PDFs: We all use them. They’re great for sharing documents, but let’s face it, copying, cutting, and pasting text from them can sometimes feel like pulling teeth. Unlike a regular Word document, PDFs are designed to be more static, which means directly editing the text isn’t always straightforward.
But don’t despair! Just because PDFs aren’t inherently designed for heavy editing doesn’t mean you’re stuck. This article will walk you through four simple tricks to easily copy, cut, and paste text from PDFs. Just keep in mind: if your PDF is a scanned image or the creator has locked editing, these methods might not work.
1. Using a PDF Reader to Select, Copy, and Paste Text
Good news! Many free PDF readers let you copy and paste text without a hassle.
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Adobe Acrobat Reader: This is the big name in PDF readers. Simply open your PDF, select the text you want, right-click, and choose “Copy.” Then, paste it wherever you need it! While Adobe Acrobat Reader is a good option for copying text, it is not suitable for cutting and pasting text within a PDF.
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Foxit Reader: Another solid option. Foxit Reader does not natively support cutting and pasting text, and it is also primarily useful for copying text.
There are many other capable PDF readers, too, like Sumatra PDF (known for being lightweight) and even Google Drive, that will allow you to easily copy text from a PDF.
2. PDF Editing Software: Unleash Your Copying, Cutting, and Pasting Power!
While PDF readers are great for quickly copying text, they often fall short when it comes to more complex edits. You probably won’t be able to change fonts or drastically alter existing text blocks with them.
This is where dedicated PDF editing software comes in.
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Adobe Acrobat Pro: This is the powerhouse option. Open your PDF, select “Edit,” and then “Edit Text and Images.” Now you’ll have much more control to copy, cut, and paste text, and even change formatting.
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Soda PDF: This software allows you to select, and then from the “Edit” menu, choose to cut, copy, and paste. The benefit of Soda PDF is that it helps maintain the original font and text style, for the most seamless possible integration of your changes.
Many other PDF editing programs available can do similar things.
3. Editing PDFs Directly in Your Browser: Quick and Convenient Copying, Cutting, and Pasting
Sometimes you need to make a quick change and don’t want to download any software. In those cases, editing a PDF directly in your browser is a great option. These tools tend to be less powerful than dedicated software, but they’re perfect for simple tasks.
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Sejda: Just upload your PDF to the website, select the text you want to cut, copy, or paste, make your changes, and click “Apply Changes.”
There are plenty of online PDF editors like Sejda. Just be careful! Remember you’re uploading your document to a third-party website, so consider the sensitivity of the information before you do so.
4. Converting Your PDF to a Word Document (and Back Again)
Okay, this might seem a bit roundabout, but sometimes it’s the easiest way to get full control over your text for copying, cutting, and pasting. You convert the PDF to a Word document, make your edits, and then convert it back to PDF.
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PDF Wiz: This free program can convert PDFs to .doc, .docx, or .txt formats. The downside is that the free version only converts one page.
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Google Docs: A great alternative! Upload your PDF to Google Drive, open it with Google Docs, edit away, and then save it back as a PDF.
Frequently Asked Questions About Copying, Cutting, and Pasting Text in PDFs
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Why can’t I copy and paste from a PDF? The PDF is likely write-protected. You might find online tools that can help bypass this, but no guarantees.
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Can I edit a PDF with Word? Yes, if the PDF isn’t too complex and isn’t secured. Word isn’t specifically designed for PDFs, though.
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Can I remove a watermark from a PDF? Some PDF editing software, like Adobe Acrobat, has this feature. However, if the PDF is secured, it might be difficult.
Hopefully, these tips have made copying, cutting, and pasting text from PDFs a whole lot easier!
