Live PDF Editor
Add text, shapes, highlights, drawings and images to a PDF with a live in-browser preview
100% free. Runs entirely in your browser - your files and data never leave your device and nothing is uploaded to any server.
Drop a PDF here or click to upload
PDF · max 50 MB
About this tool
The Live PDF Editor lets you add text, shapes, highlights, freehand drawings, and images directly onto a PDF with a real-time preview as you work - runs entirely in your browser, so nothing is uploaded to a server while you edit. It's suited for marking up a document, filling in a form that isn't fillable, annotating a report for review, or making small edits without needing full desktop PDF software.
How to use this tool
- Upload PDF to editOpen file and load pages into the live editing canvas.
- Choose annotation/edit toolAdd text, highlights, shapes, drawings, or images where needed.
- Position and style changesAdjust placement, color, and sizing while previewing in real time.
- Download edited PDFExport final document with your markup and overlays applied.
What you can do in the PDF editor
Add new text anywhere on a page, highlight passages, draw boxes, sketch freehand notes and place images such as a logo or a signature. Every change shows instantly, and the finished PDF downloads with your additions on the pages.
The editor adds content on top of the page; it does not rewrite the text already in the PDF.
Key features
- Fast in-browser PDF annotation without desktop software.
- Supports practical markup tools used in review workflows.
- Good for non-fillable form completion and document notes.
- Keeps editing local for better privacy control.
Common uses
- Annotating contracts and reports during review cycles.
- Adding corrections to non-editable exported PDFs.
- Highlighting training materials and SOP updates.
- Placing signatures/images/stamps in simple approval workflows.
Tips for better results
- Zoom in before placing text on dense document areas.
- Use consistent annotation color scheme for team clarity.
- Save versioned copies after major edit rounds.
- Flatten/check output before sending to external recipients.
Mistakes to avoid
- Expecting direct rewrite of embedded source text layers.
- Closing tab before exporting final edited file.
- Adding annotations without checking print-safe placement.
- Mixing too many styles and making review copy hard to read.
Frequently asked questions
No - this editor runs entirely in your browser. Your file is opened and edited locally on your device and is never sent anywhere unless you choose to download/save the result yourself.
Text boxes, shapes, highlights, freehand drawings, and images can all be placed anywhere on any page, with a live preview showing exactly how the final PDF will look.
This tool is built for annotating and adding new content on top of the page rather than directly rewriting existing embedded text - use it to add corrections, notes, or cover existing text with a highlight/shape as needed.
Since everything runs in your browser, be sure to download/export your edited PDF when you're done - closing the tab without saving will lose unsaved changes, the same as any local editing tool.
Add text boxes over the blank lines, adjust the font size to match the form, and add your signature as an image or drawing. Zoom in to line text up neatly with the printed boxes.
Sign on white paper, take a photo, crop it tightly and add it as an image, or draw it with the freehand tool. A PNG with a transparent background looks the most natural on the page.
For many everyday agreements an electronic signature is accepted, but some documents need a qualified or witnessed signature. Check the requirements for important contracts, property or official forms.