Highlight Text In PDFs Online For Free

Drop document here to upload
Select from device
Up to 100 MB for PDF and up to 25 MB for DOC, DOCX, RTF, PPT, PPTX, JPEG, PNG, JFIF, XLS, XLSX or TXT
Based on 12500+ reviews
Last updated on Jan 19, 2026

How to highlight text in PDFs online with pdfFiller

Highlighting text in PDFs online is a straightforward process that helps in emphasizing important information for better understanding and collaboration. Using pdfFiller, you can quickly highlight text, annotate documents, and improve your workflow significantly.

What is highlighting text in PDFs?

Highlighting text in PDFs involves marking specific sections of a document with a colored overlay to draw attention to the selected text. This feature is essential for annotating important information, making it easier for users to find and reference key details within documents.

Importance of highlighting text in document workflows

The effective use of highlighted text enhances document collaboration by allowing users to emphasize important points, facilitate discussions, and streamline feedback. Highlighting allows for better communication among team members, reducing the chances of misinterpretation and improving overall productivity.

Highlighting text features available in pdfFiller

  1. 1.
    Multiple color options for highlighting
  2. 2.
    Ability to combine highlights with comments
  3. 3.
    Simplified collaboration tools for feedback
  4. 4.
    Standalone annotations that do not alter original content

pdfFiller provides a seamless experience for highlighting text, ensuring users can annotate their PDFs without complications while managing a cohesive workflow.

Supported formats for PDF highlighting

While highlighting is primarily a feature associated with PDFs, pdfFiller supports a range of file formats where highlighting can be beneficial, including DOCX, TXT, and more, allowing a versatile approach to document management. Users can convert supported formats to PDF for easy highlighting and further editing before sharing their annotated documents.

How does highlighting text work in different browsers?

pdfFiller's capability to highlight text in PDFs is browser-agnostic, meaning that it works seamlessly across popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. Users should ensure that their browser is updated to the latest version for optimal performance. The user interface remains consistent regardless of the browser, enabling easy access to highlighting tools.

Managing highlights through pdfFiller's capabilities

pdfFiller allows users to manage their highlights easily. Users can edit or remove highlights as necessary, making document review straightforward. Additionally, the platform also offers filters for viewing highlighted text, enabling quick access to key points and improving document navigation.

Step-by-step instructions to highlight text using pdfFiller

  1. 1.
    Upload your PDF document to pdfFiller.
  2. 2.
    Select the "Highlight" tool from the toolbar.
  3. 3.
    Choose your preferred color for highlighting.
  4. 4.
    Click and drag over the text to highlight the desired section.
  5. 5.
    Save or download the annotated PDF when finished.

This straightforward approach makes the process intuitive, ensuring users can focus on their content rather than the complexities of software.

Advantages of using pdfFiller to highlight text

  1. 1.
    Easy-to-use interface that simplifies document editing
  2. 2.
    Cloud storage for secure access to documents from anywhere
  3. 3.
    Collaboration tools allowing team feedback on highlighted sections
  4. 4.
    Integration capabilities with other tools enhancing workflow efficiency

By leveraging pdfFiller, users gain a robust platform for editing and managing PDFs, making it ideal for teams and individuals alike.

Real-world applications and sectors benefiting from highlighting text

Professional environments such as legal, education, marketing, and project management often require document markup to emphasize critical information. Highlighting text in PDFs is particularly useful in these sectors for drafting contracts, reviewing academic papers, and creating promotional materials, allowing teams to collaborate effectively and streamline their processes.

Comparing pdfFiller with alternatives for highlighting text

When evaluating pdfFiller against other PDF editing tools, key considerations include ease of use, accessibility features, and collaboration capabilities. While some platforms may offer highlighting features, pdfFiller distinguishes itself through its extensive integration options and user-friendly interface, making it preferable for teams collaborating on complex document workflows.

Conclusion

Highlighting text in PDFs online with pdfFiller is an essential feature that aids in better document collaboration and streamlines workflows. With its intuitive interface, robust features, and cloud-based accessibility, pdfFiller empowers users to annotate their documents effortlessly, enhancing their productivity and efficiency in various professional settings.

