How to Underline Text in PDF

Most of those who work with digital documents in PDF format have had to deal with the difficulties of changing them. For example, when adding a new graphic object, editing PDF text or highlighting the content.

Today you will learn how to underline text in PDF using web-based tools and desktop software. Being able to do it online saves hard drive space, while offline programs provide comprehensive features.

In this article, we will look at 3 convenient and easy ways available on absolutely any device.

Method 1. PDF Candy

PDF Candy is a web service that provides a wide range of tools to manage and convert documents. To underline needed text in your papers online and for free, follow the step-by-step instructions below.

How to underline the text in PDF online with PDF Candy

1. Open the free online PDF editor and upload the file you want to work with.
2. Pick the appropriate tool from the menu on the left. It looks like an underlined letter U.
3. Use the mouse cursor to select words, sentences, and whole paragraphs on the page.
4. When the content is fully edited, click the green "Export" button to create a new file.
5. Download the document, share it, or continue working with other available features.

With this simple service, there's no need to install complex desktop programs or mobile apps. And besides - it is completely free and very fast!

Additional tools

This online PDF editor is capable of performing the following tasks:

1. Hand. Navigate and scroll through the document. Click and drag to move the view around, making it easier to read and explore different parts.
2. Select. Choose objects within the page to copy, cut out, move, or perform other actions.
3. Text. Add new or edit existing PDF text if needed. Press anywhere to create a box and type your desired content.
4. Highlight. Set different colors to emphasize important sections or notes.
5. Pencil. Draw directly on the page with your mouse or finger. Adjust the stroke size and pick one of 10 colors.
6. Rectangle. Place rectangular shapes to the document. Use it to highlight areas, create borders, or draw attention to specific sections.
7. Whiteout. Remove or cover up content by applying a white overlay. It is great for redacting sensitive information or mistakes.
8. Line. Draw straight lines to create dividers or connect different parts.
9. Arrow. Create arrows to point to specific areas or indicate a sequence of steps.
10. Add image. Choose an image file from your computer and place it at your desired location.
11. Strikeout. Indicate deletions or mark parts that are no longer relevant or correct.
12. Signature. Create a new signature using a mouse or by uploading a photo of your handwritten signature.

Advantages of the online PDF text editor

• All you need is a simple browser that is included in every desktop and mobile device.
• The drag-and-drop mechanism is also supported by the free PDF editor.
• The free version allows not only to underline text in your PDF, but it also contains all the necessary features to edit the PDFs.
• Works on all devices, regardless of the operating system and technical characteristics of gadgets.
• Has great functionality and flexible settings that will help you make a document of high quality in a short time.
• You will only need an Internet connection for work. Thanks to this, the same content can be processed on different devices.
• After editing, the file is stored on the server for two hours. This is relevant if you work on different gadgets.
• Compatibility with cloud storage services such as Google Drive and Dropbox will prevent PDFs from getting lost, and save space on your laptop or tablet.

Adobe Acrobat Reader

Adobe Acrobat Reader is a free PDF viewing software. It's one of the most widely used PDF readers globally and is available for various platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.

How to underline PDF text on a PC with Adobe Acrobat Reader

1. Download and launch Adobe Acrobat Reader on your device.
2. Open the PDF file you want to edit.
3. Employ your cursor to highlight the desired content.
4. A toolbar will appear next to the selected area. Choose the "Underline text" option.
5. Save the changes before closing.

Pros:

• Any changes are non-destructive, meaning it doesn't permanently alter the original. You can always select the annotation and remove it.
• If you're collaborating on a document with other people, underlining text allows you to communicate your thoughts or suggestions effectively.
• You can select different colors and add comments to include additional context, explanations, or feedback.

Cons:

• Most other tools, like the ability to add electronic signatures, are only available in the paid version—Adobe Acrobat Pro.

Preview

Preview is a built-in PDF software on macOS that serves as a versatile option for viewing and editing PDFs. It offers basic functionalities like annotating PDFs, cropping images, adjusting colors, and adding watermarks, etc.

How to underline the text in your PDF on macOS in Preview

1. Open the PDF in Preview.
2. Click the "Markup" button located in the upper-right corner.
3. From the toolbar that appears, select "Sketch" that looks like a squiggly line.
4. Use your mouse or trackpad to draw a line underneath.
5. Save your changes by pressing "File" in the menu bar.

Pros:

• The app comes pre-installed on macOS devices, so there's no need to download additional software.
• It offers a variety of annotation tools, including highlighting, adding text boxes, drawing, and more.
• Seamless integration with other macOS applications, offering convenient sharing options and compatibility with iCloud.

Cons:

• Changes made in Preview may not always display correctly in other PDF editors or viewers.
• People on operating systems other than macOS don't have access to this program.
• It lacks built-in OCR functionality, which means it cannot recognize text in scanned papers or images.

Tips and tricks

1. Select an appropriate width that complements the font size. An overly thick line may obscure portions of characters.
2. Place the line slightly below the baseline to prevent interference with descenders (e.g., "g" or "y").
3. Use solid strokes for emphasis, dashed patterns for editorial suggestions, and double lines for highlighting key points in formal documents.
4. Lock or restrict editing of markup elements to prevent unintentional alterations when distributing the file for review.
5. Before finalizing, verify that underlines remain distinguishable in both digital and printed formats.

FAQ

How do I remove underlined text in a PDF?

This depends on the PDF software or service you have. In most cases, you can select the underlined part and then use the layout options to remove the object.

Does underlining affect the original text or formatting?

No, it is usually applied as an annotation or overlay on top of the existing text.

Is it possible to underline text in a PDF on a mobile device?

Yes, you can always utilize the online PDF editor on your smartphone. Plus, there are many apps for mobile devices that offer annotation tools. They allow you to underline PDF text on both iOS and Android.

When collaborating on a PDF, does underlining remain visible to other people?

Yes, when you share it with collaborators, the underlined parts remain visible to them. However, make sure they have a PDF reader or editor that supports viewing annotations.

If I print a PDF with underlined text, will it be visible?

Yes, it should be visible when you print the document, provided that the printer and its settings are configured correctly.

Conclusion

Overall, knowing how to underline text in your PDFs, whether offline or online, is a valuable skill for anyone who frequently works with digital files.

Other PDF tools

• Compress PDF if it's too large.
• Convert PDF to Word document to change its content in a text editor of your choice.
• Create watermark and apply it to make sure your copyright is preserved.