How to Add Text Callouts in PDF for Free
Summary :
Learn how to use PDFgear and Acrobat Reader to add text call-out boxes into a PDF.
They offer similar PDF annotation features, but if you also need to edit the PDF, PDFgear is the choice.
Table of Contents
A text call-out box in PDF comes with an arrow or “tail” pointing to a specific part of the document.
Compared with a comment box (annotation), a call-out text appears right on the screen when the PDF is opened, without having to click on it.
How to Add Text Callout in PDF on Windows for Free
If you want to add text callouts to a PDF for free on a Windows PC or laptop, PDFgear is the best option.
Aside from a variety of practical PDF annotation features, PDFgear also allows you to change/replace PDF text, edit PDF images, and highlight text/areas, making it a better choice over Adobe Acrobat.
The best part? PDFgear is free to use, so don’t hesitate to get started!
Video Tutorial
With PDFgear, you can easily add callouts, comments, notes, text boxes, highlights, and more to PDFs. It’s free to use!
Step 1. Download and install PDFgear on your computer, open it, and click Open File to open the PDF you need.
Open File
Step 2. Once the PDF file is opened, go to the Comment section from the upper menubar, and click on the Note tool within.
Click on where you want to add the callout to insert the callout box, then you can type the needed text into the box.
Click Note
Step 3. You can either drag and hold the textbox or the tail (leader line) to reposition them accordingly.
It’s recommended to use the tail to point to the exact part of the content you’re explaining or highlighting, and the text box should not be too far from it.
Reposition Callout
Step 4. Text markups work great with call-out boxes. Click on Highlight, Underline, Strikethrough, or Area Highlight to markup a specific part of the PDF content for your text call-out.
Use Highlight with Callout
Step 5. Click on the Comments button from the left side to check and edit all your callouts.
Manage Callout Boxes
Step 6. To save the PDF with callouts, click on the Save as button from the upper-left corner.
The PDF will look exactly the same when you open it next time! The text call-out will be shown be default.
Click Save As
How to Add Text Callout in PDF on Mac for Free
PDFgear for Mac is a powerful and user-friendly tool perfect for adding text call-out boxes into PDF.
But that’s not all—PDFgear offers a full range of annotation tools. You can highlight text, underline, strikethrough, add shapes like circles and squares, and even freehand draw.
Step 1. Download and install PDFgear. Open PDFgear on Mac, and click the Open File button to open the PDF file.
Step 2. When the PDF is opened, click the Callout button in the Note toolbox and click on the PDF to add the text callout.
Type into the text box to add the information you need.
Add Callout
Step 3. For other people to better understand, drag and drop the tail to put it exactly on the part of the content that you need to refer to.
Reposition the Tail
Step 4. The text markup features like highlighting also help with emphasizing key information.
Go to the Markup toolbox and click on the highlight, underline, strikethrough, or ink tool. Then select the PDF text or draw on the PDF to apply the markup.
Highlight Text
Step 5. To check and edit all your text callouts and markups, click the Comments button from the left panel.
Manage Notes
Step 6. When you’re done working, click the File button and select Save As from the dropdown to save the PDF with text callouts.
Save the PDF
How to Add Callout Box in PDF Using Adobe Acrobat Reader
Adobe Acrobat also has a text callout feature that is similar to that of PDFgear.
Luckily, the PDF annotation and text callout features are available in the free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader, so you won’t need a pro subscription.
The following tutorial applies to the new Acrobat experience, if you find your software looks different, update it to the latest version.
Step 1. Get Adobe Acrobat Reader on your device, if you haven’t already. Open Acrobat Reader, go to Menu > Open to open the PDF file you need.
Open PDF
Step 2. On the left toolbar, click on the Draw freehand toolbox, and then select the Text callout tool within.
Add Text Callout
Step 3. With the Text callout tool selected, click once on the PDF to place the tail, and click again on the PDF to place the text box.
Then, type your information into the textbox.
Add Callout
Step 4. Click on the inserted callout box, and drag on its corners to resize/reposition it.
Add Text Callout
Step 5. When you’re ready, go to hamburger Menu > Save as as to save the PDF with callouts.
Save PDF with Callouts
FAQs
Can I add text callouts to PDF online without software?
No, you can’t. While PDFgear online PDF annotator allows you to add comments (sticky notes) to a PDF online without software installation, how the comment boxes work is not the same as callout boxes. You’ll have to click on the box for the text to show.
Can I add text callout boxes to a PDF with Adobe Acrobat for free?
Yes, text callout is a part of the free PDF annotation features in Adobe Acrobat Reader. You don’t need a Pro subscription to access it.
Are text call-out boxes searchable in PDFs?
No, the text in the call-out boxes is not searchable in PDF documents. In PDFgear software, go to the Comments Panel to review and edit all your call-out text boxes.
Can text call-out boxes be used in a form field?
Text call-out boxes are not form fields themselves, but you can use them to add additional information or instructions alongside form fields. For example, you can add a call-out box to explain how to fill out a particular section of the form.
Do text call-out boxes affect the layout of the PDF?
Text call-out boxes are typically floating annotations, meaning they don’t alter the underlying layout of the document. However, if the call-out box is large or placed improperly, it could obscure content, so it’s important to place it carefully.
