How do I change text in a PDF that was made from a scan?

Open the scanned PDF in Acrobat. Click 'Edit' in the global bar. Acrobat will automatically run OCR to convert the image text into editable text. Click on the text you want to change and type your corrections. Always proofread the OCR output, especially for numbers and names, as it can make mistakes like confusing '0' and 'O' or '1' and 'l'.

What is the difference between an embedded font and an installed font when editing a PDF?

Feature Embedded Font Installed Font. Definition Font data is saved inside the PDF file itself. Font files are present on your computer's operating system. Viewing PDF PDF looks the same on any computer, even without the font installed. PDF may look different if the font is not installed on the viewer's computer. Editing PDF Acrobat still needs the font installed locally to let you edit text using it. Allows you to edit text using that font directly in Acrobat. Solution for Editing You must install the font or activate it (e.g., Adobe Fonts). No extra steps needed if the font is already installed.

Post-Publication Brand Corrections in Adobe Acrobat — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

1 way to ask · copy any one

DBecome — “help me grow”In the last [issues=6] issues, inconsistent brand capitalization and missing legal lines caused…+

In the last [issues=6] issues, inconsistent brand capitalization and missing legal lines caused three post-publication corrections. Identify the habitual points where brand normalization fails in our workflow and recommend one practical control—naming convention, a short QA checklist, or a macro—we can implement today to stop those corrections from reaching publication.

when the reply comes backPush once: ask it to sharpen the weakest part, and to say what it assumed.

How to do it

the tool · the steps · what to avoid

1
Open the PDF document you want to edit in Adobe Acrobat.
2
Select the Edit Text tool from the right pane or the toolbar.
3
Click on the text you want to change, fix, or update.
4
Type to modify, correct, or update the existing 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 or text box size to better match the original layout.

In the appWith the API

You can undo text edits immediately by pressing Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Command+Z (Mac) if you make a mistake.

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

Glossary

words on this page

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.

Embed FontsTo save the font information directly inside the PDF file, so it looks the same on any computer.ExampleSaving the document with embedded fonts ensures that everyone sees the exact same text style.

PreflightA way to check files for problems before sharing or printing.ExampleYou preflight your magazine layout to catch low-resolution images or incorrect color profiles before sending it to the printer.

Who does this

3 roles

EditorTechnical WriterLegal Assistant

FAQ

about this task

Open the scanned PDF in Acrobat.
Click 'Edit' in the global bar.
Acrobat will automatically run OCR to convert the image text into editable text.
Click on the text you want to change and type your corrections.
Always proofread the OCR output, especially for numbers and names, as it can make mistakes like confusing '0' and 'O' or '1' and 'l'.

Acrobat shows 'Font not available' because the specific font used in the PDF is not installed on your computer. Even if the font is embedded in the PDF, your system needs to have it installed locally to allow editing. To fix this, you can install the missing font on your computer, activate it if it's an Adobe Font, or use Acrobat's 'Print Production > Preflight > Embed missing fonts' option to ensure the font is fully available for editing.

To edit a PDF without changing its original look, it's important to match the new text to the existing font, size, and color. If you use a different style, the edit will stand out. For scanned pages, sometimes adding a new text box on top of the existing content can preserve the page layout better than converting the entire page to editable text, especially if the OCR is imperfect.

No, you cannot automate text corrections in a PDF using code or a script. Adobe Acrobat does not provide any REST API operations that allow you to edit PDF text or content. This type of action must be performed manually using the desktop or web user interface of Acrobat.

Feature	Embedded Font	Installed Font
Definition	Font data is saved inside the PDF file itself.	Font files are present on your computer's operating system.
Viewing PDF	PDF looks the same on any computer, even without the font installed.	PDF may look different if the font is not installed on the viewer's computer.
Editing PDF	Acrobat still needs the font installed locally to let you edit text using it.	Allows you to edit text using that font directly in Acrobat.
Solution for Editing	You must install the font or activate it (e.g., Adobe Fonts).	No extra steps needed if the font is already installed.

Post-Publication Brand Corrections

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