If you are working with PDF files, then you might know some of the basics that go along with them. However, there are also many things you can do with PDF files that some computer users may not necessarily know. You might want to learn about a few of them, so let’s talk about some of the most useful things you can do with a PDF file right now.
1. Merging PDF Files
You can merge two PDF files, and there are certain situations where it might behoove you to do that. You can do so by utilizing one of the many tools that are available for the purpose. For instance, Adobe makes one.
You would open Adobe Acrobat and select “combine files.” Next, you would click where it says “add files.” Finish by clicking “combine files.”
2. Fill and Sign Forms
You can fill and sign forms with a PDF. Do so by opening the PDF with Adobe Acrobat. Select “fill and sign.” Fill out the form next.
Continue by clicking the “sign” button where you see it in the toolbar. Save the file and then share it to anywhere you would like it to go. If you’re running a business, you may find yourself using this functionality often.
3. Edit Your PDF Content
You might also edit the content of your PDF. Do so by choosing a PDF editor. There are several of them available.
Next, you will convert the PDF to an editable format. You may need to enable optical character recognition as well.
You can now edit the text directly in your PDF. You can edit or add images. Commenting and annotating are also options at this point.
4. Extract Images and Text
Extracting images and text is another option that might appeal. You will first use optical character recognition. Next, you can leverage PDF extraction tools. Again, there are several from which you can choose.
You might consider using a batch processing tool at this point. Extract the images and text that you no longer want to be a part of the PDF. You can also consider using pre-trained AI models, as certain ones are useful if you’re going to be going through this process several times per day.
5. Password Protect Your PDF
You may find that you’re in a situation where you want to password protect a PDF because you don’t want anyone unauthorized to view its content. You can do that more easily than you might imagine.
Upload your file into Adobe Acrobat or another PDF management tool of your choice. Type in a strong password and then confirm it.
You may also want to consider using a password creator. Just make sure that you either write the password down somewhere you will remember it or save it to your computer automatically, assuming you’re using a private computer and not a public one.
6. Compress Your PDF
It can be annoying sometimes if you’re trying to share a PDF with someone, but you can’t do it because of its size. Luckily, compressing a PDF file isn’t very difficult.
Again, you can turn to Adobe Acrobat, though certain other tool suites will also let you do this. If you’re using Acrobat, you will simply drag and drop your file into the tool before giving it the order to compress the file. You can go from high to medium or from medium to low, depending on the size you would like for the finished product.
7. Annotate Your PDF
We mentioned annotation earlier, but it deserves a closer look. PDF annotation is vital because sometimes, if you are using the PDF for academic purposes, a professor or instructor will demand it. You may also need annotation if you’re working in the IT field.
You can do many different things to a PDF with an annotation tool. For instance, you might highlight any key points that you would like someone to pay close attention to. You can also add comments if you’re going to be sharing the PDF with someone.
You can use different colors for individual areas. You might also circle text, cross it out, or switch its location around. Make sure to save your progress once you’re done.
8. Convert Your PDF
PDF conversion is one of the most common things you might be called upon to do with one of these files. You can change a PDF into another format with several different tools. PDF4me and Smallpdf are two of the more popular ones.
You might also convert it to an editable format. You may add security features of various kinds. You can extract pages with an extraction tool. You may convert a scanned PDF into editable text using optical character recognition.
9. Split Your PDF
We’ll conclude by talking about splitting your PDF. You may need to do this if you would like to share some aspects of it with some users while retaining other parts for yourself. If you have a class project that involves some degree of group participation, you should have this skill in your back pocket and ready to be deployed at a moment’s notice.
Splitting your PDF can be accomplished using ILovePDf, Smallpdf, and similar tools. These are websites that you don’t need to download, and they’re very user-friendly. You can also use Adobe Acrobat Pro DC for the same purpose.
You can also do batch processing, which is a more complex form of splitting a PDF. You can split the PDF into custom page ranges. You can even automate the splitting of your PDF in various ways with some of the more advanced features of the programs we have described.
As you become more adept at using PDFs, many of these procedures should become second nature to you. Some individuals in academia and various professional niches become frustrated with PDFs because they feel that they’re unwieldy.
However, that’s a misconception. If you can master the tool suites and programs available for the manipulation of PDFs, you should find them much easier to work with.
