Small edits, checked carefully
Use the built-in sample document to learn the tools first. For your own work, keep an untouched original and check the exported copy in another PDF viewer.
Replace a text line
- Open a text-based PDF and choose Edit text.
- Select a horizontal text block and enter the replacement. Press Enter to apply or Esc to cancel.
- Check the background and text colors in Edit settings. A solid background is easier to match than a photo or gradient.
- Export and inspect the edited line at a readable zoom. If the replacement does not fit, shorten it or use a separate annotation.
This is a visual overlay, not full paragraph reflow. Original text can remain in the PDF. Vertical writing, right-to-left text, unusual fonts and complex backgrounds may not reproduce faithfully.
Add notes or a visual signature
Choose Add text for an independent note. Use the handwriting tool, where available in More tools, for a visible handwritten mark. Move annotations by dragging; use the resize handle to adjust their size. A handwritten mark does not add a digital certificate or verify an identity.
Organize and export pages
Open Organize pages to inspect the available page operations. Check the thumbnails and final order after moving or removing pages. Export a PDF copy, reopen it, and verify the page count and any annotations. Do not close the browser before saving the work you need.
Convert Word documents
DOCX import supports basic paragraphs, headings, lists, tables and raster images with simplified layout. It creates rendered page images: text may look correct without being selectable. Complex columns, merged cells, headers or footers may change or be omitted. If the exact Word layout matters, compare every page with the original before using the PDF.
Editable Word export works from text-based PDFs; it does not recognize words in scanned images. Use an appearance-oriented export when preserving page appearance matters more than editable text.
A practice task using the sample PDF
From the editor homepage, choose Try a sample document. The sample has two pages, so you can practice annotations and page order without opening a private file.
- Choose Add text. In the edit panel, enter “Reviewed — please check page 2”.
- Click an empty space on page 1 to place the note. If it overlaps existing text, drag it to a clear area or use Undo.
- Open page 2 and review its contents. Return to page 1 and check that the note remains in the intended position.
- Choose Export PDF and reopen the downloaded copy. Check that it has two pages and that your note is visible.
Expected result: a separate PDF copy containing the note. The sample and any original files remain unchanged. The note may be an image rather than selectable text.
Choose the right tool for your file
| Your task | Start with | Check before sharing |
|---|---|---|
| Add a missing date to a scanned form | Add text, then place it over the empty field | Placement and readability; the form remains a scan without OCR |
| Correct a short line in a text PDF | Edit text and select the line | Font, spacing and background; original text may remain recoverable |
| Reorder a document copy | Organize pages | Final page count and order |
| Convert a basic DOCX to PDF | Open PDF or Word | Page breaks, tables and missing headers or footers |
Troubleshooting
Why can’t I select the words in a scan?
A scanned page is an image. Paperdesk does not include OCR. Add a note over the page, or use an OCR-capable tool before editing recognized text.
Why does text look different after editing?
Text replacement uses an overlay and a replacement font. The original font, spacing and background may not match. Adjust colors and placement, and avoid using overlays for complex layouts.
Why can’t I edit a password-protected PDF?
This version supports password authentication for viewing only. Editing, merging and export of protected PDFs are unsupported. Obtain an authorized unencrypted copy from the document owner.
What should I try if opening or export fails?
Check the 40 MB / 150-page limit and that the file is PDF or DOCX. Try the built-in sample to distinguish a file-specific problem from a browser problem. Save any existing work before reloading. A smaller file or an up-to-date desktop browser may help with limited device memory. If it still fails, contact support with the steps and error message, without attaching private documents.
Can I hide private text with a box?
No. A box or replacement overlay can leave the original content recoverable. Use a dedicated redaction tool and verify that the underlying content has been removed.
Will every exported word be searchable?
No. Added annotations and imported Word pages may be raster images. Searchability depends on the source and the operation; it is not guaranteed across the whole export.
Clean Web to PDF
Open Clean Web to PDF to import a public article URL, paste copied content or choose a saved HTML file. Review the extracted text, click to edit, or turn on Remove blocks to delete unwanted paragraphs and images. Undo restores the last removal. Choose paper size, text size and margins, then select Save as PDF.
The button opens your browser’s print dialog. Choose Save as PDF, select the same A4 or Letter paper size and disable browser headers and footers. The print copy contains the article, not the tool controls or advertising. Text remains selectable; links are retained where supported by your browser. URL imports use the server; pasted content is processed locally. Some websites block fetching or require JavaScript or login. Use Paste content in those cases.