How to Edit Signed PDF with Easy Steps [2024 Updated]

In today's heavily digitalized world, organizations keep most of their documents in digital formats like PDFs. For authorizing specific papers, those in charge of companies must add their signatures to the forms. In the digital format, it is now possible to add signature to PDF.

However, editing signed PDF files requires many steps that can get complicated to understand for total beginners. In this article, we tackle that.

Why Do Users Need to Edit Signed PDFs?

PDFs are often used to keep important professional documents from companies, publications, and professionals from different sectors. However, making editing steps on PDF files can get difficult, but it is necessary for companies. Common situations that require editing are as follows.

• For fixing errors- If there is a wrong signature on the form that needs fixing or a typing error, editing is necessary.
• Adding comments- In some cases, the document owner needs to comment on a PDF to introduce small but important additional information to the readers. This requires editing.
• Inserting important notes- Companies need to add comments to signed PDF files that are important for the receiving party to reference, like payment invoices or legal details.

Check also: Electronic Signature vs Digital Signature

Four Methods to Edit Signed PDF

There are specific methods users can try out to edit signed PDF files accurately and without errors. Here are four of the best solutions, explained in detail.

1. Solution 1: Edit Signed PDF with EaseUS PDF Editor
2. Solution 2: Edit Signed PDF with Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
3. Solution 3: Edit Signed PDF with Calibre
4. Solution 4: Edit Signed PDF with Preview

Solution 1: Edit Signed PDF with EaseUS PDF Editor

EaseUS PDF Editor is entirely dedicated to various levels of PDF-based editing work. Users can add signatures and comments and remove them easily without affecting any original content. Other features like cropping the PDF file and adding/removing signatures/watermarks/links from the documents are also available.

Features:

• It is possible to edit a scanned PDF
• Remove text, links, and images from PDF files
• Adjust PDF size and other steps, like extracting images, deleting parts, etc.
• Markup a PDF and edit multiple sections on the signed PDF files

Benefits:

• Convert PDF to Word or other formats, or vice versa
• Multiple file types are supported
• No changes to the formatting or original content after editing

How to use this method?

Step 1. Launch EaseUS PDF Editor and click "Tools". Then, choose "Signature". Import your PDF file form your computer. If the file is locked, you need to enter the password to unlock it first.

Step 2. In the next window, you will see a tool bar containing "Digital signatures", "Handwriting signature", "Manage signatures", etc. Choose the one you need.

Step 3. After editing, you can click "File" > "Save as" to save the PDF file to your computer.

After you finish these steps, you can edit your PDF files according to your demands.

Solution 2: Edit Signed PDF with Adobe Acrobat Pro DC

Adobe Acrobat Pro DC is one of the most widely used software options for PDF creation and management. As the primary PDF owner, you can add multiple signatures to PDF and remove them at any time during the editing process. However, this platform has PDF removal restrictions for signatures when there are multiple users.

Features:

• Primary users, i.e., the main document initiator, can remove signature from PDF
• You can lock the document after the signing process
• Set the recipients that can add signatures
• Request the primary document owner to share the copy directly

Benefits:

• Multiple users can add signatures if it's not locked
• Saves the edited file as another document
• Professional-level editing quality

How to use this method?

Step 1. Open the file in the Adobe Acrobat software on the device.

Step 2. Go to "Tools > Edit PDF". Then, choose the Edit option. The text section will appear in text boxes where you can make changes. 

Step 3. Choose the text portion you will edit. The text box will turn blue with the rotation handle above.

Step 4. Type to add new text. Press the "Delete" button to remove it.

Step 5. Access the "Format panel" on the right side to adjust listed items like numbered or bulleted points. Convert the paragraph text to lists or vice versa, add more list items, etc.

Step 6. Also, through the Format panel, make font changes, like character spacing, font size, stroke width, horizontal scaling, and color.

Solution 3: Edit Signed PDF with Calibre

Calibre performs as a suitable ebook management software with a wide range of features for different digitally formatted document files. Users can convert PDF files to other formats and make simple edits.

Features:

• Build-in editor available for CSS/image/HTML-based editing only
• Search files by name or tag for indexed files
• Edit or create custom columns for ebooks
• Add notes or quotes to PDF files

Benefits:

• Supports multiple formats
• Works on different devices
• Easy to convert files

How to use this method?

Step 1. Open a signed PDF file in Calibre for editing from the File Browser. Hover the cursor over the indexed files to know their information, like file size.

Step 2.  Find the file and right-click on it from "File Browser index > Edit".

Step 3. Make edits like adding cover via Mark as cover, breaking pages into chapters, and editing the metadata.

Step 4. After completing the edits, right-click on the file and press "Export".

Solution 4: Edit Signed PDF with Preview

The Preview app is available to macOS X users and is useful for different types of PDF editing work. It is simple to add the signed PDF file to the editor and expect high-quality changes with the software. Overall, it is possible to do basic-level editing functions like text adding/removal, signature editing, and more.

Features:

• Delete or add text
• Combine multiple files or pages in the file
• Add fill-in forms
• Add and PDF remove signature features for editing documents

Benefits:

• Make changes to the font to add text
• Open files with the default app on Mac
• It is possible to edit image-formatted files

How to use this method?

Step 1. Double-click on the PDF file in the folder with the saved ebooks to access it in the Preview app.

Alternatively, to edit signed PDF files with Preview, right-click on the "file > Open With > Preview (default)". 

Step 2. The Toolbar will appear at the top of the screen. Press the "Edit" button to get the editing tools.

Step 3. Press "Selection to hold a text section". Add lines, shapes, and text. Tap other buttons to change text color and size.

Step 4. To add new comments, click on "Tools > Annotate". Similarly, to insert an e-signature, go to "Tools > Annotate > Signature". Then, choose your option.

Conclusion

Overall, editing signed PDF files can get complicated, but the tools available ease the process. Each has useful qualities, like the EaseUS PDF Editor, which includes various PDF editing features. It is simple for advanced and beginner-level users alike, handles the process fast, and assures multiple edits.

Try them out for yourself to choose the best solution for your needs.  

Edit Signed PDF FAQs

1. How Do I Add Text to a Digitally Signed PDF?

You can use third-party software like EaseUS PDF Editor to add new text to a signed PDF file. Open the file in the software and press the Edit option for this.

2. Why Can't I Redact a Signed PDF?

It is difficult to redact and edit signed PDF files since there is a default randomized password that encrypts it into the file. The document encryption feature has back-end settings that are harder to change without strong technical knowledge.

3. Is a Signed PDF Legally Binding?

Yes, signed PDFs are legally binding in various regions globally that authorize electronic signatures as having legal efficacy. For example, all states of the United States of America consider e-signatures valid. Many other industrialized nations also consider it legally viable. Check specific national regulations to verify.