How to Edit Text in the PDF24 Creator

PDF24 does not support directly modifying existing text in a PDF document. You can only add entirely new text, blank out old text, or convert the PDF to an editable format, like a Word document, to make changes. If you’re expecting to click on a sentence and retype it, PDF24 won’t do that.

That said, PDF24 does offer three workarounds for getting around this limitation:

• Add new text: Place a fresh text box on top of your PDF using the annotation tool.

• Convert and edit: Turn your PDF into a Word document, make your changes there, then convert it back to PDF.

• Mask old text: Cover unwanted text with a white or colored shape, so it’s no longer visible.

Each approach works differently, and the right one depends on what you’re trying to fix. The sections below walk through each method step by step.

Adding new text is the closest thing to “editing” that PDF24 offers without converting your file. You’re placing a text box on top of your existing document, which works well for annotations, notes, or filling out missing details.

1. Open the PDF24 Annotate PDF Tool

Go to PDF24 and find the Annotate PDF option. This tool handles most text-adding tasks.

2. Upload Your PDF File

Drag and drop your file into the upload area, or click to browse your folders. 

3. Click “Add Text” and Type Your Content

Once your PDF loads, click the “Add Text” button in the toolbar. A text box appears on the page. Double-click inside it to start typing, then drag the box wherever you want it.

4. Adjust Font, Size, and Color

A small formatting toolbar lets you change the basics: font size, text color, and sometimes font style. Adjust until the new text looks right alongside your existing content.

5. Save and Download Your Edited PDF

When everything looks good, click the “Save PDF” icon in the top-right, then click “Download.” Your updated PDF is ready to share or print.

What if you want to change the original text itself, like fixing a typo or updating a date? Since PDF24 doesn’t have a true text-editing engine, the workaround is to convert your PDF to Word, edit it there, and convert it back.

1. Use the PDF24 PDF to Word Converter

Go to the PDF to Word Converter on the PDF24 website. Upload your PDF, and the tool generates a Word document you can download.

2. Open the Word File and Make Your Edits

Open the converted file in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or LibreOffice. Now you can freely add, delete, or change any text in the document.

3. Convert the Word Document Back to PDF

Once your edits are done, head to the PDF24 Word to PDF Converter. Upload your Word file, and you’ll get a fresh PDF with all your changes.

This round-trip method works, though it’s not always perfect. Complex layouts, unusual fonts, or embedded images sometimes shift during conversion. Always double-check your final PDF before sending it anywhere important.

Sometimes you don’t want to edit text at all. You just want to hide it. Maybe there’s sensitive information, or you’re covering up outdated content. PDF24’s masking feature handles this by placing a shape over the text you want to conceal.

A quick note on terminology: redaction refers to permanently covering sensitive information so it can’t be recovered. PDF24’s approach is visual masking, which hides text on the surface but doesn’t always remove it from the underlying file data.

1. Open the PDF24 Annotate PDF Tool

Start in the same Annotate PDF tool you used to add text.

2. Select “Add Shape” and Choose a Rectangle

Click “Add Shape” in the toolbar, then pick a rectangle. This becomes your cover-up tool.

3. Position the Shape Over the Text You Want to Hide

Drag the rectangle over the text. Set the fill color to white if you want it to blend in, or black for a classic redaction look.

4. Save and Download the Updated File

Click the “Save PDF” icon in the top-right, then click “Download” to finalize. Keep in mind that the original text may still exist in the file’s data layer. This method hides text visually but doesn’t guarantee true redaction.

Before committing to PDF24 for editing tasks, it helps to know exactly where the tool falls short.

If any of the limitations above affect your workflow, you might find yourself looking for an alternative.

When PDF24’s workarounds start feeling like too much effort, Smallpdf's PDF editor offers another option. You can edit text directly, add text, annotate, and work with your documents directly in your browser: no conversions, no downloads, no back-and-forth.

Here’s what makes it different:

• Browser-based: No software to install, no desktop app required.

• Drag-and-drop upload: Just drop your file and start editing.

• All-in-one editing: Edit text directly, add text boxes, highlight sections, and annotate in one place.