How To Edit PDFs in Preview on Mac?

I. What is Preview ?

Preview is an image viewer and PDF reader for Mac OS, derived from NeXT’s OpenStep operating system. It offers simple editing functions like cropping, rotating, and adding text, signatures, or remarks. Additionally, it can convert file formats and output to HEIC, JPEG-2000, JPEG, OpenEXR, PDF, PNG, and TIFF.

Learn about Preview application, below we will share how to edit PDF files with the “Preview” application, please continue reading.

II. How to use Mac to preview and edit PDF files

1. Add text and crop PDF

Open a PDF file in Preview. Click the upper right corner (Show Markup Toolbar) to display editing tools. Click the (T) icon to add text, or the (rectangular selection) icon to frame content. Then click the (Crop) button to cut the PDF; the framed content will be retained while the rest is hidden in Preview, though it may be viewable with other applications.

2. Sketch and add shapes

Click the Sketch button to draw freely on the PDF page, add shapes or text, and use the automatic correction function for straight lines, circles, boxes, stars, etc. You can also keep the original pattern without correction. Click the Shape button to add lines, arrows, boxes, circles, stars, and other shapes. Both functions help mark important content in the PDF.

3. Add signature and notes

Click the (Signature) button to add a signature to the PDF. You can sign on the touchpad, sign on paper and import via camera, or sign on an iPhone and sync to “Preview.” Finally, click (Finish).

Click the Remarks button to open a yellow sticky note for adding text. Click outside the note to shrink and move it. To view notes in the PDF, click the icon in the upper left corner (select sidebar display) and check Key Points and Notes.

4. Convert PDF format and encrypt

After editing the PDF file, click File > Export, select the desired file format in the pop-up window, and choose from HEIC, JPEG-2000, JPEG, OpenEXR, PDF, PNG, and TIFF. To encrypt the file, check the Encryption option under to set a password, then click Save to convert or save the PDF file.

The above method for using Mac to preview and edit PDF files is very practical. If you’re a Windows user, check the next section for a useful PDF editing and conversion tool. Let’s take a look.

III. PDF editing and conversion tool for Windows: Renee PDF Aide

1. What is Renee PDF Aide?

Renee PDF Aide is a multifunctional tool for PDF editing and format conversion. Its simple and versatile interface offers practical PDF editing functions, such as repairing damaged files, optimizing large file loading times, splitting or merging PDF files, adjusting the display angle, encrypting/decrypting PDFs, adding watermarks, and converting images to PDF. Additionally, it can convert PDF files to common formats like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Image, HTML, and TXT. It supports quick conversion of entire documents or specified pages at speeds up to 80 pages per minute.

Renee PDF Aide integrates advanced OCR technology and offers language packages in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese. Selecting the correct recognition language in OCR mode significantly improves the accuracy of character recognition when converting scanned documents or pictures.

2. How to edit and convert PDF files with Renee PDF Aide?

Renee PDF Aide has two functions: basic PDF editing and converting PDFs to other formats (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Image, HTML, TXT, etc.). Here are the specific steps.

Step 1: Download and install Renee PDF Aide, then open the software. Click (PDF Tools).

Step 2: From the top function menu, select any function for personalized PDF editing, such as repair, optimization, split, merge, rotate, encrypt/decrypt, watermark, and image to PDF conversion. Batch editing is also available for convenience and speed.

Step 3: Click the (convert) button to export the file.

Step 1: Download and install Renee PDF Aide, run the software, and select the (Convert PDF) option.

Step 2: On the format conversion page, select the desired file format such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Image, HTML, or TXT. Click the “Add File” button to import the file for conversion. Check the “Enable OCR” option to enhance character recognition accuracy.

Step 3: After importing the file, set the converted page in the Selected Pages column, supporting all or specific pages. Choose the save location in Output Settings, then click Convert to quickly convert the PDF into other formats.