How to Adjust Text Covered by a Highlight in Adobe Acrobat
Question details
The user wants to extend or shorten an existing text highlight in a PDF while keeping the comment attached to it.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Modifying existing highlight annotations and their corresponding comments in a PDF document.
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat does not provide a reliable, native way to simply drag or adjust the boundaries of an existing text highlight while preserving its associated comment.
Ensure your PDF document is not restricted from editing or commenting, and always copy your existing note text to your clipboard before deleting any highlights to prevent accidental data loss.
Recreate the Highlight and Transfer the Comment
Since Acrobat does not allow dynamic resizing of highlights with attached comments, you must copy your text, delete the old annotation, and create a new one.
Adobe Acrobat links the comment object directly to the exact text string you initially highlighted. Because there is no built-in drag-to-resize feature for text highlights, the most reliable method is manually transferring your comment to a newly created highlight.
Double-click the current highlight in your PDF to open the comment note pop-up. Highlight all the text inside the note, right-click, and select 'Copy'.
Right-click the highlighted text on the document page and select 'Delete' from the context menu. This removes both the highlight and the original comment box.
Use your cursor to select the correct, extended, or shortened range of text. Right-click the selection and choose 'Highlight Text' to apply the new annotation.
Double-click the newly created highlight to open its empty comment box. Right-click inside the box and select 'Paste' to restore your original note.
Easily Highlight and Annotate PDFs with WPS Office
WPS Office includes a robust, built-in PDF editor that makes managing highlights, comments, and annotations straightforward. If you frequently read and mark up PDF files, WPS PDF provides a smooth, user-friendly experience.
- 1. Open your PDF: Launch WPS Office and open the PDF document you want to review.
- 2. Access the Comment tools: Navigate to the 'Comment' tab located on the top ribbon menu.
- 3. Select text to highlight: Click the 'Highlight' icon, then drag your cursor over the exact text you wish to mark.
- 4. Add your notes: Click on the newly created highlight to instantly pop open the note field and type your comments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I just drag the edge of a highlight to resize it in Acrobat?
Adobe Acrobat treats text highlights as rigid objects tied to the specific text characters selected during creation. It does not currently support dynamic edge-dragging to resize these text-based annotations.
Will deleting a highlight in my PDF also delete my comment?
Yes, in Adobe Acrobat and most PDF readers, the comment note is a child object of the highlight itself. If you delete the highlight, the attached comment is permanently deleted as well, which is why you must copy the text first.
Is there a keyboard shortcut to highlight text in PDF?
Yes, in Adobe Acrobat you can often select text and press 'Ctrl + U' or right-click to apply a highlight. In WPS Office, you can select the text and use the mini floating toolbar that appears to quickly highlight it.
