PDF Editing Issues

Where Is the Replace Text Tool in Adobe Acrobat DC?

Steven Parker Oct 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to locate the Replace Text annotation button which has disappeared from the Comment toolbar after a software update.

How to Find the Replace Text Tool in Adobe Acrobat DC

Product: Adobe Acrobat DC
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Reviewing or annotating a PDF document and needing to mark specific text for replacement.
Observed behavior: The Replace Text annotation tool is missing from its standard prominent location within the Comment toolbar.

Before you start

Ensure your Adobe Acrobat DC is updated to at least version 15.017.20050, as Adobe restored the tool to the Commenting toolbar in this release.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Right-Click Context Menu

This is the fastest workaround to access the replacement-text annotation without navigating through missing toolbar icons.

Even if the icon has been removed from the main Comment toolbar due to interface changes, the underlying functionality remains fully intact within the document's context menu.

Select the Target Text

Open your PDF in Adobe Acrobat DC and use your cursor to highlight the specific text you want to replace.

Open the Context Menu

Right-click on the highlighted text to trigger the dropdown menu.

Choose Add Note to Replace Text

Click on 'Add Note to Replace Text' from the available options. A strike-through line will appear over the text, and a pop-up note box will open for you to type the replacement text.

Solution 2

Update Adobe Acrobat DC

Updating the software will restore the missing tool to its original place in the Commenting toolbar.

Directly Edit and Replace Text with WPS Office

Instead of just adding annotation notes to suggest text replacements, WPS Office allows you to directly edit and replace the actual text within the PDF file as easily as editing a Word document.

1. Open the PDF File: Launch WPS Office and open your target PDF document.
2. Access Edit Mode: Navigate to the 'Edit' tab located on the top navigation ribbon.
3. Click Edit Text: Click on the 'Edit Text' button to make the document's text blocks selectable.
4. Replace the Text: Click directly into the text block, highlight the words you wish to change, and type your new content.
5. Save Your Changes: Press Ctrl + S or click the Save icon to apply and retain your permanent text replacements.

Directly edit, delete, and replace PDF text without leaving markup notesFully compatible with standard Adobe PDF document formatsLightweight, fast-loading, and user-friendly interfaceIncludes comprehensive tools for merging, converting, and signing PDFs

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the Replace Text tool disappear from my Acrobat toolbar?

Adobe frequently updates its user interface to streamline menus. In an older update, the 'Replace Text' button was removed from the default Comment toolbar layout. Due to user feedback, it was restored in version 15.017.20050.

Does the Replace Text annotation actually change the original PDF text?

No. The 'Add Note to Replace Text' tool only creates a markup (a strikethrough with an associated comment box) suggesting a change. It is designed for reviewing and proofreading. To actually change the text permanently, you need to use an 'Edit PDF' feature.

How can I permanently replace text in a PDF instead of adding a note?

To permanently replace text, you need a PDF editor rather than an annotator. In Adobe Acrobat, you can use the 'Edit PDF' tool. Alternatively, you can open the document in WPS Office, select the 'Edit' tab, click 'Edit Text', and directly type your new text into the document.

PDF Troubleshooting