7 Ways to Add Text Box to PDF with/Without Adobe Acrobat

A text box is referred to a text field, a text entry box or an input box, which is often used to supplement text in PDF documents. Users often need to fill in new content by adding text boxes in various documents, especially in forms.

For those who are strangers about how to add text box to PDF, we will show many workable ways of using or not using Adobe Acrobat step-by-step in this article. These methods include using Cisdem PDFMaster, Google Chrome, Google Docs, DocFly, Preview, Adobe Pro and Adobe Reader.

 Cisdem PDFMaster

Add Text Box to PDF? Pick the Best Editor!

• Add text box to supplement contents easily.
• Create forms fillable by adding text fields.
• Add text fields, checkbox fields, radio button fields, listbox fields, combo box fields and OK buttons to PDF in a breeze.
• Fill out your text box anywhere and anytime.
• 50+ PDF tools to fill form, create form, sign PDF, edit text, convert/create PDF, reduce file size, encrypt/decrypt PDF, etc.

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How to Add Text Box to PDF Without Adobe Acrobat?

If you haven’t downloaded Adobe Acrobat on your computer or feel that it is not fitting your needs, you should take a look at the simple methods we recommend below. We ensure that you can find a satisfactory solution and add a text box to the PDF standing on your head. 

Add Text Box to PDF with the Best PDF Editor You Cannot Ignore

If you have to do a lot more than annotating on a PDF file, then you cannot ignore a more advanced PDF editor like Cisdem PDFMaster. The key features of this desktop software include editing or adding text to PDF, converting PDF to other format, OCR technology, manipulating pages and adding e-signature.

How to add a text box to PDF with Cisdem PDFMaster?

1. Download and install Cisdem PDFMaster with Windows or Mac version.
   Free Download   Free Download
2. Launch the program and upload your PDF by clicking Open Files.
3. Go to Form > Text Field. Move and click your mouse to create a new box on the page arbitrarily. 
4. You can drag the corner of the text box to resize it. Also, change its color and customize the font you will type in the text box.

Cisdem PDFMaster also provides you with the following key features:

• Replace text in PDF freely: Cisdem PDFMaster supports you to edit and replace any text in the PDF, you only need to find the editing tool, double-click the text to modify it freely.
• OCR technology: Not only does Cisdem allow you to edit the original PDF file directly, it also lets you edit the scanned PDF file with advanced OCR features. Let you avoid downloading multiple software for complicated operations.
• Add annotations: In addition to changing the font, color, and size of the text, you can also add underline, comments or notes to specific texts and highlight them.
• E-signature: If you want to sign an PDF document, Cisdem can let you reach a satisfactory business cooperation under the premise of safety. You can also add tick, cross, rubber stamp or date on your forms. 

Also, you can watch the tutorial video to add text box to PDF now.

Insert Text Box to a PDF with Online Editors for Free

Some users have been in a wait-and-see state due to consideration of security and a series of restrictions on the use of PDF online websites. However, some users may prefer free online editors to offline software if they don’t want to pay for the subscription fee or don’t have enough storage to download various desktop software on a computer. We post two online text processors to insert a text box for those who are interested. 

#1 Google Chrome

Actually, Google Chrome developed Google Workspace Marketplace (Google Apps Marketplace) in 2010, an online store with business applications for collaboration and communication. In this part, we’d like to use a free online PDF editor in Google Apps to add a text box in PDF - DocHub. It mainly focuses on editing, signing, organizing, and creating templates and PDF forms, which also works on mobile platforms.

Steps to Add Text Box to PDF in Google Chrome.

1. Search and install DocHub in Google Workspace Marketplace.
2. Then open DocHub in Google Apps.
3. Upload your PDF to this online tool (up to 31 MB document).
4. Head to Manage Fields in the toolbar, then choose Text Field.
5. Then you can create text boxes in your PDF. Also, it’s easy to manage the field name, style, color and other properties on the right pane.

#2 Google Docs

Different from the way other software adds text boxes, Google Docs has an excellent drawing tool to insert text boxes, shapes, images, arrows and lines, you can even use them to create a flow chart. Other than these, it is equipped with a variety of tools to handle PDF issues, such as adding watermark, adding annotations and editing PDF for free.

