Many of us have the standard install of adobe reader and it does a great job at showing us the pdf that we want to read but it can do so much more. If you need to do a lot of adjustments in pdf form then maybe adobe pro is more your cup of tea but mostly I can do almost anything with Adobe Reader.

1.  You can add text.

Do you have a document or form that you need to add a name to or another section of text. Use the comment function (on the right of the page) and a bar of tools will appear. Use the capital T as shown below to insert text anywhere in your document. You can also move it once you have added it if you like.

2. You can highlight text. 

Using the comment function you can highlight text with the highlighter pen. To change the colour of your highlighting, right click and select properties a pop up will appear and click on the colour box to change.

3. You can insert pictures. 

I find this function useful when I need to add signatures to pdf’s. Copy the image that you want inserted to your clipboard (ctrl+c). Select the comment function and then click on the stamp. Select paste clipboard image. Once added you can resize and move the image into position.

4. You can hide text you don’t want.

Unlike Adobe Pro you cannot delete text in a pdf using adobe reader. The work around that I found was to paste shapes over text that I didn’t want to be visible. Using the comment function select the shape tool and then drag the shape over the part you wish to hide. This shape will have no fill (colour). To fill the shape right click and select properties, here you will be able to select a fill colour and change the outline colour as well.

5. You can attach a file or audio. 

I use this function to give video feedback to students that have submitted scanned versions of their assessment. Using the comment function select the paper clip. If you have a video or any file ready you can insert using the first option alternatively if you wished to record audio you can use the second option to do this.

6. Add ticks and crosses. 

Using the fill form function you can add ticks and crosses to work or use these to fill in a form digitally. Once you select fill form from the right below comment you will get a bar of tools that would assist you if you were filling in a form. Simply select the tick or cross and place where you need it in the document. Once added it can be moved.

7. You can sign a document. 

Using the fill form function you can sign your document digitally. Simply select the sign function and either type your name and select the font or sign with a mouse or touch screen.

8. Redact information. 

Using the comment function and the highlight tool you can redact information. Simply change the highlight colour to block and resave as a pdf so that the highlighting cannot be undone.

9. Word can convert a pdf. 

I know this isnt a function of adobe reader, however if you need to convert a pdf to word the newest version will do it for you. Simply open a pdf in word and it will convert it to an editable document.

How do you use Adobe Reader? Please share on our facebook page or in the comments below.