How to Adjust Highlight Length in Adobe Acrobat on iPhone & iPad
Question details
Users are unable to modify the start and end boundaries of existing text highlights within the Adobe Acrobat Reader mobile app.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Device & OS
- iPhone and iPad
- Scenario
- Attempting to change the length or position of a text highlight after it has already been applied to a PDF document.
- Observed behavior
- The app does not offer drag handles or options to adjust the boundaries of a highlight once it has been created.
Ensure you are using the latest version of the Adobe Acrobat Reader app from the App Store and that your PDF is not locked against editing.
Delete and Re-apply the Text Highlight
Since the Adobe Acrobat mobile app currently does not support resizing highlight boundaries, the most effective workaround is to remove the incorrect highlight and create a new one.
Currently, Adobe Acrobat Reader for iOS and iPadOS lacks the functionality to adjust the start or end points of an existing highlight. The app does not provide draggable handles for annotations once they are placed.
Adobe has acknowledged this user feedback and recorded it for consideration in a future update. Until this feature is introduced, manually replacing the highlight is the only way to fix incorrect text selections.
Tap directly on the highlighted text you wish to adjust. A small context menu will appear above it.
From the context menu, tap 'Clear' or the trash can icon to instantly remove the current highlight from the text.
Select the Highlight tool again from your toolbar, carefully drag your finger or Apple Pencil over the exact text length you want to cover, and release to apply.
Highlight and Edit PDFs Seamlessly with WPS Office
WPS Office provides a comprehensive suite of PDF editing tools for mobile devices, making it incredibly easy to highlight text, add annotations, and manage your documents on the go without unnecessary limitations.
- 1. Open your PDF in WPS Office: Launch the WPS Office mobile app and open the PDF document you want to read or annotate.
- 2. Access the Annotation Tools: Tap the 'Tools' menu at the bottom of the screen, switch to the 'Annotation' tab, and select the 'Highlight' tool.
- 3. Apply your Highlights: Drag your finger over the desired text to apply the highlight accurately.
- 4. Modify or Remove: If you make a mistake, simply tap the highlight to quickly delete and re-apply it with precision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the color of a highlight in Adobe Acrobat on my iPhone?
Yes. Tap on the existing highlighted text, and a context menu will appear. Select 'Color' to choose a different highlight color from the provided palette.
Why can't I select any text to highlight in my PDF?
If your PDF is a scanned document without OCR (Optical Character Recognition) applied, it behaves like an image, meaning individual words cannot be selected. Additionally, document security settings may restrict copying and highlighting.
Will Adobe add the ability to adjust highlight lengths on mobile?
Adobe has recorded user feedback regarding the inability to adjust highlight boundaries on iOS and iPadOS. While there is no official timeline, the development team is considering it for future app updates.