Try these PDF tools

Edit PDF
Quickly edit and annotate PDFs online.
Sign
eSign documents from anywhere.
Request signatures
Send a document for eSignature.
Share
Instantly send PDFs for review and editing.
Merge
Combine multiple PDFs into one.
Rearrange
Rearrange pages in a PDF document.
Compress
Compress PDFs to reduce their size.
Convert
Convert PDFs into Word, Excel, JPG, or PPT files and vice versa.

Online PDF annotation: Highlight, redact, draw, and comment

Annotate and edit

Go beyond editing and add context to your changes. After fixing a typo or updating a section, drop a comment or highlight the area to pinpoint and explain edits.
Screen

Guide every signature

Use annotation tools to highlight important sections, redact sensitive details, or add comments to clarify contract clauses before you send the document for signing.
Screen

Team feedback, simplified

Stop juggling feedback across endless email chains. Share your document and let everyone add their highlights, comments, and suggestions directly on the PDF.
Screen

All your notes in one place

Never lose track of important feedback. All annotations are saved with your documents in your secure cloud storage, keeping your projects organized and accessible.
Screen

How to annotate a PDF?

Illustration

1. Upload

Upload your document to pdfFiller and open it in the editor.
Illustration

2. Annotate

Use annotation tools at the top to highlight, redact, draw, add markings, and leave comments.
Illustration

3. Save and export

Apply your changes and choose how to export your document: download, send to cloud storage, save in your account, share, and more.
Upload your document

Who uses this tool?

Learn how professionals use pdfFiller to review documents and exchange feedback.
Business Owners
Sales
Real Estate
Construction
Healthcare
Insurance
Legal
Business Owners

Business Owners

Review business plans or financial reports and add notes directly on the document for your team. Highlight key performance indicators and comment on specific sections to provide clear feedback without altering the original file.
  • Financial reports
  • Business plans
  • Marketing mockups
  • Strategic roadmaps
Sales

Sales

Collaborate on proposals and contracts before they are sent to clients. Highlight key terms for internal review or add notes to a presentation to prepare your team for a big meeting.
  • Sales proposals
  • Draft contracts
  • Presentation slides
  • Competitor analysis reports
Real Estate

Real Estate

Simplify communication with clients and partners. Highlight critical clauses in purchase agreements or point out concerns on inspection reports to ensure everyone is on the same page.
  • Inspection reports
  • Purchase agreements
  • Floor plans
  • Property disclosure forms
Construction

Construction

Streamline project reviews by allowing architects, contractors, and clients to mark up plans. Draw arrows to indicate changes on blueprints, comment on change orders, or flag issues on safety reports to keep projects on track.
  • Blueprints and architectural plans
  • Project bids
  • Change orders
  • Safety reports
Healthcare

Healthcare

Collaborate with colleagues to enhance patient care or medical research. Highlight key findings in lab reports or add notes to a medical research paper without compromising the original document’s integrity.
  • Patient charts
  • Lab results
  • Peer review documents
  • Medical research papers
Insurance

Insurance

Expedite claims and underwriting by quickly annotating case documents. A claims adjuster can circle damage on a photo, and an underwriter can highlight missing information on an application, ensuring an efficient review process.
  • Claim forms with photos
  • Witness statements
  • Policy applications
  • Investigation reports

Why trust pdfFiller to annotate your documents?

GDPR
AICPA SOC 2
PCI
HIPAA
CCPA

All-in-one solution

Handle all your document tasks in one place. Create and edit PDFs, collect data and signatures, collaborate, and manage files securely in the cloud.

Cloud-native accessibility

pdfFiller is entirely cloud-based and cross-platform, allowing you to access your documents anytime and anywhere, without installing any software or storing files on multiple devices.

Your documents—secured

pdfFiller prioritizes data protection and regulatory compliance through security measures like data encryption and signer authentication.

