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How to Highlight and Annotate a PDF

Updated 2026-09-17 · 2 min read

Annotation is reviewing rather than editing: you mark what should change without touching the content itself.

The main gotcha is that some annotation types do not print by default.

PDFfont edits PDF text in the document's own embedded font — no white cover boxes.

The markup tools

Highlight, underline and strikethrough attach to text runs. Boxes, arrows and freehand ink go anywhere. Sticky notes hold longer comments without covering the page.

Reviewing with others

Comments carry between PDF readers, so a reviewer using Acrobat sees notes made here and vice versa. Keep one annotated master rather than three conflicting copies.

Making marks print

Sticky notes usually do not print. If the recipient needs the comments on paper, flatten the annotations into the page before exporting.

Frequently asked

Can I delete an annotation later?

Yes, unless it has been flattened.

Do highlights work on scans?

Highlight rectangles can be drawn, but they will not snap to text.

Can I change highlight colour?

Yes.

Try it on your own document

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