The best way to edit a PDF in Google Drive

Back in the 90s, when 3½-inch floppy disks were cutting-edge technology, the thought of signing PDFs digitally – let alone editing them – was something out of science fiction. Now, cloud storage platforms like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive are household names. 

We can send and edit documents in seconds thanks to this technology: we edit news articles, make financial plans, and design entire websites all in the cloud. Docx, xlsx, jpeg – no file is untouchable. You can edit PDFs, too. 

And you don’t even need to download new software. All you need is good ol’ Google. 

How to edit a PDF in Google Drive

With many of us working remotely, Google’s suite of cloud-based applications makes collaboration with colleagues quick and easy. Any document can be shared between multiple people instantly, with real-time syncing so that any comments and edits can be viewed and addressed as soon as they come up.

With many of us working remotely, Google’s suite of cloud-based applications has become a go-to tool. But it’s not all word processing and spreadsheets; if you look a little deeper, you’ll see Google Drive comes with some very handy extensions. Among these are Google’s partnered PDF editors.

If you’re looking to edit a PDF in Google Docs, here’s how:

• Go to Google Drive, and under ‘My Drive’, you’ll find a ‘File Upload’ button. Click this to upload your PDF to Google Drive.

• Once your file has been uploaded to Google Drive, click on the file, and you'll see an ‘Open with’ option. Select ‘Google Docs’ to open the PDF as an editable file.

• Once you’ve made the changes you’d like, either send the file on as a Google Doc link or save it to your computer as a PDF.

• After saving the changed document as a PDF, you can send it via email or re-upload your new PDF to Google Drive so you can access it from any device.

Easy, right?

Can I edit a PDF without losing formatting in Google Docs?

When you convert a PDF into a Google Docs file, the order of the text, font styles, and images in your document could vary due to the differences between the two formats. Additionally, the initial spacing, indentations, and paragraph formatting may also change.

Because the PDF and Google Doc formats differ, your PDF file loses its formatting when you convert it to a Google Doc. Any file you import or convert in a program other than the one you originally used to produce it can only import the features and codes that the application supports. 

How to edit more complex PDFs

Editing a PDF inside Google Drive works best for simpler documents. If your PDF is a little more complicated – for example, if it has graphics and tables – you might notice the formatting changes. This happens for one of two reasons: either the formatting isn’t supported by Google Docs, or it renders differently due to how Google Docs reads PDF elements. 

If you have a PDF document with basic text and very little visual formatting, then uploading the PDF to Google Docs, editing the text, and converting back to PDF for delivery may not cause any problems.

If you have a more complex PDF, you might have to level up how you edit. Google has you covered there, too. While every cloud storage service offers a free PDF viewer, Google Drive goes a step further by partnering with third-party apps. Lumin is one of these free PDF editors.

It’s pretty straightforward to edit your document in Lumin. Just open the PDF in Google Drive, and select Lumin from the ‘Open with’ drop-down list.

You may need to connect the app to your Google Drive first. Here’s a guide on how to edit PDFs with Lumin using Google Drive.

Some quick and easy ways to edit a PDF

Annotation and images

Add text and images, or erase existing text and images. When you upload your PDF to Lumin, you can turn on auto-sync so changes are saved in Google Drive.

Highlighting
Draw attention to important parts of your document by highlighting them.

Templates
Formatting isn't easy for everyone. Make your PDFs look professional by taking a pre-existing PDF template and using basic tools to tweak it.

Electronic signatures
Create your own signature or select from a ready-made one so that you can sign your documents quickly, without wasting resources on printing. Learn more about the difference between eSignatures and digital ones.

Draw
For more visual folk, it’s easier to express their thoughts through drawings and mark-ups.

Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
Optical Character Recognition is a technology that makes it easier to convert printed and handwritten text into digital formats. Once you’ve used OCR to digitize your documents, you can start editing!

If you prefer storing your files in Dropbox, don’t worry, you can still edit PDFs!

You can use Lumin with Google Drive and Dropbox to edit PDFs for free. For a more advanced suite of tools to edit those truly complicated PDFs, check out a free trial of our Pro plan.

Frequently asked questions 

Is there a way to edit PDFs in Google Drive?
Yes, there are several ways to edit PDFs in Google Drive. While Google Drive itself doesn’t have built-in PDF editing capabilities, you can use integrated third-party tools like Lumin PDF, which connect seamlessly with Google Drive. Alternatively, you can convert PDFs to Google Docs for basic text editing, though this may affect formatting.

Is there a free PDF editor for Google?
Google doesn’t offer a native free PDF editor, but free options are available. You can convert PDFs to Google Docs for basic text editing, though this comes with limitations. For more advanced editing features while preserving PDF formatting, Lumin PDF offers a free trial and integrates directly with Google Drive.

What is the best way to edit a PDF?
The best method depends on your needs:

• Simple text changes: You can convert your PDF to Google Docs for basic edits, but the formatting may shift. Lumin lets you edit the text directly on the PDF while keeping the layout intact, making it a more reliable option.
• Maintaining formatting and advanced features: Use dedicated PDF editors like Lumin PDF.
• Form filling: Most PDF-like Lumin PDF viewers support basic form-filling.
• Extensive editing: Professional PDF software provides the most comprehensive tools.

How do I turn a PDF into an editable document?
You can make a PDF editable using several methods:

• Open it with Google Docs for basic text editing.
• Use OCR (Optical Character Recognition) for scanned documents.
• Import it into a PDF editor that preserves formatting.
• Convert PDF to Word or other editable formats.
• Use online conversion tools for quick transformations.

What PDF editor syncs with Google Drive?
Several PDF editors sync seamlessly with Google Drive:

• Lumin PDF offers direct integration and automatic syncing.
• Various apps in the Google Workspace Marketplace.
• Cloud-based PDF editors with Google Drive connectivity.
• Tools that support OAuth integration with Google.
• Editors that allow saving directly back to Google Drive.

See also:

• How to edit a PDF on a Mac
• Your complete guide to editing PDFs
• How to edit PDFs with AI: Work smarter, not harder