How to Use AcePDF to Edit and Convert PDF
Part 1. What Is AcePDF?
AcePDF is a powerful PDF editor that enables you to easily edit text and images, convert PDF files to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, TXT, and image formats, and annotate with highlights, comments, and shapes. You can also handle pages, design fillable forms, e-sign or hand-sign documents, run OCR on scanned documents, use passwords or watermarks to protect files, and compress files effectively.
Part 2. Getting Started
1 Download & Install
Step 1: Visit the AcePDF official website
Visit the official AceThinker site. If you are on the homepage, the product AcePDF will be displayed on the homepage. Once on the AcePDF page, go to the Windows or Mac button and select "Free download ".
Step 2: Download and Run the Installer
After clicking the "Free Download" button, the installer file will begin to download automatically. Once this is downloaded, locate the file in your downloads folder or browser download bar. Then, double-click the file to open the installation wizard and grant the necessary permissions when requested by your system.
Step 3: Complete the Installation Process
The installation wizard will then guide you through the process step by step. Install, and you are good to go. Then, you are offered the option to launch AcePDF if it is available. Now, you will find an AcePDF shortcut on your desktop. You can open the application by clicking the shortcut twice.
2 Activate Your License
Step 1: Launch AcePDF and Access the Activation Window
To begin using AcePDF, click the desktop icon or open it in your Start menu. Once the program is open, you will see the menu icon “Activate” option on tap. It will raise the activation window where you will enter your license code, unlocking the full version.
Step 2: Enter Your License Key
Find the license key that arrived in your mailbox after purchasing AcePDF--copy it as it is. The activation window requires Ctrl + V or Cmd + V to copy the license key into the required field. It must then be re-verified for any extra spaces or characters, after which the "OK" button should be clicked.
Step 3: Confirm Activation and Unlock Full Features
Once activated successfully, a confirmatory message or status update will appear that the software is registered. The watermark will be removed in exported files, and no functions will be restricted. You can now edit, convert, and manipulate PDFs in all the ways of AcePDF.
Part 3. Opening PDFs
Step 1: Access the Open Menu
Launch AcePDF and click the "Open" button on the main interface to browse your files. Alternatively, go to the File menu and select "Open," then navigate to your desired PDF and click "Open." The selected document will load instantly into the AcePDF workspace for viewing or editing.
Step 2: Drag, Drop, or Click the "+" Icon
On the program's blank area or home screen, drag a PDF file from your computer and drop it into AcePDF. You can also click the "+" Icon to open a file browser and choose a PDF to import. This flexible method allows you to open documents quickly without navigating through deep menus.
Step 3: Open via Default Viewer or Recent Documents
Suppose AcePDF is set as your default PDF viewer. In that case, double-clicking any PDF file on your computer will open it automatically in AcePDF. Back in the app, head to the "Recent Documents" section to find and reopen files you've worked on previously. This shortcut helps you easily return to ongoing projects without needing to browse your folders.
Part 4. Edit & Organize Documents
1 Header & Footer
Step 1: Open the Header and Footer tool in the Edit Tab
Open your PDF file in AcePDF, and then click the "Edit" tab in the top menu. On the toolbar, hit the "Header and Footer” drop-down menu. You will find three options: Add, Edit, and Remove. These tools enable you to effectively and comprehensively control the headers and footers of your document.
Step 2: Use or Type Over Header and Footer Content
To add a new header or footer, click the "Add Header and Footer" button, then choose the layout and style that can be customized. You can set margins, font size, and alignment, as well as add auto-generated fields, including the date and page number. When a header/footer is already present, use the "Update" option to amend the content without stripping it of its formatting.
Step 3: Implement or Remove Changes
When you are satisfied with your arrangement, you can choose to click either "OK" to complete the changes on the selected number of pages or on all pages. When you no longer need the header or footer, choose the option to remove it from the same menu. AcePDF will automatically erase it from the document, leaving the rest of your content intact.
2 Manage Pages (Insert, Rotate, Delete, Reorder)
Step 1: Access the Page Tab
Once your PDF file is opened in AcePDF, you can use all page management tools by clicking the "Page" tab in the top menu. The interface provides several options that you use to arrange your pages in sequence, such as all pages, odd pages, even pages, and landscape or portrait orientation.
Step 2: Insert, Replace, Rotate, and Delete Pages
In the "Page" tab, you may add new blank pages and paste pages of other PDFs where you want them to be. The replace option allows you to replace current pages with new material without losing the entire structure of your document. The "Rotate" tool can be used to adjust the page positioning so that they appear correctly, and the "Delete" tool enables you to remove any unwanted pages easily.
Step 3: Reorder, Extract, Split, and Merge
Just drag and drop thumbnails in the sidebar, and it is easy to reorganize the flow of your document. The "Extract" feature allows you to select specific pages from your PDF and save them as a separate file. Additionally, the "Split" tool divides large PDFs into smaller, manageable parts. Meanwhile, the "Merge" option allows one to merge several PDFs into a single coherent document, which is available on the same Pages tab.
Part 5. Convert & Export
Step 1: Navigate to the Convert Tab
Open your PDF file in AcePDF, then press the "Convert" tab in the upper toolbar. A range of conversion choices will be provided to you, like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Text, HTML, and Image. You must save any changes you have made to your PDF to avoid data loss before going ahead.
Step 2: Select Output Format and Destination
Select the format you prefer for your PDF to be converted to, based on your specific needs. Then, specify the destination folder where the converted file is to be stored, allowing for easy access. Check your selections, and you are now ready to start the conversion.
