How to Annotate PDFs in Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge includes a built-in PDF reader that lets you add highlights, notes, drawings, and more without installing any extra software. This guide shows you how to use the annotation tools, save your work, and fix common issues.

What You’ll Need

• A PDF file saved on your computer or accessible via a web link.
• Microsoft Edge (the current version, updated automatically via Windows Update or the browser’s settings).
• A mouse or touchscreen; a stylus is optional but helpful for drawing.

Step-by-Step

1. Open the PDF in Edge: Right-click the PDF file in File Explorer and choose Open with > Microsoft Edge. Alternatively, open Edge, press Ctrl+O, and select the file. If the PDF is online, just click the link – it will open in the browser’s built-in viewer.
2. Locate the toolbar: Once the PDF loads, you’ll see a toolbar at the top of the page. It includes options like Add notes, Draw, Erase, and Highlight. If you don’t see it, click the Settings and more (three dots) icon in the top-right corner and select Show toolbar.
3. Highlight text: Click the Highlight button (a marker icon) in the toolbar. Then drag your cursor over the text you want to highlight. The default color is yellow, but you can change it by clicking the small arrow next to the highlight icon and picking a different color.
4. Add a note: Click the Add notes button (a note icon) in the toolbar. Then click anywhere on the page where you want to place a note. A small note icon appears; click it to open a text box where you can type your comment. Click outside the box to close it.
5. Draw or write freehand: Click the Draw button (a pen icon). Choose a pen color and thickness from the options that appear. Then drag your mouse or stylus across the page to draw or write. To erase, click the Erase button and click on the strokes you want to remove.
6. Add a text box (optional): If you want to type text anywhere on the page (not tied to a note icon), look for a Add text button in the toolbar (it may be under the More menu). Click it, then click on the page and start typing.
7. Save your annotations: Your annotations are saved automatically as you make them, but only if you’re viewing the PDF in Edge. When you close the tab, Edge will ask if you want to keep changes – click Save. If you want to keep a separate copy, click the Save as icon (a floppy disk) in the toolbar and choose a location.

Common Mistakes

• Not saving before closing: If you close the tab without clicking Save when prompted, your annotations may be lost. Always wait for the prompt and confirm.
• Using the wrong tool: The Add notes tool creates a note icon, not a text box. If you want to type directly on the page, use the Add text tool (if available).
• Highlighting with the pen: The draw tool is not for highlighting – it creates opaque strokes. Use the dedicated highlight tool for text.
• Forgetting to change the color: The default highlight is yellow. If you need another color, change it before you start, or you’ll have to erase and redo.

Tips

• Use keyboard shortcuts: Press Ctrl+Shift+H to toggle the highlight tool, Ctrl+Shift+N for notes, and Ctrl+Shift+D for drawing.
• Zoom in for precision: When drawing or highlighting, zoom in (using Ctrl and the mouse wheel) to make precise selections.
• Change the pen thickness: The draw tool lets you choose between thin, medium, and thick lines. Use a thicker line for emphasis, a thinner one for details.
• Use the eraser selectively: The eraser removes entire strokes, not just parts. If you need to remove a small section, you may have to erase the whole stroke and redraw.
• Sync across devices: If you’re signed into Edge with the same Microsoft account, your annotations will sync to other devices where you open the same PDF.

Troubleshooting

• Toolbar is missing: If you don’t see the annotation toolbar, the PDF might be opened in a different viewer (like Adobe Reader). Make sure Edge is the active viewer by right-clicking the file and choosing Open with > Microsoft Edge.
• Annotations not saving: If you close the tab and your changes vanish, try saving a copy manually: click the Save as icon and choose a new filename. This creates a permanent copy with your annotations.
• Highlight tool doesn’t work: Sometimes the highlight tool only works on selectable text. If the PDF is a scanned image (no text layer), you’ll need to use the draw tool instead, or use a dedicated OCR tool first.
• Edge freezes or crashes: Close other tabs and try again. If the issue persists, clear the browser cache (Settings > Privacy > Clear browsing data) or restart Edge.
• Can’t find the Add text tool: The text box feature may not be available in all versions of Edge. If you don’t see it, use the Add notes tool to attach comments instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I annotate PDFs in Edge on a Mac? Yes, Edge is available for macOS and includes the same annotation features.
2. Will my annotations be visible to others if I share the PDF? Yes, annotations are saved directly into the PDF file, so anyone who opens it will see them (unless they turn off annotations in their viewer).
3. Can I remove annotations later? Yes, you can use the eraser tool to remove drawings, or right-click a note or highlight and select Delete.
4. Does Edge support highlighting with a pen or touch? Yes, if you have a touchscreen or stylus, you can use the draw tool to highlight, but the dedicated highlight tool works best with text.
5. Are there limits to the number of annotations? No, there is no practical limit. However, extremely large files with many annotations may slow down the viewer.
6. Can I print the PDF with annotations? Yes, when you print from Edge, annotations are included by default. You can also choose to hide them in the print dialog if needed.

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