PDF guides and how-tos
Plain walkthroughs for the document jobs people actually get stuck on — written against the tools on this site, so every step is one you can follow right now.
Why can’t I edit text in my PDF?
If clicking the words does nothing, the page may be a scan, vector artwork, a form, or a protected document. Here is how to tell.
How to edit PDF text without changing the font
A changed date or price should not look pasted in. Learn how PDF fonts work and how to check that an edit matches the surrounding text.
How to edit a PDF without Adobe Acrobat
You do not always need desktop software to correct a PDF. First identify whether you need to change text, add something, or work with a scan.
How to separate pages from a PDF
Separate PDF pages" means two different things depending on what you actually want out the other end. Here's how to tell which one you need.
How to remove pages from a PDF
Type the pages you don't want, and everything else is kept byte for byte. Here's how, plus the fastest way to drop every blank page from a scan.
How to edit text in a PDF online
Most free editors paste a white box over the old words. Here is how to change the actual text, and how to tell the difference.