How to Edit a PDF on Mac: 3 Simple Methods (Free & Paid)
How to Edit a PDF on Mac: 3 Simple Methods (Free & Paid)
Editing PDFs on a Mac can feel daunting, but macOS offers built-in tools and third-party apps to streamline the process.
Whether you need to annotate, add text, or reorganize pages, this guide covers how to edit a PDF on Mac using three proven methods. Let’s dive in!
Method 1: Edit with Preview (Free & Built-In)
All Macs include Preview, a powerful PDF editor. Here’s how to use it:
Open the PDF: Right-click the file → Open With → Preview.
Edit text/images: Click the Markup Toolbar (pencil icon).
Add text: Select the T icon → click anywhere.
Draw/shape: Use annotation tools.
Signatures: Create via Trackpad or camera.
Rearrange pages: Thumbnail view (sidebar) → drag pages to reorder.
Save: File → Export as PDF.
Best for: Quick annotations, forms, or signatures.
Method 2: Adobe Acrobat Pro (Advanced Editing)
For complex edits (e.g., paragraph rewrites, image extraction), Adobe Acrobat Pro excels:
Install Acrobat Pro (subscription required).
Open your PDF → click Edit PDF in the right toolbar.
Edit text blocks, images, or links directly.
Use Organize Pages to merge/split PDFs.
Note: Overkill for basic tasks but ideal for professional use.
Method 3: Convert PDF to Word (Flexible Editing)
If native tools feel limited, convert your PDF to Word for full flexibility:
Visit TheMultiTools PDF to Word Converter.
Upload your PDF → convert in seconds.
Edit effortlessly in Microsoft Word (font changes, layouts, images).
Re-save as PDF (File → Export).
✅ Why convert?
Edit complex layouts like resumes or contracts.
Avoid subscription fees (unlike Acrobat).
Preserve formatting with high accuracy.
FAQ: Editing PDFs on Mac
Q: Can I edit text in a scanned PDF?
A: Yes! Use Preview’s Text Recognition (Tools → Text Recognition) or convert to Word first.
Q: Are free alternatives safe?
A: Stick to trusted tools like Preview or TheMultiTools to avoid malware.
Conclusion
Learning how to edit a PDF on Mac unlocks productivity—whether using Preview for quick markups, Acrobat for pro edits, or converting to Word for full control.
For hassle-free conversions, try our PDF-to-Word tool to edit, reformat, and export flawless documents!
Pro Tip: Bookmark this guide for your next PDF project! 🔖