PDF, or the Portable Document Format is one of the most popular format for document sharing. Its popularity is mainly because PDF files are multi-platform (can be run on most devices without any change in formatting), smaller in size, can be opened on most devices with free software and are difficult to edit as they are "read only".
Despite PDF files being "read only" by default, there are certain tools and software you can use to change the contents of a PDF file for free without resorting to paid software like Adobe Acrobat.
This basically involves converting PDF files into another format and then editing the converted PDF file. After editing, you can use a PDF writer to reconvert the edited file back to PDF.
If your PDF file can be suitably edited as a Word document, you can use a PDF to Word converter for instant conversion. Edit the converted file and then, you can use any free PDF writer to recreate a PDF file. If you have Open Office, you can use its export as PDF feature to create a PDF file from almost any printable document.
Multivalent Browser:
Multivalent browser offers minimal PDF editing in the form of allowing to add annotations. It also contains several command line tools which allow for merging and compressing PDF files.
Xodo PDF Reader & Editor:
Xodo PDF Reader & Editor is a free application that you can download on your Android based mobiles and tablets to have basic PDF editing features like writing on, underlining text on and annotating PDF files and forms. Xodo PDF Reader & Editor has a Windows version with similar features that you can install on your PC as well.
The freeware tools mentioned above will be useful for most users with basic PDF editing requirements. However, if you have advanced PDF editing needs, the above tools will not be that useful. There are some advanced PDF editing tools available that are as good as most paid products.
Open Office Draw:
The open source alternative to Microsoft Office can also be used as an alternative to Adobe Acrobat. All you need is the PDF Import extension (older version here). Then you can use Open Office Draw to easily and quickly edit PDF files. With Open Office Draw's inline editing features, you can edit any PDF document as easily as you can edit a Word document. It also supports adding and replacing images, changing font size and color, replacing default font-family, adding annotations, charts, shapes, tables all through an easy to use interface.
To load the PDF Import extension in Open Office, open Extension Manager from the Tools Menu, click on Add and then select the location of the downloaded extension. For those of you who want a PDF Editor without any initial setup, LibreOffice, an Office suite descended from Open Office, has this extension included by default. If you don't mind the download size, Open Office Draw is simply the best free PDF editor available.
Inkscape:
Inkscape is a vector graphics editor that allows you import and export PDF files. You can use Inkscape to select text, image or any other object on a PDF file and then change its position or even delete it. It also lets you do free hand drawing on PDF files and add annotations. While Inkscape offers some really good features, its complex interface makes it difficult for users to use it. Moreover, it only allows you to edit only a single page at a time. You can, however, convert these to a single PDF file using a PDF combiner.
PDFTools:
PDFTools is a PDF management application that supports encrypting, decrypting (removing password), joining and splitting PDF files. Its Stamp feature can be used to add text and images over a PDF file. You can stamp to the location of your choice using the X and Y co-ordinates. It includes a PDF creator which can be used to create a PDF file from any XML document. It also supports re-arranging pages in a PDF file.
PDFEscape:
If you are looking for PDF editing on the go (changing bits of text to hide your personal information or simply filling a form), you can try PDFEscape to edit PDF files right in your browser. Free version of PDFEscape Online only allows editing of files upto 10 MB and having less than 100 pages. For such files, it allows you to modify text, images and add annotations with the help of custom shapes and arrows. One of PDF Escape's great feature is its ability to password protect PDF files. It also allows you to hide text with its white out tool (this is different from deleting it). It even lets you edit password protected PDF files and add hyperlinks to web addresses. To use PDFEscape, all you need is a JavaScript enabled web browser.
GIMP:
GIMP or the GNU Image Manipulation Program can also be used as a PDF editor. Just import any PDF file as an image or a layer, then edit it, and then use its export function to get a PDF file. The only downside is that like Inkscape, GIMP also allows you to edit only a single page at a time. You can, however, easily combine these to get a single PDF file using free software like the above mentioned PDFTools.
