PDF Editing Issues

Fix PDF Text Changing into Boxes with Xs in Adobe Acrobat

Camila Milosovich Nov 3, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users experience typed numbers or text rendering as square boxes containing Xs when attempting to add text to a PDF.

Fix PDF Text Changing into Boxes with Xs in Adobe Acrobat

Product: Adobe Acrobat
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Adding text or numbers directly to a PDF page using Acrobat's Add Text tool.
Observed behavior: The newly entered text or numbers randomly change into boxes containing an 'X', indicating a font substitution or text-rendering failure.

Before you start

Ensure you have the latest version of Adobe Acrobat installed, as outdated versions may have unpatched font-rendering bugs.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Acrobat's Commenting Tools

Bypass direct text addition by using annotation tools, which utilize a more reliable font-rendering workflow.

Adding text directly to the page content can trigger font-substitution issues if the document's embedded fonts conflict with your system fonts. Annotations, such as comments and text boxes, operate on a different document layer and typically avoid this rendering error.

Open Comment Tools

In Adobe Acrobat, go to the right-hand tool pane and select 'Comment', or navigate to the 'Tools' menu at the top and click on 'Comment'.

Select the Text Box Tool

From the Comment toolbar that appears at the top of the screen, click the 'Add text box' icon (which looks like a square with a 'T' inside).

Insert Your Text

Click on the PDF page where you want your text or numbers to appear. Type your content into the box and format it as needed using the text properties toolbar.

Workflow Advantage: Using the Comment tool not only prevents the 'boxes with Xs' error but also makes it much easier to move, resize, or edit the text later.

Solution 2

Check Document Fonts and Print to PDF

Flatten the document to resolve underlying font-rendering conflicts before adding new text.

Reliable PDF Editing with WPS Office

Add Text to PDFs Smoothly with WPS PDF

Avoid frustrating font-rendering bugs and 'X' boxes by using WPS PDF. It offers a robust, free, and intuitive way to edit, annotate, and add text to your PDF documents without font substitution errors.

1. Open Your PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office, click on 'PDF' in the home interface, and open your document.
2. Select the Text Tool: Navigate to the 'Insert' tab on the top ribbon and click on 'Text Box'.
3. Add and Format Text: Click anywhere on the document to place the text box, type your content, and use the formatting panel to adjust font, size, and color without encountering rendering issues.

Smooth text rendering without font corruption or missing character boxesFully compatible with standard Adobe PDF formatsLightweight application that opens large files instantlyComprehensive commenting, text box, and editing tools built-in

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do fonts sometimes show up as boxes with Xs in PDFs?

This usually happens when a PDF viewer cannot find the exact font used in the document and fails to substitute it correctly. The missing characters are then displayed as generic boxes, sometimes containing an 'X' or a question mark, due to rendering or encoding failures.

Can I fix the 'boxes with Xs' error by installing new fonts?

Installing the missing fonts to your system's font folder can sometimes resolve the issue. However, if the PDF has restricted font embedding or a corrupted internal font dictionary, you may still need to use alternative methods like the Comment tool to add text.

Is adding text via Commenting different from the Add Text tool?

Yes. The 'Add Text' tool modifies the base content layer of the PDF, which requires strict font embedding and matching. Commenting tools add an annotation layer on top of the document, making them much less prone to system-level font-substitution errors.

PDF Troubleshooting