OneDrive File Issues

How to Change OneDrive PDF Markup Text Size and Color on iPad

Algirdas Jasaitis Oct 15, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are unable to locate or use the controls to adjust text size and color in the OneDrive PDF markup tool on their iPad.

How to Change OneDrive PDF Markup Text Size and Color on iPad

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: iPadOS
Scenario: Annotating or marking up a PDF document using the built-in PDF viewer in the OneDrive app.
Observed behavior: The controls for changing the font size and text color are missing, grayed out, or display inconsistently compared to older app versions or previous iPad models.

Before you start

Ensure your iPad is connected to the internet and verify that the PDF file you are trying to edit does not have security restrictions or read-only permissions that disable annotations.

Solution 1Recommended

Update Apps and Restart Your iPad

Outdated versions of OneDrive or iPadOS can cause the PDF annotation controls to glitch or disappear. Updating ensures you have the latest compatibility patches.

Microsoft frequently updates the OneDrive app to fix interface bugs on specific iPad models. Applying the latest updates and performing a fresh restart often restores missing features.

Check for OneDrive updates

Open the App Store on your iPad, tap your profile icon at the top right, scroll down to check for available updates, and tap 'Update' next to Microsoft OneDrive.

Check for iPadOS updates

Go to the iPad 'Settings' app, tap 'General', and select 'Software Update'. If an update is available, download and install it.

Restart the iPad

Press and hold the top button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off the iPad, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on.

Test the markup tool

Launch OneDrive, open your PDF file, tap the 'Markup' icon, and check if the text color and size customization toolbar is now visible.

Solution 2

Test an Alternative PDF and Reinstall OneDrive

Certain PDF files restrict annotation features. Testing a different file isolates the issue, while reinstalling fixes corrupted app data.

Powerful PDF Annotation Alternative

Annotate and Edit PDFs Effortlessly with WPS Office

If OneDrive's built-in PDF viewer restricts your markup capabilities, WPS Office provides a robust, fully-featured PDF editor for iPad. You can easily adjust text sizes, change colors, and draw on your documents without compatibility issues.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for free from the App Store on your iPad.
2. Connect Your Cloud: Open WPS Office, navigate to the 'Cloud' or 'Files' section, and link your Microsoft OneDrive account.
3. Open Your PDF: Browse your linked OneDrive folders and tap the target PDF file to open it in the WPS Office PDF editor.
4. Annotate and Customize: Select the 'Annotation' or 'Edit' tab from the top menu to freely add text, highlight, and instantly customize font sizes and text colors using the property toolbar.
5. Save Automatically: Tap the 'Save' icon when you are finished. The annotated PDF will automatically sync back to your OneDrive cloud storage.

Rich PDF annotation tools with easily customizable text colors and font sizesSeamlessly open and save files directly from cloud storage, including OneDriveFully compatible with standard PDF and Microsoft Office formatsLightweight app interface perfectly optimized for iPadOS performance

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the PDF text color controls disappear after an iPadOS update?

Major OS updates can sometimes introduce temporary compatibility bugs with third-party apps like OneDrive. Updating the OneDrive app to the latest version usually patches the interface and restores missing PDF markup controls.

Can a protected PDF file prevent me from changing markup text size?

Yes. If a PDF document contains security restrictions, digital signatures, or is marked as read-only by the author, the annotation tools (including text size and color adjustments) will be disabled or hidden in the OneDrive viewer.

Are OneDrive annotation features the same across all iPad models?

Not necessarily. Depending on your iPad model's screen size and generation, the app interface may condense or nest certain customization settings. A feature easily visible on an iPad Pro might be located inside a dropdown menu on an iPad Mini.

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