How to Add Notes to PDF? Step by Step Guide

Image created by author, © the author assumes responsibility for the provenance and copyright.

Have you ever wanted an easy way to add sticky note-style comments alongside specific parts of a document so you can easily keep track of what’s being said?

Fortunately, adding notes to a PDF document is simpler than it looks and this blog post will provide step-by-step instructions on how to add notes to PDF.

So, let’s get started!

Part 1. How to Add Notes in PDF on Windows/Mac?

The process of adding notes to a PDF document can often feel like navigating through a confusing maze of software options. With so many PDF editor options on the market, it’s difficult to know which program to use. Fortunately, UPDF offers a unique all-in-one solution that stands out among the rest.

Screenshot by author

Here’s why we recommend UPDF to add notes in PDF:

Intuitive Design: UPDF is designed with simplicity in mind, making it easy for even the most novice users to navigate. The user interface is intuitive and straightforward, allowing you to quickly add notes to your PDF document with just a few clicks.

Comprehensive Features: UPDF offers a wide range of features to enhance your PDF editing experience. With UPDF, you can add sticky notes, highlight text, draw shapes, and more. Plus, the software supports a variety of file formats, making it easy to convert from one format to another.

Available on All Major Platforms: UPDF is available on all major platforms, including Windows and Mac. That means you can use UPDF no matter what kind of device you’re using.

So now that you know why we recommend UPDF, let’s look at how to use the software to add notes in PDF.

1. How to Add a Sticky Note to a PDF?

Adding notes to a PDF document can be an incredibly useful way of keeping track of important information. Whether you’re annotating a document for review purposes or simply want to save your thoughts for future reference, adding sticky notes is the perfect solution.

With UPDF, it’s easier than ever to add sticky note comments directly onto any PDF file.

Here’s how to add a sticky note to a PDF:

Step 1: To begin with, the initial step is to import your PDF file into UPDF software by pressing the “Open File” button located on the homepage.

Screenshot by author

Step 2: After opening the file, you can switch to the “Comment” mode by tapping on the “Comment” icon on the left-hand side. This mode allows you to access a range of annotation tools like highlight, underline, strikethrough, shapes, text box, typewriter, and sticky note.

Step 3: To add a note, select the “Sticky Note” icon and click on any area of your PDF document where you want to put the note. Finally, you can enter your comments in the pop-up window.

Screenshot by author

2. How to Add Notes to a PDF Via Text Comment?

Adding notes, comments, and feedback to PDFs can greatly improve collaboration between team members. While sticky notes have been a popular choice for many users, it is worth considering text comments as an alternative.

Text comments offer a more streamlined approach to note-taking and can be easily edited, deleted, or replied to.

With text comments, you can ensure that your feedback is concise, clear, and professional, helping to improve collaboration and communication among your team or colleagues.

Here’s how to add text comments to PDF:

Step 1: To get started, open UPDF software and select your PDF file by clicking the “Open file” button.

Step 2: To insert a text comment, simply select the T icon and click on the desired location where you want to place the comment. Once you’ve clicked on the spot, start typing away.

Screenshot by author

Step 3: You can select the font, size, and color of your text according to your preferences.

3. How to Add Notes to PDF Via Text Box?

The text box is more flexible relative to the fixed text comment feature as they can be moved, resized, and edited on the go. This makes them ideal for marking up documents on the fly, providing feedback on graphical elements, or drawing attention to specific sections of text.

With the ability to adjust the font size, font colors, and background shading, text boxes offer a flexible commenting solution that can adapt to any needs

Here’s how to add notes to PDF via text box:

Step 1: Open your PDF file using UPDF software.

Step 2: Click on the T icon that has a box to add a text box. After selecting the style of the text box, you can place it anywhere you want by clicking on the desired location.

Screenshot by author

Step 3: Once the text box is placed, you can start typing your comment. You can also style the comment according to your preferences by selecting font type, shape, size, and color.

Part 2. How to Add Notes to PDF Online?

Maintaining a seamless workflow in a team or across multiple devices can be overwhelming when you’re dealing with PDF files that require note-taking or editing.

One of the biggest frustrations in such situations is the lack of real-time file access, which can lead to confusion and even version control issues.

Adobe Acrobat online PDF editor offers users a secure and easy way to collaborate on and edit PDFs, with an integrated solution that includes tools for annotation and comment.

With Acrobat, the shared link remains updated with the latest version of the document, ensuring that every team member has access to the same version.

Here’s how it works:

● To add comments click on the Comment Icon on the right-hand side of the PDF window.

● Type your comment in the box and click on “post” or press enter to add a comment.

● After this, you’ll see a comment icon on your PDF file, now you can drag and drop it anywhere on the page.

● For more options, right-click on the comment icon and you’ll see options like draw free-hand.

You can easily collaborate with others by sharing your PDF files via a link.

- To do this, simply click on the copy link icon located on the top right.

- This will generate a unique link you can share with your collaborators.

Part 3. How to Add a Note to a PDF on iPhone/iPad?

It’s crucial to have tools that allow you to get work done on the go. This is where the UPDF app comes in.

As one of the most reliable PDF editing apps available, UPDF has remained ahead of the curve by continuously updating and keeping up with technological advancements. By providing support for iOS 14.0 and later, UPDF has made it easier to add notes to your PDF documents using your iPhone or iPad.

This app is a game-changer for many professionals with tight schedules and students who are constantly on the move.

How to Add Handwritten Notes to PDF Via UPDF?

There are times when adding a personal touch to your PDF file is necessary. The free-hand notes feature may not be directly available but fear not.

With the pencil and eraser feature, you can easily add handwritten notes to your PDF files like a pro. Whether it’s a memo, a proposal or a simple checklist, you can personalize your documents to suit your needs.

Here’s how you can Add Handwritten Notes to PDF:

Step 1. Choose the “Pencil” tool located on the top menu. This will open up a set of personalization options for you, such as selecting the color, opacity, and thickness of the pencil.

Screenshot by author

Step 2. Once you’ve made your selections, you can begin drawing freely using your cursor.

Step 3. If you need to make any corrections or erase any mistakes, simply tap on the “Eraser” tool also located in the top menu. Adjust the thickness of the eraser by using the slider, and choose between a “Whole” or “Partial” eraser depending on your needs. Use your cursor to remove any pencil marks or inscriptions made on the document.

Part 4. How to Add a Note to a PDF on Android?

Android is the world’s most popular operating system, and it’s no surprise that PDFs are among the most popular file formats to read, edit, and share. If you have an Android device, you can easily add notes to a PDF with some simple steps.

Here’s how you can add note to PDF file using UPDF on Android:

Step 1. Open the PDF document you wish to add a note to using UPDF.

Step 2. A range of note options will appear on the screen. Select the type of note that you want to use.

Screenshot by author

OR

Look for the “Sticky Note” icon located on the top bar of the UPDF interface. Click on the “Sticky Note” icon to start.

Step 3. Long-press the selected note option to reveal a color and style selection menu.

Step 4. Once you’ve customized your note, hover your cursor over the area where you want to place the note.

Step 5. Click on the desired location to add the sticky note to your PDF document.

Save your changes and your note will be added to the document!

Conclusion

Notes are a great way to keep your documents organized, especially when you are collaborating with others. UPDF makes it so easy to add notes to PDF files — all you need is an iOS or Android device, or a computer — and you can make the document even more useful than before.

Now that you know how to add notes to PDFs, capitalize on this knowledge to save time and make sure your work stays up-to-date!