labeling a diagram, adding text to a PDF is quick and free — no matter how the PDF was made.

Add text in three steps

1. Open your file in the PDF editor.
2. Select the Text tool and click where you want to type.
3. Type your text, then use the properties panel to set the font, size, and color. Drag the box to reposition it.

That's it — download when you're done.

It works on scanned PDFs too

Scanned documents are just images, so they have no clickable fields. The Text tool doesn't care: it places your text as a new layer on top of the page, so you can type onto a scan exactly like a normal PDF. For a full walkthrough see how to fill a scanned PDF with no form fields.

Formatting tips

• Match the document. Pick a font size close to the surrounding text so your addition looks native.
• Use Helvetica or Times for a classic, professional look.
• Align carefully. Zoom in to line text up with ruled lines or boxes.
• Add a whiteout box first if you're typing over existing content.

Make it permanent

When you download, keep Flatten enabled. This merges your text into the page so it renders the same everywhere and can't be moved by the recipient.

Keep it private

Because our editor runs locally, the text you add — and the document itself — never leaves your browser. That matters when you're annotating contracts or personal paperwork.

Open the editor and start typing on your PDF free.