Step 3: Start Conversion and Check the Result
Press the "Convert" button, and the conversion process will start. Within seconds, AcePDF will convert your PDF and store the new file in the folder that you have chosen. Locate and review the generated file to ensure that its contents, format, and quality meet your satisfaction.
Part 6. Advanced Editing Features
1 Annotate (Highlight, Comment, Shapes)
Step 1: Open the Comment Tab
Start by opening your PDF file in AcePDF. Navigate to the top menu and click on the "Comment" tab to access the full suite of annotation features. Highlight, Underline, Strikethrough, and Note tools are all fundamental tools used in this section. These features enable you to highlight text, provide context-related comments, and collaborate within the document.
Step 2: Use Drawing Tools
Besides adding annotations in the form of text, the Comment tab also has a rich collection of shape and drawing tools that you can use to enhance your document visually. It allows you to add simple shapes, including rectangles, ovals, lines, and arrows, to highlight specific areas.
Step 3: Save Your Annotations
Once you have finished annotating, save the file to retain all the changes. This can be done by clicking on the file in the menu and saving, or by clicking the save icon in the toolbar. Every addition of highlights, comments, and shapes will be embedded into the document. They are editable, deletable, and can be viewed at any moment.
2 Form Tools (Add Checkbox, Radio Button, List Box)
Step 1: Select the Form Tab to Enter Elements
The first thing is to open your PDF file in AcePDF and then press the "Form" tab in the upper toolbar. You can add various interactive items, such as Check Box, Single Box (Text Field), Dropdown Menu (Combo Box), List Box, Push Button, and Signature, by accessing this section. These are used to create professional fillable forms, including applications, contracts, or surveys that need digital data.
Step 2: Insert and Position Form Fields in the Document
Select the input tool you would like to use and click on the area of your PDF where the field is supposed to be. Here are some examples: Multiple-choice questions can be answered with a "Checkbox", single questions can be answered with a "Single Box", or a "Dropdown Menu" can also be used to provide a small list of choices the user can select. "List Boxes" make it possible to scroll through longer lists of options, and "Push Buttons" can be set to perform various actions, such as resetting or printing. The "Signature" fields allow users to sign the form digitally. Drag and drop to resize and reposition each element.
Step 3: Adjust Field Properties
You can right-click on any form field and select "Properties" to modify behavior, labels, defaults, or options. You can adjust display preferences, assign permissions to multi-selection list items, and assign action activation to buttons. After finalizing the layout and input elements, you can also click on the save button to implement all the changes. Your PDF form is now digitally interactive, allowing you to fill it out, sign it, and submit it easily.
3 Digital or Handwritten Signatures
Step 1: Open the Protect Tab
Launch your PDF in AcePDF and go to the "Protect" tab in the top menu.
Here, you'll find two signature tools: Digital Signature and Handwritten Signature. These allow you to authorize and secure your PDF using verified or custom signatures.
Step 2: Insert a Digital Signature Using a Certificate
Click on "Digital Signature" and drag to draw the signature area on the page. A signature panel will appear, where you select a certificate under 'Sign As' and adjust the Appearance. After confirming your settings, click "Sign" to apply the secure digital signature.
Step 3: Create and Add a Handwritten Signature
Click on "Handwritten Signature," then select "Click to Add" to begin the setup process. You can draw, type, or import a signature image depending on your preference. Choose whether to convert it to black and white or require a password before applying.
Step 4: Finalize the Signature and Save
If password protection is enabled, set your password, click "OK", and place the signature. Review the signature's placement and make any final adjustments. Click "Save" to embed your signature and lock in the changes.
4 Password Protect/Watermark/Background/OCR/Compress
Step 1: Access Security and Add Password
Open your PDF in AcePDF, then navigate to the "Protect" tab or the "Tools" tab (for OCR and compression). In Protect, you can set an Open Password (required to open the file) and a Permission Password (to restrict editing, copying, or printing) using strong 256‑bit AES encryption. You'll also find options to Add or Remove Watermarks (text or image) and Apply or Remove Backgrounds (color or image), complete with settings for opacity, rotation, position, and page range.
Step 2: Use OCR to Make Scanned PDFs Editable
Switch to the "Tools" tab and select OCR to convert scanned or image-based PDFs into editable and searchable documents. AcePDF supports recognition in over 20 languages and allows you to choose whether to OCR the entire document, the current page, or specific pages. This makes formerly static content, like printed contracts or image-only PDFs, fully editable and searchable, streamlining your workflow.
Step 3: Compress PDFs for Easier Sharing and Storage
Still in the "Tools" tab, select "Compress PDF" to reduce file size instantly while maintaining formatting and clarity. You can compress multiple documents simultaneously. AcePDF's advanced compression removes unnecessary elements and optimizes images and datasets to preserve quality while minimizing file size.
Part 7. FAQs
1. Does Ace PDF work on Windows and Mac?
Yes, Ace PDF is compatible with both Windows and macOS operating systems. Both versions are available on AceThinker's official website and can be downloaded. Continuous updates are made to keep the performance and compatibility with the latest versions of the systems.
2. Are there any limitations in the free version of AcePDF?
The free version of AcePDF includes basic functions, such as viewing and editing, with limitations on conversions. However, advanced functions such as OCR, batch processing, password protection, digital signatures, and complete export may be limited or watermarked. To access the full toolkit, users are advised to upgrade to the premium version.
3. What is the level of security in my documents with AcePF?
AcePDF provides robust security features to safeguard your files. You can encrypt passwords, configure editing or printing permissions, and add a digital signature to check the authenticity of documents. Everything is handled on the local level, ensuring your files are confidential and secure when you work on them.
