PDF, or Portable Document Format, is a document format that allows users to compile text in a book format. PDF often includes a page counter, scroll options, a highlighting feature, and a "jump to page" option that allows users to simply type in the number of a particular page and go to it. PDF is the standard for ebooks, manuals, and tutorials and can even be used for cartoons. The problem with PDF files is that users often have trouble editing the document. This article will explain how to create and edit PDF files and list a number of programs that make PDF editing easy.
Editing PDF
PDF files are created and edited with Adobe Acrobat. Unfortunately, users cannot edit PDF files that have already been made unless the user creates a new PDF document and copies the contents over to the new file. This can be easily achieved by going to the Edit tab on the PDF document that the user wishes to edit and clicking on the "Copy File to Clipboard" feature. This option will save the entire file to the Windows Clipboard. The user can then click on the button that says "Click to create PDF Using Acrobat.com" to access Acrobat AIR. This program will allow the user to create his/her own PDF document. The user can then paste the contents of the previous document into this new file and edit it however he/she wishes.
PDF Create 6.0
PDF Create 6.0 is a program that allows the user to create PDF documents from other file formats. For example, the user can create a PDF document from a Word, Excel, Notepad, or HTML document or even bits and pieces from each document. PDF Create 6.0 allows the user to add images, special effects, highlighting and more to any PDF document that he/she creates. The software sells for $27.99 from Nuance.
PDFedit
PDFedit is a free program available at SourceForge that allows users to effortlessly edit PDF documents within the window. With PDFedit, users simply open the PDF document of their choice from within the PDFedit window and he/she will have full control of the PDF document. Users can edit text, extract images, add content, and even change the title of the document all by using quick and easy buttons and tools.
PDF Studio
PDF Studio is an powerful alternative to Adobe Acrobat. The software provides users with everything they need to edit and create their own PDF documents as well as additional tools that Adobe Acrobat does not. PDF Studio allows users to split and merge documents, add bookmarks and watermarks to PDF documents, add headers and footers to PDF documents, add passwords to PDF documents and set security levels, and much more. The software also integrates well with Google Apps, SharePoint, and Acrobat.com itself. PDF Studio sells for $60 but is available on a free trial basis from qoppa.com.
Skim
Skim is a free, open source project software that is available for Mac OS X. The software is able to read PDF documents and allows users to take notes. Skim is able to do everything that Adobe Acrobat can including reading PDF documents, adding and editing notes, highlighting text, making snapshots, and navigating pages using table of contents. The software can also export notes as text, magnify text and images, display PDF documents in full screen, make and display presentations, implement passwords, create bookmarks, and much more. Skim supports Apple Remote Control, automatically downloads remote PDF documents, and can be completely customized by the user. The software can be found and downloaded for free at http://skim-app.sourceforge.net/ .
