PDF guides
Practical answers to everyday PDF questions, written to help you get it right the first time.
- Are online PDF tools safe? What happens to your filesMost PDF websites upload your documents to their servers. Learn the risks, what to look for, and how to edit PDFs without uploading them.
- How to compress a PDF without losing qualityWhy PDFs get large, which compression level to choose, and how to shrink a PDF for email in seconds, without uploading it.
- How to redact a PDF (and why black boxes often fail)Drawing a black rectangle over text does not remove it. Learn how real redaction works and how to permanently remove sensitive information from a PDF.
- How to merge PDF files into one, in the right orderCombine several PDFs into a single file in seconds, put them in the right order and keep form fields working, all without uploading anything.
- How to convert a PDF to an editable Word documentTurn a PDF into a Word file you can edit, keeping the layout or getting flowing text. Learn which option to choose and what to do with scanned PDFs.
- How to sign a PDF online without printing itDraw, type or upload your signature and place it on a PDF in a minute. Learn the difference between an electronic and a digital signature.
- How to split a PDF into separate filesSplit a PDF by page ranges, into single pages, every few pages, at each bookmark or by file size. Pick the right method for your document.
- How to edit a PDF: add text, images, shapes and signaturesAdd text, pictures, highlights, shapes and signatures to a PDF, fill in forms and rearrange pages, all in your browser and free.
- How to make a scanned PDF searchable with OCRScanned PDFs are pictures, so you cannot search or copy their text. OCR recognises the words so you can search, select and copy them.
- How to password-protect a PDFLock a PDF with a password and AES-256 encryption, and choose whether it can be printed or copied. Tips for choosing and sharing the password.
- How to convert a Word document to PDFTurn a Word (.docx) file into a PDF that looks the same on every device, with fonts, tables, pictures, headers and page numbers kept.