The simplest way to edit a PDF on Mac without extra software

You can edit a PDF directly on Mac using the Preview app that comes built in — no read or subscription needed. Preview lets you add text, draw, highlight, sign, and rearrange pages. For most small changes like adding your initials, correcting a date, or marking up a document, Preview is faster than opening a separate tool.

If you need to change the actual text that was typed into the PDF (not just mark it up), or if you need to add form fields, you'll need a different tool. But for marking, annotating, and basic edits, Preview handles the job without leaving your Mac.

Key Takeaways

  • Preview, which comes free on every Mac, can add text boxes, draw, highlight, and sign PDFs without installing anything.
  • To edit text that was originally typed into the PDF, you need a tool that supports text editing — Preview cannot change the original text.
  • You can rearrange, delete, or rotate pages in Preview by opening the thumbnail sidebar and dragging pages into a new order.
  • If you need to fill form fields or make extensive text changes, a PDF editor like Adobe Acrobat or a free alternative may be necessary.

Opening a PDF in Preview and turning on editing mode

Right-click the PDF file on your Mac and select "Open With" — then choose "Preview" from the list. The PDF opens in the Preview window. At the top of the window, you'll see a toolbar with icons. Look for the toolbox icon (it looks like a wrench and screwdriver) on the right side of the toolbar. Click it to reveal the markup tools.

Once you click the toolbox icon, a new row of editing buttons appears below the main toolbar. These buttons let you add text, draw, highlight, and sign. If you don't see these buttons, make sure you're looking at the toolbar at the very top of the Preview window, not a sidebar.

Adding text and highlighting to your PDF

To add a text box, click the text icon (the letter "A") in the markup toolbar. Your cursor changes to a crosshair. Click and drag on the PDF to create a box where you want text to appear, then type. The text appears in the box you drew. You can click and drag the box to move it, or drag the corners to resize it.

To highlight existing text in the PDF, click the highlighter icon (it looks like a marker) in the markup toolbar. Your cursor changes to a highlighter. Click and drag across the text you want to highlight. The highlight appears in yellow by default. If you want to change the color, right-click the highlighter icon and choose a different color from the menu.

You can also underline or strike through text using the pen tool. Click the pen icon, then look for the underline or strikethrough options in the dropdown menu next to it. Draw across the text you want to mark.

Signing a PDF and adding your initials

Click the signature icon (it looks like a pen writing on a line) in the markup toolbar. A window opens asking you to create a signature. You can draw your signature using your trackpad or mouse, or you can type your name and let Preview convert it to a signature style. Once you've created it, click "Done."

Your signature now appears as a tool in the markup toolbar. Click it to place your signature anywhere on the PDF. You can resize it by dragging the corners of the signature box. If you want to add just your initials instead, create a second signature with only your initials by clicking the signature icon again and selecting "Create Signature" — Preview lets you save multiple signatures.

Rearranging, rotating, and deleting pages

Click the sidebar icon (three horizontal lines) at the top left of the Preview window to show the page thumbnails on the left side. You'll see small images of each page in your PDF. To rearrange pages, click and drag a thumbnail to a new position in the list. To delete a page, right-click its thumbnail and select "Delete" from the menu. To rotate a page, right-click the thumbnail and choose "Rotate Clockwise" or "Rotate Counter-Clockwise."

These changes happen when ready in Preview. When you save the file, the new page order and rotations are saved with it. If you change your mind, you can undo any of these actions by pressing Command-Z on your keyboard.

Saving your changes to the PDF

Once you've finished editing, save the file by pressing Command-S or clicking File in the menu and selecting "Save." Preview saves your changes directly to the original PDF file. If you want to keep the original unchanged and save your edits as a new file, click File and select "Save As" instead. Give the new file a different name, and Preview creates a copy with your edits.

Preview saves PDFs in PDF format by default, so your edited file will open in any PDF reader on any device. There's no conversion step or special export process needed.

When you need a different tool for PDF editing

Preview works well for marking up, signing, and rearranging PDFs. But if you need to change the actual text that was typed into the PDF — for example, correcting a name or date in a form — Preview cannot do that. Changing original text requires a PDF editor that can access the text layer underneath the visual appearance.

You also cannot create new form fields in Preview, or flatten form fields so they can't be edited later. If your PDF has interactive form fields (boxes you can click and type into), Preview can fill them, but it cannot modify the fields themselves. For those tasks, you'll need Adobe Acrobat Pro, or a free alternative like PDFtk or Sejda, depending on what changes you need to make.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit text that's already in the PDF using Preview?

No. Preview can add new text boxes and mark up the document, but it cannot change or delete text that was originally typed into the PDF. If you need to edit existing text, you need a PDF editor like Adobe Acrobat Pro or a free tool designed for text editing.

What if Preview won't open my PDF?

Some PDFs are password-protected or corrupted. Try opening the PDF in a web browser instead — most browsers can display PDFs. If the file opens in a browser, you can sometimes save it as a new file, which may remove the protection. If it won't open anywhere, the file itself may be damaged.

Can I undo changes after I save the PDF?

Once you save in Preview, the changes are written to the file. You cannot undo them unless you saved a backup copy first. If you're unsure about your edits, use "Save As" to create a copy with a different name, so you keep the original untouched.

How do I remove a signature or text I added by mistake?

Click the item you added (the text box or signature), then press Delete on your keyboard. The item disappears. If you've already saved the file, you'll need to open it again and use "Save As" to create a corrected version.

Can I add images or attachments to a PDF in Preview?

Preview cannot insert images or attachments into a PDF. You can only add text boxes, draw, highlight, and sign. For more complex edits like inserting images, you need a full PDF editor.