PDF guide

How to edit PDF text online for free

Correct a typo, update a date or add a note without starting the document again. Folio lets you edit a PDF in your browser and download a normal PDF when you finish.

Change words already in a PDF

1. Open Folio and choose your PDF. Your document is processed in the browser.
2. Select Edit text, then click the line you want to change. A text dialog opens.
3. Make your correction. Leave Match original selected to use the original font where possible, or choose another font, size and colour.
4. Click Save text. Check the result on the page. If a longer sentence overlaps nearby content, shorten it or reduce the font size.
5. Choose Download and save your edited PDF. A Save link remains available if the automatic download does not start.

Add text and move it into place

Choose Add text, then click the page or drag to choose a box width. Enter your text, select a font and click Add text. Folio switches to Select automatically. Drag the new box to move it, or click it to edit the wording and appearance. Use the arrow keys on a focused box for precise positioning; hold Shift to move in larger steps.

For example, to add a reference number above a form, place a small box in the blank margin and drag it beside the relevant field. Added boxes stay inside the page. Undo and redo let you compare positions.

Why can’t I select some text?

A scanned PDF can contain a picture of words rather than editable text. Folio’s English text-recognition tool adds a searchable text layer, but it does not remove the original words from the scanned image. For a visible correction, use a clearly placed text box, or edit the original source document if you have it.

Keep your work editable

Leave “Fix annotations and form values in place” unchecked when downloading if you want to reopen and move added text boxes later. Save before closing or refreshing the editor: document edits are kept in the current tab, not in an online account.