PDF-XChange Viewer:
The free version of PDF-XChange viewer can be used to directly type text on PDF files. This makes this software a good PDF form filler. Its image stamp feature can be used to insert images directly on any PDF document.
PDFEdit:
PDFEdit is a full fledged PDF editor for Unix-Like operating systems. Its downside is that it does not support editing protected or encrypted PDF files. PDFEdit has a beta version for Windows, but it didn't work for me.
Despite PDF files being "read only" by default, there are certain tools and software you can use to change the contents of a PDF file for free without resorting to paid software like Adobe Acrobat.
Free Tools To Edit PDF files
2 step PDF EditingThis basically involves converting PDF files into another format and then editing the converted PDF file. After editing, you can use a PDF writer to reconvert the edited file back to PDF.
If your PDF file can be suitably edited as a Word document, you can use a PDF to Word converter for instant conversion. Edit the converted file and then, you can use any free PDF writer to recreate a PDF file. If you have Open Office, you can use its export as PDF feature to create a PDF file from almost any printable document.
Multivalent Browser:
Multivalent browser offers minimal PDF editing in the form of allowing to add annotations. It also contains several command line tools which allow for merging and compressing PDF files.
Xodo PDF Reader & Editor:
Xodo PDF Reader & Editor is a free application that you can download on your Android based mobiles and tablets to have basic PDF editing features like writing on, underlining text on and annotating PDF files and forms. Xodo PDF Reader & Editor has a Windows version with similar features that you can install on your PC as well.
Advanced PDF Editors (editing text, images etc.)
Open Office Draw:
To load the PDF Import extension in Open Office, open Extension Manager from the Tools Menu, click on Add and then select the location of the downloaded extension. For those of you who want a PDF Editor without any initial setup, LibreOffice, an Office suite descended from Open Office, has this extension included by default. If you don't mind the download size, Open Office Draw is simply the best free PDF editor available.
Inkscape:
Inkscape is a vector graphics editor that allows you import and export PDF files. You can use Inkscape to select text, image or any other object on a PDF file and then change its position or even delete it. It also lets you do free hand drawing on PDF files and add annotations. While Inkscape offers some really good features, its complex interface makes it difficult for users to use it. Moreover, it only allows you to edit only a single page at a time. You can, however, convert these to a single PDF file using a PDF combiner.
PDFTools:
PDFTools is a PDF management application that supports encrypting, decrypting (removing password), joining and splitting PDF files. Its Stamp feature can be used to add text and images over a PDF file. You can stamp to the location of your choice using the X and Y co-ordinates. It includes a PDF creator which can be used to create a PDF file from any XML document. It also supports re-arranging pages in a PDF file.
PDFEscape:
If you are looking for PDF editing on the go (changing bits of text to hide your personal information or simply filling a form), you can try PDFEscape to edit PDF files right in your browser. Free version of PDFEscape Online only allows editing of files upto 10 MB and having less than 100 pages. For such files, it allows you to modify text, images and add annotations with the help of custom shapes and arrows. One of PDF Escape's great feature is its ability to password protect PDF files. It also allows you to hide text with its white out tool (this is different from deleting it). It even lets you edit password protected PDF files and add hyperlinks to web addresses. To use PDFEscape, all you need is a JavaScript enabled web browser.
GIMP:
GIMP or the GNU Image Manipulation Program can also be used as a PDF editor. Just import any PDF file as an image or a layer, then edit it, and then use its export function to get a PDF file. The only downside is that like Inkscape, GIMP also allows you to edit only a single page at a time. You can, however, easily combine these to get a single PDF file using free software like the above mentioned PDFTools.
PDF-XChange Viewer:
The free version of PDF-XChange viewer can be used to directly type text on PDF files. This makes this software a good PDF form filler. Its image stamp feature can be used to insert images directly on any PDF document.
PDFEdit:
PDFEdit is a full fledged PDF editor for Unix-Like operating systems. Its downside is that it does not support editing protected or encrypted PDF files. PDFEdit has a beta version for Windows, but it didn't work for me.
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