Why editing PDF text is usually a pain
A PDF isn't a word-processor document. It stores text as positioned pieces on a page, not as flowing paragraphs, which is why most free viewers only let you add notes on top. Online editors can change the text, but they need you to upload the file first, and the full-featured desktop editors usually come with a monthly subscription. RevinHi PDF does it locally, for a one-time price.
How to edit existing text, step by step
- Open RevinHi PDF and drag your file onto the window, or use Open PDF in the Editor.
- Choose the Edit text tool in the toolbar (shortcut E).
- Click the line you want to change and type. RevinHi matches the original font, size and color so the change blends in with the rest of the page.
- Made a mistake? Ctrl+Z undoes it and Ctrl+Y redoes it. Every edit stays movable until you save.
- Press Ctrl+S to save, or Ctrl+Shift+S to save a copy and keep the original untouched.
If you only need to blank something out or add new words, you don't need text editing at all: the free Whiteout tool covers an area with a white box, and the Text tool adds a new text box anywhere on the page.
What edited text is, and what it isn't
To be upfront about how it works: edited text is drawn over the original. The old words stay in the file underneath, hidden from view. That's perfect for correcting a typo or updating a form letter, but it is not redaction. Someone with the right tools could still pull the original text out of the file, and the same is true of whiteout. Don't use either to hide account numbers, personal details or anything else sensitive.
Results are best on PDFs that were made digitally, such as exports from Word, invoices and statements. A scanned page is a picture of text rather than real text, so there's nothing to retype; for those, cover the area with whiteout and add a new text box instead.
Why offline matters for this
The documents people most often need to correct are the ones they least want to upload: contracts, invoices, tax forms and letters with names and addresses on them. RevinHi PDF runs entirely on your Windows PC. Nothing is sent to a server, there's no account to sign in to, and it works the same with your Wi-Fi turned off.
Free or Pro?
Editing existing text is a Pro feature. The free version still lets you open the file, add text boxes, highlight, draw, use whiteout, sign and fill forms, with a small watermark on exported files. Pro is a one-time $9.99 with no subscription, removes the watermark, and includes every future update.
Related: sign a PDF offline, merge PDF files and compress a PDF, or see the full RevinHi PDF feature list.