Below is the easiest tutorial to insert text box to a PDF with Google Docs:

1. Go to Google Docs and log into your Google Account.
2. Click the “Open file picker” icon and upload your file from the computer or Drive.
3. Click “Open with” on the top and choose “Google Docs” from the drop-down bar.
4. Go to Insert > Drawing > New, a drawing area will appear on the interface.
5. Click the “Text box” icon, drag and release your mouse to adjust the size of your text box.
   Enter text and customize the added text box by choosing the versatile editing tools.
6. Click “Save and Close” when you finish, then your text box will be inserted in your PDF file.

Useful Tips:

Another way to add text box in Google Docs is via Insert > Table to add a single cell table with 1 × 1. However, once the cell is inserted into the file, it cannot be moved.

#3 DocFly

If all you need is a quick and time-saving tool without downloading and paying, you will be satisfied with DocFly. DocFly is a multi-platform tool, which is compatible with Mac, Windows, iPhone, Andriod and free online. Here we will introduce the browser-based solution to add text box to PDF for you.

How to Add Text Box to PDF Online for Free?

1. Upload a PDF from your computer, Dropbox or Google Drive.
2. Open the drop-down menu on the right of the file and select “Edit”. This step will launch the editing tool. 
3. Click the “Text Field” button and drag anywhere with the cursor to add a new text box.
4. Then enter text in the new text field and change the text style as you like.
5. Click “Save” to download your free PDF file.

Limits of DocFly:

• Limited choice of text fonts
• The free version only supports three free downloads per month

For Mac Users: Add Text Field to PDF in Mac Preview

Thanks to Preview, it is cost-saving and useful for Mac users to add text field to PDF. Although Preview is not a professional PDF editor, it covers many basic markup tools that enable users to complete simple tasks on PDF files. There are versatile editing tools you can find in Tools > Annotate. Let’s look at how to add text box to PDF in Mac Preview.

Method 1:

1. Open a PDF with Preview.
2. Go to Tools > Annotate > Text, then type your text on the box and drag the text box where you want.
3. Adjust the color, font, size and alignment of the text, or add background color by selecting the tools in the toolbar.
4. Go to File > Save if you’re done.

Method 2:

1. Click the “Show Markup Toolbar” on the top.
2. Click the “Text Tool” button, a text box will display on the interface.

Method 3:

Press the shortcut “Control + Command +T” on the keyboard to add a text field.

Things you need to pay attention to:

The added text box will appear in the middle of the page, you need to adjust its position manually. Furthermore, you can’t create a vertical text to PDF or change the orientation of the text box in Preview. 

How to Add Text Box to PDF in Adobe Acrobat?

Adobe Acrobat is an almighty and dedicated brand. Whether you want to view, edit, print, sign or share PDF with others, you can find practical tools you want in Adobe. If you have installed Adobe Acrobat Pro or Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer, follow the straightforward tutorial to add your desired text box to your PDF right now.

#1 Add text box to PDF in Adobe Acrobat Pro DC

1. Start Adobe Acrobat Pro DC and open a PDF.
2. Head to Tools > Prepare Form, then a new window will be displayed on the program.
3. Click “Add a text filed” in the toolbar and drag the mouse where you want to place the text box.
4. When a text box appears on the interface, you can enter any text in it.

#2 Add Text Box to PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader DC

1. Run Adobe Acrobat Reader DC on your PC and open a PDF with it.
2. Then choose the Comment too on the right pane.
3. Choose “Add text box” in the toolbar and drag a text box in your PDF. Then a floating panel with text and text box settings will appear on the interface.
4. When you finish settings, click Close and Save your adjusted PDF.

Summary

How to add text box to PDF is not a problem, especially with the right text processors. Among the online editors presented in this article, we prefer DocHub. If you regularly tackle PDF issues, professional PDF software is essential and beneficial. It is worth trying Cisdem PDFMaster if you haven’t downloaded an all-round desktop PDF program. It is cost-effective and time-saving, allowing you to solve any PDF problems in a breeze.