PDF Editing Issues

How to Scroll and Zoom While Using the Pencil Tool in PDF on iPad

Camila Milosovich Oct 19, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to navigate, scroll, and zoom inside a PDF document on an iPad without having to constantly deselect the Pencil tool.

How to Scroll and Zoom While Using the Pencil Tool in PDF on iPad

Product: Adobe Acrobat Reader
Device & OS: iPadOS
Scenario: Annotating or solving questions in a PDF document using the Pencil tool.
Observed behavior: The user believes scrolling and zooming are unavailable while the Pencil tool is active, as single-finger gestures only draw lines instead of moving the page.

Before you start

Ensure your iPad's screen is clean and that standard multitouch gestures are functioning correctly on your device.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Two-Finger Gestures for Scrolling and Zooming

Utilize standard iPad multitouch gestures to navigate the PDF while keeping the Pencil tool active.

By default, when you activate the Pencil or Pen tool in most mobile PDF applications, the app registers single-finger touches as drawing strokes. To differentiate between drawing and navigating, you must use multitouch gestures.

Select the Pencil Tool

Open your PDF document and select the Pencil tool from the Commenting or Annotation toolbar.

Pinch to Zoom

Place two fingers on the screen simultaneously and move them apart to zoom in, or pinch them together to zoom out.

Drag to Scroll

Keep two fingers pressed against the screen and drag them in any direction to pan or scroll across the document.

Resume Drawing

Once you have repositioned your view, simply use one finger or your Apple Pencil to continue writing.

Use Two-Finger Gestures for Scrolling and Zooming

Troubleshooting Gestures: If the two-finger gesture does not work, try opening a different PDF document to check if the issue is specific to a corrupted or heavy file.

Seamless PDF Annotation

Annotate and Navigate PDFs Effortlessly with WPS Office

WPS Office for iPad provides a powerful built-in PDF editor that perfectly supports multitouch gestures. You can smoothly write, scroll, and zoom without having to constantly switch tools, making document review highly efficient.

1. Download WPS Office: Install WPS Office from the App Store on your iPad and open the application.
2. Open Your PDF: Import or open your desired PDF document directly within the WPS Office app.
3. Select the Pen Tool: Navigate to the annotation menu and choose the Pen tool to start writing.
4. Navigate with Two Fingers: Use two fingers simultaneously to drag, scroll, or pinch-to-zoom without interrupting your drawing workflow.

Fully compatible with standard PDF formats and Adobe Acrobat files.Smooth drawing experience with native Apple Pencil support and palm rejection.Effortless two-finger zooming and scrolling while actively annotating.Free, lightweight, and easy-to-use mobile office suite for all document types.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can I only draw and not scroll when using the Pencil tool?

When a drawing tool is active, single-finger swipes are interpreted as drawing strokes. To bypass this and navigate the page, you must use two fingers simultaneously to pan or zoom.

Does the two-finger navigation gesture work with an Apple Pencil?

Yes. You can hold the Apple Pencil in your drawing hand to annotate, and use two fingers from your other hand to pinch or swipe the screen without disabling the Pencil tool.

What should I do if the two-finger gesture stops working on my iPad?

Try closing and reopening your PDF application. If the problem persists, test a different PDF file to ensure the document isn't corrupted, or verify that your iPad's multitouch settings are enabled in the Settings app.

PDF Troubleshooting