Annotate PDFs with a trusted, all-in-one solution

Try pdfFiller for all your document management needs.
Upload document

pdfFiller scores top ratings on review platforms

Users Most Likely To Recommend - Summer 2025
Grid Leader in Small-Business - Summer 2025
High Performer - Summer 2025
Regional Leader - Summer 2025
We had a misunderstanding of the duration of the service. PDF was very gracious in correcting the mistake. I will not hesitate to use their services again. I highly reccmend this company for anyone.
Jerry G
Anytime a client uses this, I sigh a relief Excellent for contracts and any paperwork. PDFfiller is super easy to use and takes the headache out of mundane paperwork filling. Kudos! I dislike that more people do not use it, if you aren't using this, what are you doing?
Verified Reviewer
PDF Filler This is a very useful program to me in my work. I can easily send documents to be filled in by customers, easy to use and easy to navigate. I do not have any cons with this program, if you are not utilizing this you should be. It is highly useful and functional
Rebecca B.
Highly will recommend to others. Easy to use, and I just enjoy the fact that I can edit the text box to where I want to put it and being able to change the size of the box. There are ,of course, more features, but this is feature by far has been the one I been using the most.
David L
Really easy to use site is very easy to navigate through and honestly it has all the tools I need, would reccomend, but I do feel it should be a little cheaper than $20 a month!
Elisa Fox
Thank you so much for the super prompt reply! I had somehow removed the date stamp from my digital signature and I could not figure out how to get it back on. Turns out it was a pretty simple fix (doh!). Kara responded super fast to my cry for help. She provided written instructions as well as a screenshot (very helpful!). My date stamp is back on. :)
Laura Jestings
Just happy I can put the forms I need… Just happy I can put the forms I need in one place and continue to use them without having to redo them every time.
imhe
Impressive customer service I needed pdfFiller for one time use so subscribed and immediately cancelled my subscription when I had finished. A month later I was charged $96. I got in contact with their customer support team via the online live chat and within 2 minutes of contacting them the money was back in my paypal balance, no questions asked. Much easier than expected
Eva
So much better than acrobat This is really good tech and works much better than acrobat! I was shocked that people were leaving negative reviews - then found out they all complain that you have to sign up after editing your document - SO WHAT you cannot expect amazing tech for free. I don’t get why people complain. Tech is amazing customer service is second to none.
Ali
Show more Show less

Watch our PDF editor in action

Check out this video tutorial to learn how to edit and annotate PDFs using pdfFiller’s drag-and-drop editor.

FAQs

If you can't find what you're looking for, please contact us anytime!
To highlight text in PDFs using pdfFiller, simply open your document, select the 'Highlight' tool from the toolbar, and drag your cursor over the text you want to emphasize. Once highlighted, you can save the changes directly in the cloud. This feature not only simplifies your workflow but ensures that important information is easily accessible. Additionally, you can share your highlighted document with team members instantly, streamlining collaboration.
pdfFiller offers a user-friendly interface and cross-platform compatibility for highlighting text in PDFs, making it accessible from any device. Unlike other tools that limit functionalities without extensive tutorials, pdfFiller provides straightforward features that enhance productivity. Moreover, you can securely save and share highlighted PDFs, ensuring document security and compliance for remote teams or legal contexts.
Yes, pdfFiller allows users to highlight text in scanned PDFs by utilizing its Optical Character Recognition (OCR) capabilities. Once you upload a scanned document, pdfFiller converts it to an editable format, enabling you to highlight text seamlessly. This feature is valuable for legal teams needing to review printed contracts or remote professionals managing important documents digitally. Remember to double-check the OCR recognition for accuracy before highlighting.
pdfFiller prioritizes security with end-to-end encryption for documents, including those you highlight. When highlighting text in PDFs, your data remains protected on the cloud, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with various regulatory standards. It's essential to utilize strong passwords and regularly update security settings for your account to maintain document integrity, especially for sensitive legal documents or client files.
Yes, you can easily remove highlights from PDFs in pdfFiller by selecting the highlighted area and choosing the 'Remove Highlight' option. This feature allows you to edit documents fluidly, ensuring that only relevant information remains emphasized. This could be particularly useful for legal teams when revising drafts or for remote professionals who need to maintain updated and clear documentation.
While pdfFiller does not currently support batch highlighting directly, you can quickly navigate through multiple PDFs and highlight text in each document one at a time. The streamlined process minimizes time spent on manual tasks, which is crucial for SMEs managing bulk documents. Using the 'Document Automation' features alongside can also enhance your workflow efficiency.

Annotate PDFs with a trusted, all-in-one solution

Try pdfFiller for all your document management needs.
Upload document