How to Remove XML Tags from Adobe Reader Text Box Annotations
Question details
The user needs to remove visible XML or XHTML formatting tags that are displaying around the text inside PDF text-box annotations.
- Product
- Adobe Reader
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Editing a PDF document by adding text-box annotations or copying text from the Comments list.
- Observed behavior
- After pressing Return or pasting text, the text inside the annotation is unexpectedly surrounded by raw XML or XHTML formatting tags.
Before troubleshooting, ensure you have saved a backup copy of your PDF document to prevent any accidental loss of your existing annotations during the editing process.
Update Adobe Reader and Check Annotation Settings
Updating your software resolves known bugs with rich-text formatting data becoming visible in the comments list.
Visible XML markup is usually internal formatting data that the software failed to hide. This frequently happens in outdated versions of Adobe Reader when interacting with the Comments list pane.
Open Adobe Reader, go to the 'Help' menu, and select 'Check for Updates' to ensure you are running the latest version.
Open your PDF and view the annotation directly on the document page rather than interacting with or copying from the Comments list pane.
Double-click the text box on the page to edit it directly, and manually delete any raw XML tags if they still appear around your text.
Delete and Recreate the Text-Box Annotation
If the XML tags persist due to corrupted formatting, deleting and recreating the annotation with a plain-text tool is the fastest fix.
Annotate PDFs Flawlessly with WPS Office
Avoid frustrating XML tag glitches by using the built-in PDF editor in WPS Office. It provides a clean, user-friendly interface for adding text boxes, comments, and annotations without exposing raw formatting code.
- 1. Open your PDF in WPS Office: Launch WPS Office and open your PDF document.
- 2. Access the Comment Tools: Navigate to the 'Comment' tab located on the top ribbon menu.
- 3. Insert a Text Box: Click the 'Text Box' icon and draw your text box directly on the document page.
- 4. Type your text: Enter your text directly. WPS Office handles all rich-text formatting cleanly in the background without displaying raw XML tags.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do XML tags appear in my PDF text boxes?
XML or XHTML tags typically appear when the rich-text formatting data of an annotation becomes corrupted, or when copying text from the Comments list in an outdated PDF viewer.
Will the XML tags show up when I print the PDF?
In most cases, if the markup tags are visible on the screen within the text box, they will also appear when printed. You should remove them or recreate the annotation before printing.
Can I use plain text instead of rich text for PDF annotations?
Yes, using a standard sticky note comment or recreating the text box without pasting rich-text content can help prevent internal markup tags from displaying.
