PDF files are used in various institutions like governments, colleges, schools, and departments for their highly secure attribute and hard-to-change format. Unlike Word documents, PDF files enable users to put text, images, shapes, and notes in the margins or any place. It is very convenient to enrich PDFs with your ideas by adding shapes as long as you have an effective PDF editor.
Therefore, in this post, we present the simplest three options on how to add shapes to PDF documents on different platforms. You can work with them to integrate shapes on PDF files in a visually appealing way. The three PDF editors are:
- WorkinTool PDF Converter (Windows, free)
- Adobe Acrobat (Windows & Mac, paid)
- WorkinTool PDF Editor (Online, free)
How to Add Shapes to PDF Documents on Windows
WorkinTool PDF Converter, as its name shows, is a professional tool to convert PDFs from or to other formats. However, few people know this tiny program’s hidden and reliable PDF editing features. People who download this tool will find they acquire not only a PDF converter but also a PDF editor with versatile features.
Apart from PDF converting, WorkinTool PDF Converter can also add shapes to PDF, password protect PDF, add watermarks to PDF, merge/split/rotate/remove PDF pages, and more. This niche but reliable software also wins good comments for the following features. See what else WorkinTool can do and how to use it to add shapes.
Key Features
- Completely Free: Users downloading WorkinTool PDF Converter do not need to register, pay for locked features, or remove watermarks before saving files.
- All-around Features: WorkinTool combines a PDF converter, PDF reader, and PDF editor into one program. Users can enjoy one-stop service without pressure.
- Easy to Operate: This program adopts a modern interface design and labels each feature clearly. Users can find features they need and make use of them without learning.
- Various Annotations: The shapes you can add to your PDF files with WorkinTool include: lines, rectangles, circles, arrows, polygons, and polylines. You can also put notes, text, images, signatures, text boxes, stamps, and more objects on your PDF for free as desired.
How to Add Shapes to PDF via WorkinTool
Step 1: Free download and launch WokinTool. Then go to the View & Edit bar and select PDF Edit to upload a PDF file.
Step 2: Click on the downward arrow next to the Line icon. You can select a shape you need in the dropdown menu to draw on the PDF file.
Step 3: The upper toolbar allows you to change the color, fill-in color, opacity, thickness, and line styles of the added shape. After editing, press the upper left Download button to save the PDF.
How to Add Shapes to PDF on Mac
It is needless to mention how reliable and versatile Adobe Acrobat is. As the creator of the PDF format, Adobe put a range of tools in its PDF editors. Users can create, convert, edit, protect, and review PDF documents freely as they want. In addition to shapes, Adobe Acrobat can also add comments, digital signatures, stamps, rich media, text notes, and more to PDF files.
All in all, this software is trustworthy and worthwhile if you are a frequent PDF editor user. Its price is reasonable, at $29.99/month and 239.88/year.
Key Features
- Cross-Platform: Users can add shapes to PDFs on Windows and Mac computers. There are also many online PDF converting and editing tools.
- All-around Features: This all-in-one software empowers users to create, edit, review, e-sign PDF documents, and more without breaking a sweat.
- Various Annotations: Users can add text, lines, arrows, rectangles, circles, arrows, polygons, connected lines, clouds, text callouts, and more to PDF files.
How to Put Shapes on PDFs via Adobe Acrobat Pro
Step 1: Run Adobe Acrobat Pro and navigate to Tools > Share & Review > Comment to upload a PDF file.
Step 2: Select the icon of the Drawing Tools and pick a shape style you need. Then draw a shape on your PDF file. You can change the color, line thickness, and text properties as you like.
Step 3: Go to File > Save As to export the edited PDF. It is better to save a copy of the PDF file in case of accidental changes.
How to Insert Shapes into PDF Files Online
In case of urgent need, WorkinTool also prepares an online PDF editor to save time. This online PDF editor is no different from the PDF editor feature in WorkinTool PDF Converter. It can also add many annotations to PDF. The only downside is that its functions are not as complete as the desktop counterpart, and it is more suitable for users who are in urgent needs, only have mobile devices around, or make minor modifications after completing PDF editing.
Key Features
- Completely Free: Similar to the desktop version, WorkinTool online PDF editor is also entirely free. It doesn’t need registration, subscription, or anything else.
- Easy to Use: This online editor enjoys the same interface and operation steps as the desktop one. It also labels each feature clearly.
- Accessible Anytime: You can use this online PDF shape editor anytime and anywhere as long as there is a stable network.
- Various Annotations: The shapes you can put on your PDF files online with WorkinTool include: lines, rectangles, circles, arrows, polygons, and polylines. You can also put notes, text, images, signatures, text boxes, stamps, and more objects on your PDF for free as desired.
How to Add Shapes to PDF Online via WorkinTool
Step 1: Go to WorkinTool online PDF editor to upload a PDF document.
Step 2: Click the Line icon, pick a line style in the dropdown menu, and draw a shape on the PDF file. You can customize the line thickness, color, style, and opacity as desired.
Step 3: After editing, click the Download icon in the upper left to save your file.
Concluding Thoughts
You must know which PDF editor is the best for you to add shapes now. WorkinTool PDF Converter and its online PDF editor are entirely free to use and accessible on any device. It can be used as an Adobe alternative. Adobe Acrobat provides comprehensive features for PDF editing. Users who are willing to pay for more advanced PDF editing tools will like Adobe Acrobat. Now, it is time to add shapes to PDF to enrich your thoughts with a handy tool!
