How do I edit text in a PDF document using Adobe Acrobat?

First, open your PDF in Adobe Acrobat. Click the 'Edit' button in the global bar to enter editing mode. Then, click on the text you want to change and type your new words. Finally, save your document to keep the changes.

Why does Adobe Acrobat say 'Font not available' when I try to edit a PDF?

Adobe Acrobat shows 'Font not available' because the font needed for the text is not installed on your computer. Even if the font is embedded in the PDF, Acrobat needs it locally to let you edit. To fix this, you should install the missing font on your system, activate it through Adobe Fonts, or use the 'Preflight' tool under 'Print Production' to embed missing fonts if possible.

What is the best way to edit a scanned PDF page in Adobe Acrobat?

When editing a scanned PDF, Acrobat first runs OCR to turn the image into editable text. However, OCR can sometimes make mistakes, especially with numbers or similar-looking letters. For complex layouts or if OCR output is poor, it's often better to add a new text box on top of the scanned page and type your new text there. Always proofread the OCR output carefully, especially for important details like names, dates, or totals.

How can I make sure my edited text matches the original text in a PDF?

Match the font: Use the same font as the existing text. Match the size: Keep the font size consistent. Match the color: Use the exact same text color. Match the alignment: Make sure your text lines up with the surrounding text.

Can I use an API to automatically change text in a PDF with Adobe Acrobat?

No, you cannot use an API to automatically change text in a PDF with Adobe Acrobat. Editing PDF text and content is a feature that is only available through the desktop or web user interface. There are no REST operations for this specific action.

◆ Acrobat · edit

Edit text in a scanned PDF using OCR

Edit the lyric sheet PDF to correct the misspelling of ‘morning’ to ‘mourning’ on page 4 and update the songwriter att…

3ready prompts

1real task

3roles

See the prompt↓More edit workflows

When to use it

real situations

You need to fix a spelling mistake in a scanned school report.
You want to update dates on a scanned contract before sending it.
You must translate a scanned flyer into another language.

AI prompts

3 ways to ask · copy any one

AExecute — “help me do it”Help me edit the text in my scanned PDF file. The file is...…+

Help me edit the text in my scanned PDF file. The file is [describe or attach your PDF], and I want to change [describe what needs editing].

when the reply comes backWant to save your edited PDF as a new file?

BImprove — “do it better”Can you improve the accuracy of the text from OCR in...…+

Can you improve the accuracy of the text from OCR in my scanned PDF? Here is the file: [describe or attach your PDF].

when the reply comes backNeed tips for better OCR results with blurry scans?

CDecide — “help me choose”Should I use Adobe Acrobat or another tool to edit scanned...…+

Should I use Adobe Acrobat or another tool to edit scanned PDF text? My main needs are [list your needs, like accuracy or speed].

when the reply comes backLooking for ways to translate the edited text?

How to do it

the tool · the steps · what to avoid

1
Open your PDF file in Adobe Acrobat.
2
Select the Edit PDF tool from the right pane or the toolbar.
3
Click on the text you want to edit in the PDF.
4
Type to add, delete, or change the text as needed.
5
Click outside the text box or press Esc to finish editing.
6
Save the PDF to keep your changes.
Best practiceIf you notice formatting issues after editing, try adjusting the font size or spacing for better alignment.

In the appWith the API

You can undo text edits immediately by pressing Ctrl+Z or using the Undo option in the Edit menu.

This runs in the Acrobat app - there is no separate API for this task.

Glossary

words on this page

Scanned PDFA PDF made from pictures of pages, not real text.ExampleThe old book you downloaded was a 'Scanned PDF', so you couldn't highlight any text directly.

OCROCR stands for Optical Character Recognition. It is technology that turns images of text into real text you can search and copy.ExampleAfter scanning a paper invoice, OCR allows you to copy the vendor's name from the image.

Adobe AcrobatA program used to view and edit PDF files.ExampleYou use Adobe Acrobat to open and read the instruction manual.

Who does this

3 roles

Administrative AssistantContent EditorLegal Secretary

FAQ

about this task

To edit text in a scanned PDF with Adobe Acrobat, you use the OCR feature, which turns the scanned image into real text you can change. After running OCR, you can click on the text and type in your edits.

OCR stands for Optical Character Recognition. It is a tool that reads the letters from a scanned picture and turns them into editable text, making it possible to change words in scanned PDFs.

If the text is not editing well, it could be because the scan is blurry or the OCR did not recognize the words properly. Try rescanning the document or adjusting the OCR settings for better results.

Adobe Acrobat's OCR works best with printed text, not handwriting. Handwritten words may not be recognized correctly, so you might need to type them in yourself after OCR.

A normal PDF already has text you can select and change, but a scanned PDF is just a picture of a page. You need to use OCR to turn the picture into real text before you can edit it.

Edit text in a scanned PDF using OCR

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources

Adobe help

Video

Other guides

When it fails