Other PDF Issues

Fix Liquid Mode Compatibility for PDF Copying and Annotations

Muhammad Talha Oct 19, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users want to copy text and add annotations to PDFs while using Liquid Mode, but find that certain documents are incompatible or restricted, especially longer files.

Fix Liquid Mode Compatibility for PDF Copying and Annotations

Product: PDF Reader
Device & OS: Phones and Tablets
Scenario: Attempting to copy text, add annotations, or reflow reading layout for a lengthy PDF document on a mobile device.
Observed behavior: Some PDF files fail to support text copying or markups in Liquid Mode, and there is a limitation on the length of documents that can be processed.

Before you start

Ensure your PDF is not protected by restrictive security settings or password encryption, as these natively prevent copying and annotating regardless of the reading mode you use.

Solution 1Recommended

Review Liquid Mode Limitations and Document Properties

Liquid Mode has specific constraints regarding file size, page count, and document structure that dictate whether a PDF can be annotated or copied.

Liquid Mode processes PDFs on the fly to enhance mobile readability. However, complex files, scanned documents without OCR, files exceeding size limits (e.g., over 10MB or 200 pages), or files with intricate formatting often fall back to a restricted view where copying and annotations are disabled.

Check PDF length and size

Verify that your PDF is within the application's supported file size and page limits for Liquid Mode rendering.

Switch to standard reading mode

If you urgently need to annotate, tap the Liquid Mode icon to disable it and return to the standard PDF layout, which usually restores full annotation and selection tools.

Perform OCR on scanned PDFs

If the PDF is an image-based scan, use an OCR tool on a desktop application to convert the images into recognizable text before opening it on your mobile device.

Scanned Documents: Liquid Mode cannot extract text from image-only PDFs. Text must be selectable in the native document for copying and highlighting to function.

Solution 2

Submit Feedback for Expanded File Compatibility

Because compatibility limits are hardcoded into the software's engine, submitting direct user feedback is the most effective way to request support for larger files.

Seamless PDF Reading on Mobile

Use WPS Office Mobile View for Unrestricted PDF Annotation

WPS Office features an advanced 'Mobile View' that seamlessly reflows PDF text to fit your phone or tablet screen. Unlike other restrictive modes, WPS allows you to comfortably read, copy, and annotate PDFs of varying lengths without sacrificing essential markup tools.

1. Open the PDF in WPS Office: Launch the WPS Office app on your mobile device and open your desired PDF document.
2. Activate Mobile View: Tap the 'Mobile View' icon located at the bottom of your screen to automatically adjust the text layout for comfortable reading.
3. Select and Annotate Text: Long-press any paragraph to select text. A pop-up menu will appear, allowing you to copy, highlight, underline, or add a note.
4. Save your Markups: Any annotations made in Mobile View will be securely saved to your PDF and remain fully visible when you open the file on a desktop.

Mobile View intelligently adapts PDF text to eliminate horizontal scrollingEasily copy text, highlight, and add notes directly within the reflowed layoutHandles large PDF files and lengthy ebooks with easeHighly compatible with all standard Microsoft Office and Adobe PDF formats

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I copy text from my PDF in Liquid Mode?

If the PDF is highly complex, exceeds the app's file size/page limits, or consists entirely of scanned images without OCR, the text cannot be recognized or selected by the rendering engine.

Are there page limits for reading PDFs on mobile devices?

Yes, some proprietary reading modes have strict caps on document length (such as 200 pages) to maintain performance. Files exceeding this limit revert to the standard viewing mode.

How can I annotate a PDF if mobile reading mode disables it?

Simply disable the specialized reading mode to return to the document's original, fixed layout. This generally re-enables standard annotation features like highlighting, drawing, and sticky notes.

Do PDF password restrictions affect text selection on mobile?

Yes. If the author of the PDF has applied document security restricting text copying and extraction, those protections remain active regardless of the reading mode or application you use.

PDF Troubleshooting