What is PDF annotation?
PDF annotation adds another layer of communication on top of an existing document. Instead of changing the original text, you can highlight passages, sketch ideas, leave review notes, underline key facts, or place comments for collaborators.
ToolsMatic keeps that workflow private. The file stays in your browser while you review it page by page, organize the annotation list, adjust styling, and export the final marked-up version only when you are done.
How to annotate a PDF on ToolsMatic
- Upload the document: Drop the PDF into the upload area or choose it from your device.
- Pick a tool: Use highlight, underline, strike, draw, text, note, or shapes.
- Adjust style: Change color, opacity, width, shape settings, font size, or note icon.
- Export or print: Download the annotated PDF, save the JSON report, or print with annotations included.
Annotation types included
Markup tools
Highlight, underline, and strikethrough are ideal for reviewing text. On desktop you can select visible text directly from the PDF text layer, while touch devices can still create these annotations using a drag box.
Drawing and shapes
Freehand drawing is useful for signatures, rough diagrams, or quick notes. Shapes let you add rectangles, circles, and arrows with custom stroke and optional fill styles.
Comments and notes
Text comments provide editable inline notes with font controls, while sticky notes let you place small markers that expand to show content. Both can be moved and exported with the PDF.
ToolsMatic vs other PDF annotation tools
| Feature | ToolsMatic | Adobe Acrobat | Smallpdf | PDFescape |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free to use | Yes | No | Limited | Limited |
| No upload required | Yes | No | No | No |
| Highlight, draw, text, notes, shapes | Yes | Yes | Partial | Partial |
| Annotation list and page groups | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| JSON annotation report | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Frequently asked questions
Highlight, underline, strikethrough, freehand draw, text comments, sticky notes, and rectangle, circle, or arrow shapes are all supported in this tool.
Yes. Select the annotation on the page or from the sidebar, then edit its settings from the properties panel or remove it from the list.
Yes. Use page buttons, page thumbnails, and the grouped sidebar to manage annotations across the entire document.
No. All PDF rendering and export work is handled locally inside your browser using PDF.js and pdf-lib.