How to Highlight Text with Apple Pencil After Adobe Acrobat Update
Question details
Users need to know how to use the Apple Pencil to highlight text in Adobe Acrobat, as the standard drag gesture was changed after a recent update.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- iPadOS
- Scenario
- Highlighting and annotating text in a PDF document using an Apple Pencil.
- Observed behavior
- A simple drag no longer highlights text; users must now perform a long press until a magnifying glass appears before dragging to highlight.
Ensure your Apple Pencil is properly paired with your iPad and check that you have the latest version of Adobe Acrobat installed to guarantee gesture consistency.
Highlight Text Using Commenting Mode
Use the dedicated highlight tool in commenting mode by applying the new long-press gesture.
Following the recent update, the gesture to highlight text was modified to prevent accidental selections while scrolling. You now need to trigger the magnifying glass first.
Open your PDF in Acrobat and tap the Comment icon to access the annotation tools.
Tap the Highlight icon from the toolbar that appears on your screen.
Using your Apple Pencil, long-press at the beginning of the text you want to highlight until the magnifying glass appears.
Drag your Apple Pencil across the desired text to apply the highlight.
Highlight Text Outside of Commenting Mode
Quickly highlight text while reading without opening the full commenting toolbar.
Easily Highlight PDF Text on iPad with WPS Office
If you find Acrobat's updated gestures cumbersome, try WPS Office. It provides an intuitive, seamless PDF reading and annotation experience on iPad, allowing you to easily highlight text with your Apple Pencil.
- 1. Open Your PDF: Launch WPS Office on your iPad and open the target PDF file.
- 2. Enter Annotation Mode: Tap the 'Annotation' or 'Edit' tab at the top of the screen to reveal the markup tools.
- 3. Select Highlight: Choose the Highlight tool from the top menu and pick your preferred color.
- 4. Highlight Seamlessly: Simply drag your Apple Pencil across the text to highlight it instantly—no complex long-press gestures required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Acrobat change the highlighting gesture for the Apple Pencil?
Adobe updated the gesture to separate text selection from document scrolling. The long-press requirement prevents accidental highlights when you are trying to swipe or scroll through a PDF page.
Can I revert the highlight gesture back to a simple drag in Acrobat?
Currently, Adobe does not offer an internal setting to revert to the old simple drag gesture. The long-press and drag method is the new standard behavior in the app.
How do I delete a highlight made with the Apple Pencil?
To remove a highlight in Acrobat, tap on the highlighted text and select 'Delete' or tap the trash can icon from the context pop-up menu.
Does this gesture change apply to finger touch as well?
Yes, in recent Acrobat updates, the long-press and drag gesture is generally required for both finger and Apple Pencil inputs to select and highlight text accurately.
