Adding Underlines to Text in PDF Documents

Have you ever wanted to underline something important in a PDF but weren’t sure how? Maybe you’re marking up a study guide, emphasizing key points in a work document, or adding flair to a collaborative project. Underlining PDF text is a simple yet effective way to draw attention to sections. And it’s surprisingly easy, with Smallpdf making underlining text in a PDF a breeze.

How to Underline Text in a PDF Document Online

Here’s how to underline text in your PDF document:

1. Upload your PDF to the PDF Annotator tool.
2. Click on the “Highlight” icon in the top toolbar and select “Underline.”
3. Adjust the line color and opacity if you want, then click and drag over the text you want underlined—as easy as that!
4. Repeat with all the text you want to underline.
5. Once you’re happy with the edits, hit the “Finish” button, then download your updated PDF.
6. And that’s it—you’re all set!

Some PDFs might not let you underline directly because of how they’re set up. If that happens, the shapes tool in PDF Annotator is your best friend. Just draw a neat line under the text you want to underline, and it’ll look just as good.

Tips for Better Underlining in PDFs

Underlining is great, but like anything, it’s best in moderation. Use it to emphasize critical points without turning your PDF into a messy mass of lines. Play around with underline styles—adjust the color to suit the tone of your document. A simple black line might be perfect for professional reports, while bold colors can make study notes pop. The same toolbar that allows you to underline text can also be used to highlight or strikethrough text, or to add a squiggle line underneath selected text.

Other Handy Features in Smallpdf’s Annotation Tool

While we’re on the topic, our annotation tool isn’t just for underlining. The same tool lets you add text boxes, shapes, and other annotations for collaborative work. Its sister Edit PDF tool is also packed with features that make editing PDFs a breeze; like modifying the text by adding or removing words or moving whole paragraphs around. Edit PDF is a Pro tool, but you can try it free with a 7-day trial. Smallpdf also lets you compress, merge, or even convert PDFs to other document formats without needing extra software. It’s all about making your life simpler.

FAQ Section

How do I underline text in a PDF?

Using Smallpdf, upload your file to the PDF Annotator tool, select the underline feature or draw lines manually, and save your changes. If you’re working with scanned documents or images, try running them through our PDF Converter first to see if you can extract the text. If not, you can still create underlines by adding shapes for a clean, professional look.

How to underline in PDF on mobile?

Smallpdf’s mobile app—for Android or iOS—offers the same tools as our website. Follow the same steps as outlined above and edit on the go. The app is perfect for quick adjustments and works seamlessly across devices, so you can underline text wherever you are.

Why can’t I underline in PDF?

Some PDFs are locked or saved as images, meaning you can’t edit the text directly. Smallpdf helps by offering tools to unlock PDFs and convert them, using OCR technology to turn scanned text into editable text. You can also use shape tools in the PDF Annotator to work around this.

How do I enable highlighting text in PDF?

If highlighting isn’t working, ensure your PDF isn’t an image file. Smallpdf can convert scanned PDFs into editable ones. Once converted, highlighting and underlining PDF text become available, giving you full control over how you mark up your text.

How do I edit text in a PDF?

Use the Edit PDF tool to adjust text, add new content, or modify existing sections quickly. Beyond just text edits, you can reposition elements, change fonts, or even add new design elements to customize your document to your needs.

Underlining text in a PDF document doesn’t have to be complicated. With Smallpdf’s tools, it’s as easy as uploading your file, making a few edits, and saving the final product. Why not give it a try on your next project? You’ll wonder how you ever managed without it!