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How to Edit or Delete Text Boxes in Adobe Acrobat on Android
Question details
Users are unable to select, copy, delete, or modify text boxes and their borders using the Adobe Acrobat app on Android tablets.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Device & OS
- Android
- Scenario
- Attempting to manage, edit, or delete text boxes and borders within a PDF file on an Android tablet.
- Observed behavior
- While basic text can sometimes be added, users cannot select or modify existing text boxes, especially in PDFs that consist of scanned images, due to mobile app limitations.
Ensure your PDF document is not a flattened image or a scanned file without OCR applied, as this inherently prevents text box selection on any mobile device.
Verify Document Type and Edit on Desktop
Because the mobile version of Adobe Acrobat lacks advanced layout manipulation, confirming your document type and switching to the desktop application is the best way to gain full control over text boxes.
The Android version of Adobe Acrobat Reader has feature limitations compared to its desktop counterpart. Advanced object management, such as resizing text box borders or deleting complex formatting, is often unavailable on mobile.
Tap on the text in your PDF on your Android tablet. If no text cursor appears and you cannot highlight words, the document is likely a scanned image without selectable text.
If you cannot edit the file locally, tap the share or save icon to upload the document to Adobe Document Cloud.
Launch Adobe Acrobat on your Windows or Mac computer and open the synced file from the cloud.
Click on 'Edit PDF' in the right pane. You will now be able to click directly on text boxes to resize borders, delete the box entirely, or run OCR on scanned images.
Report Issues with Selectable Text to Adobe Support
If you are certain the PDF contains selectable text (not a scan) but you still cannot copy or edit text boxes, you may need to submit diagnostic info to Adobe.
Easily Edit PDF Text Boxes Across All Devices with WPS Office
Overcome mobile PDF editing limitations by using WPS Office. It provides comprehensive PDF viewing and editing tools across Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac, making it simple to modify text, edit images, and manage text boxes effortlessly.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office app on your Android device or PC.
- 2. Open your PDF: Launch the application and open your target PDF file within the WPS PDF viewer.
- 3. Enter Edit Mode: Tap or click on the 'Edit' tab at the top of the screen to make document elements selectable.
- 4. Modify Text Boxes: Tap on any text box to reveal border handles. You can now resize the borders, rewrite the text, or hit the delete icon to remove the text box completely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I select text in my PDF on my Android tablet?
If the PDF was created from a scanned physical document or an image, the text is flattened and not naturally selectable. You must apply OCR (Optical Character Recognition) software to convert the image into machine-readable text before you can select or edit it.
Does the Adobe Acrobat Android app have the same features as the PC version?
No, the mobile version of Acrobat is heavily streamlined for viewing and basic annotations. Advanced layout editing, such as modifying text box borders or complex object management, generally requires the desktop version of Adobe Acrobat.
How do I check which version of Adobe Acrobat I am using on Android?
Open the Acrobat Reader mobile app, tap on your Profile icon in the corner, and select 'About Adobe Acrobat'. This screen will display the exact build and version number currently installed on your device.
