Add Text & Annotations to PDF Online — add text, images, and shapes to any PDF page
Place text boxes, images, shapes, and icons anywhere on a page, lock elements in place, and generate a clean PDF document.
Overlays become flattened content. Elements you place are merged into an image layer in the final PDF. They cannot be edited as selectable text after downloading. The document's original text is preserved.
The editing console
Upload a PDF, add your elements, lock what you want to protect, and generate your updated document.
Adds new content overlays
This editor places new elements on top of your pages. It cannot edit or delete pre-existing text inside the PDF file. To cover text, place a solid-colored rectangle over it and add your new text box.
Drag & drop a PDF here
or browse files from your device
Add content to a PDF, without changing its original text
This is an overlay editor designed to annotate, stamp, and fill documents in your browser.
Supported Features
- Adds text, images, shapes, and icons to any position with adjustable opacity and colors.
- Lock elements in place with one-click object locking to avoid accidental dragging or edits.
- Allows independent page editing — modifications on one page do not disturb others.
- Supports rotated and scanned pages by aligning overlays with the page rotation flag.
Known Limitations
- Cannot reflow or delete original text — cover unwanted items with a rectangle first.
- Added annotations become flattened image content, making new text non-selectable in the output.
- Generated files cannot be re-opened for object-by-object editing once downloaded.
Four steps from PDF upload to download
Add, customize, lock elements in place, and generate your file.
Upload your PDF
Select your file or drag it directly into the upload area to launch the editor preview.
Add, format & lock
Use the toolbar to drop elements, adjust styling, and lock them in position:
Navigate pages
Use the previous and next buttons to apply annotations across multiple pages seamlessly.
Generate & save
Click Generate PDF to bake your changes into the output document.
When to use this PDF editor
Choose the right workflow for your document needs.
| Use case | Details | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Annotating documents | Adding feedback notes, highlight boxes, or callout arrows. | Supported |
| Adding logos or stamps | Placing and locking image badges or stamps on official pages. | Supported |
| Masking & correcting errors | Covering obsolete figures with rectangles and writing new values. | Supported |
| Reflowing paragraph text | Editing original typography directly within existing text runs. | Use word processor |
| Interactive PDF forms | Creating fillable AcroForm text fields or checkboxes. | Use Form Builder |
| Screen-reader documents | Files that require live tagged text for accessibility compliance. | Use PDF Editor Pro |
How page rotation is handled
How the editor ensures added elements land in the right position on rotated pages.
Page dimensions vs. rotation flags
Scanned or camera-generated PDFs often store pages unrotated with an internal 90°, 180°, or 270° flag instructing viewers how to orient the page.
Coordinate system transformation
The editor aligns the visual canvas with the displayed viewport, translating coordinates back into the PDF's internal space during generation.
Output verification
Overlay images apply the appropriate rotation and displacement so your final output reflects what you placed on screen.
Troubleshooting common issues
Quick solutions to common editing situations.
Cannot move or resize an element
The element was locked to protect its position.
Click the element to select it, then click "Unlock element" in the sidebar.
Original PDF content is covered
A shape or image was placed with an opaque background directly over it.
Select the shape and lower its opacity slider or resize it.
Added text is not selectable after download
Added elements are flattened into an image layer during generation.
This is expected. Proofread text in the editor before generating.
Password-protected PDF will not load
Encrypted PDFs cannot be rendered directly in the browser.
Unlock the PDF first with an unlock tool, then upload the file.
Cannot move an element
Cause: Element is locked.
Resolution: Select it and click "Unlock element".
Original content covered
Cause: Opaque shape on top.
Resolution: Lower the shape's opacity or reposition it.
Text not selectable
Cause: Output is flattened into an image layer.
Resolution: Proofread all text before downloading.
Best practices for clean results
Tips to help you edit documents efficiently.
Lock finalized elements
Lock badges, masked areas, and headers once positioned so you don't nudge them while placing text.
Review all pages
Cycle through your document using the navigation buttons to confirm all changes.
Retain a backup of your original
Keep your original source PDF intact in case you need to re-apply adjustments later.
Use precise X & Y controls
Use the numeric coordinate inputs in the properties sidebar for pixel-level alignment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about editing PDFs online.
Can I edit the existing text in the PDF?
No. This tool adds new annotations on top of the document. To correct text, mask the area with an opaque rectangle and place a new text element on top.
How does locking an element help?
Locking an element disables its movement, resizing, and rotation handles, and prevents accidental deletion while you work on other parts of the document. You can unlock it anytime by selecting it and clicking Unlock.
Will the text I add stay selectable and searchable?
No. Added text and shapes are flattened into an overlay image layer upon export. The original document's text remains intact and searchable.
Does this tool support rotated PDF pages?
Yes. The editor reads the PDF's internal rotation flags and aligns your overlays so elements appear in their intended positions in the generated PDF.
Is my document uploaded to an external server?
The editing script runs inside your browser using client-side JavaScript libraries. Files are not sent to an external document server for processing.
Is this editor free?
Yes. There are no subscriptions, limits, or watermarks added to your downloaded PDF files.