How to Use Drawing and Annotation Tools in Acrobat Desktop
Question details
The user is looking for drawing and annotation features in the desktop version of Adobe Acrobat, which seem less accessible or fewer compared to the iPad app.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Desktop
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Marking up and drawing on shared PDF files on a desktop computer.
- Observed behavior
- The desktop application appears to lack the prominent annotation and drawing tools found in the tablet application.
Ensure you have the full Adobe Acrobat desktop application installed, as limited web viewers or browser PDF plug-ins may not support comprehensive drawing features.
Enable the Comment Workspace in Acrobat DC
Access the full suite of markup tools by opening the dedicated Comment tool workspace in your Acrobat desktop application.
Desktop versions of Adobe Acrobat organize their tools differently than mobile or tablet apps. The freehand drawing and markup features are grouped inside the Comment workspace rather than being displayed on the default viewing interface.
Launch the Acrobat DC desktop application and open the shared PDF file you wish to annotate.
Click on the 'Tools' tab located at the top left of the main application window.
Locate and click on the 'Comment' icon. This action will open a specialized toolbar at the top of your document.
From the newly opened Comment toolbar, select the freehand drawing tool (often depicted as a pencil icon), text comments, highlights, or shape tools to begin marking up your PDF.
Use WPS PDF to Draw and Annotate Documents
If you are looking for an intuitive and lightweight desktop application for PDF markup, WPS PDF offers a comprehensive set of freehand drawing, highlighting, and commenting tools that are just as easy to use as tablet apps.
- 1. Download and Install WPS Office: Get the free version of WPS Office from the official website and launch the WPS PDF application.
- 2. Open Your PDF: Click 'Open' and load the shared PDF document you want to mark up.
- 3. Navigate to the Comment Tab: Click on the 'Comment' tab in the top ribbon menu to instantly access the complete markup toolset.
- 4. Use Drawing Tools: Select the 'Graffiti', 'Draw', or 'Highlight' tools to quickly sketch and add freehand annotations directly to your document pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can I draw on a PDF on my iPad but not on my desktop?
Tablet apps feature prominent touch-friendly drawing tools on the main screen, whereas desktop versions like Acrobat group these tools inside specific workspaces like the 'Comment' toolbar. You also might be using a basic browser plug-in on your desktop rather than the full application.
Are PDF annotation tools free to use in Acrobat Desktop?
Basic annotation tools like sticky notes and text highlights are available in the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. However, more advanced editing and shared markup features may require a paid Adobe Acrobat Pro or Standard subscription.
How do I save my freehand drawings on a shared PDF?
Once you have added your annotations, go to File > Save or press Ctrl+S. If you are working on a shared review file, click the 'Publish Comments' button in the Comment toolbar to sync your markups with other collaborators.
