PDF is one of the most widely used document formats today. Created in 1991 and released a couple of years later by Adobeone of the most important firms in the world of digital formats, this document has become a clear reflection of what innovation can do to change the world.
Previously, activities such as the sale of products, project proposals, to name a few, were carried out by visiting potential clients, showing them a catalog or a physical document, in which the proposal was exposed. However, with the advancement of technologies, and the human need to perform several tasks at the same time, the habit of visiting clients is becoming a thing of the past. being replaced by the sending by email of documents, catalogues, proposals and projectsamong others.
that’s where the PDF format has a leading role, since it can contain various elements that allow to perfectly explain and expose a point in question. For create quality PDF documents it is necessary to know how to manipulate, manage and edit them at will. In this guide you will know everything you need to know about this format, especially what are the best software to edit them easily, quickly and for free.
Uses and types of documents in PDF format
The format has evolved to such an extent that currently there are different types of this, which are designed to support different elements or for different purposes. Having said that, we can identify the following types of PDF:
PDFx
This is the standard format designed for documents that will later be printed on paper. This has a particularity and that is that it eliminates all those surplus elements that cannot or do not need to be printed. Namely, if you insert a 1000 px image, but only 70% of it can be displayedthe excess is removed to make the final file less heavy.
High Quality PDF
This is similar to the previous one, only that does not remove excess elementsIn fact, it does the opposite. If you insert a 600px image cropped to 300px into a document, the original image will be saved in case the recipient wants to enlarge it.
PDFx-1
This is a variation of the first format explained. This is exclusive for paper printsso it only keeps the information necessary for the content to be printed in CMKY colors.
PDFx-3
Another variant of the first on this list. The difference is that it also preserves information in RGB so that it can be perfectly displayed on screens.
PDFx-4
Same as above but has support to support images in PNG format and other files with transparency.
PDF image only
It is a variant that admits only images reproduced in bitmaps.
Electronic forms in PDF
This type of PDF supports the use of electronic forms that can be filled out online, making the document more interactive. Widely used by official websites for sending official documents.
*Previously, a PDF could only be created or edited with an Adobe program. Any of these allowed you to convert your creations into a document of this format, but now things have changed. There is a wide range of programs capable of fulfilling this task perfectly, many of them we can use online and others we will need to download to our devices.
Summary of all recommended PDF editors and programs:
List of Best PDF Editing Software and Apps for Windows and Mac Computers
The best alternatives to edit PDF documents are on Windows and MacOS. On these desktop devices you will be able to find a wide variety of programs that will allow you to make your files in this format much more interesting. The best are undoubtedly the following:
adobe acrobat
As expected, many consider it the best PDF editor since it is developed by the same firm that created the format, allowing you to do everything possible with your documents. In this platform you will be able to add all kinds of elements to make your files more dynamic and visually attractive; you can add hyperlinks, text boxes, electronic forms And a long etcetera.
If what you want is to create an ebook or a presentation, this is the best possible option. The only drawback is that its cost is high, but the power of the software is worth every euro paid.
PDF Element
An alternative to the main editor that perfectly meets what is needed to edit quality PDF. Its main advantage is its value for money, since it allows you to do everything that Acrobat does but with a much lower cost. Its interface is very easy to use, allowing you to create interactive documents without having to be an expert on the subject.
NitroPro
This is a very powerful PFD editor that will allow you to create, merge and edit all kinds of documents in this format. In addition, you can add all the elements you need and configure the file according to the type of PDF you need. It has OCR technology so you can perfectly edit scanned documents. When you download it you can choose between two versions; personal and company. Each one has its own characteristics that adjust to the needs of each user.
Foxid Phantom PDF
An editor with an interface very similar to that of the typical . Here you can do practically everything with your document; from creating, merging and splitting files, to sharing everything you create and converting other formats to PDF. In general, it is one of the most complete options available to the user, with OCR technology to identify scanned documents.
AbleWord
A basic but very useful editor. It’s basically a word processor that allows you to export everything you do to PDF format. supports images, interactive tables, electronic forms and hyperlinks. It’s not very popular, but it’s a great alternative if you’re looking for free PDF creation and editing software.
List of Best PDfs Editing Apps for Android and iOS
If yours are mobile devicesyou can rest assured that there is a wide variety of applications that will allow you to edit your PDFs to perfection with several special functions that computer editors have nothing to envy. The best are:
PDF Element App
This is the mobile version of the editor that we mentioned before. On this type of device, it retains many of its main functions, with some limitations that you can eliminate if you export your documents to the desktop version, which you can do perfectly. You will be able to scan QR code encoded documents and edit them, as well as create your own PDFs from scratch.
PDFMax
Possibly best list editor, rivaling even the desktop Acrobat. In addition to all the basic functions that this type of program must have, it has other special ones that make it a truly unique application. Highlights its text reflow that allows you to read PDF without having to adjust the zoom of the screen; it will automatically choose the ideal frame so that you can have an adequate vision.
In the same way, you can extract individual pages from a complete document and use the text-to-speech engine to listen to everything that is written in it, making your ebooks authentic audio books. It also has several auto-fill options, so that the electronic forms you need are automatically filled with the data that the application has saved about you.
PDF EditorText
A fairly basic and free editor that perfectly meets what you need to make light edits to PDF documents. The drawback is that this only allows you to edit text, you won’t be able to add images or other elements such as interactive forms, although you will be able to insert hyperlinks.
PDF File Editor
This is another basic edit, although it has a couple of special functions such as placing a watermark on your documents or protect them with a password. However, it lacks other more powerful features like image insertion or electronic forms. Also, it’s just an editor, you won’t be able to create files from scratch.
List of Free Online PDF Document Editors
Finally there are the free online tools to edit your PDFs. Unlike an installable program or application, these platforms have quite limited functions, although depending on their needs they may perfectly meet what you need. The best options are:
PDFEscape
an online publisher very easy to use thanks to its simple interface that will allow you to create electronic forms. Other than that, there isn’t much more to say, besides being able to insert text since it doesn’t admit images or other types of elements, which means that the documents you create here are flat and not very dynamic.
PDF Buddy
This is a more powerful editor that allows you to add images, signatures and correct the content of each document. Besides this, you can combine as well as divide them if necessary. The only disadvantage is that the quality of the images and graphic elements that you add are quite low.
DocHub
It is another good online alternative to edit PDF that allows you to insert images, watermarks and other graphic elements with an acceptable quality. Undoubtedly the best of this list of online publishers.
iLovePDF
It is one of the most famous online editing tools and used by millions of users. in an easy way allows from joining, dividing, compressing Files of this nature can even pass and convert other Word or JPG type documents to be able to open them in PDF.
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