How To Add Arrows in PDF Files [Esay!]

Imagine writing a comprehensive research paper without drawing the reader's attention to the right place. This is where arrows come into the picture to make your content more comprehensible.

In PDF documents, arrows play an important role in marking a point or annotating a section. Using arrows at the right place does not just make things convenient for you but also for anyone who might receive your document.

However, the question of how to add an arrow to a PDF file remains a confusing subject for most of us. In this blog, we will learn all about adding arrows to PDF files and the tools you can use. Let's dive in!

Part 1. Why Do You Need Arrows in PDF?

Using arrows in your PDF documents is not just about aesthetics; there are many practical reasons behind this. Some of these practical reasons include the following:  

  • Better Engagement:The primary reason behind using arrows in PDF documents is to direct the reader's attention to a specific section or text. This little nudge in the wrong direction is very helpful in making the PDF document more engaging.

 

  • Professional Touch:Professionalism is hard to come by, and placing the right arrows at the right place will ensure that you add that distinct touch to your document. This helps make everything appear more polished and professional.

 

  • More Clarity:It is not surprising that arrows work as visual guides for readers sifting through your PDF document. When you place your arrows strategically, it helps enhance the overall clarity of the document and the content within it.  

Part 2. Understanding the Properties of Arrows

Before we dive into the nuances of adding arrows to PDFs, it is important first to make a clear sense of what an arrow's properties are. Understanding these properties will help you make the necessary adjustments and customisations when you add arrows to PDF documents. This will greatly help you change the style and look of the arrow based on your unique needs. These properties include:

  • Thickness/Width:This defines how thick or thin your arrow will be.
  • Transparency: You can use this property to determine if the arrow will be see-through or fully visible.     
  • Form: This literally defines the basic style of the arrow, which could be anything from dashed or solid lines to a double-sided arrow.  
  • Fill Color:If you want to change the color of shapes at the start or the end of the arrow, this is the property you need to be worried about.
  • Color:This is the basic color of the arrow.
  • Start or Ends:This property defines the shape of the arrow ends, which could be anything from circles to triangles or even nothing in certain cases.
  • Pattern: Arrows come with many different types of patterns that include dotted, solid lines, dashed, and even dotted and dashed lines together.   

Part 3. How to Add Arrows to PDF Using Different Tools

If the question about how to add an arrow in PDFs has been troubling, then you can put your anxiety aside because many tools will do that for you. These tools come with unique features that make them the ideal choice for different people based on their individual needs. So, let's check out the details of some of the best tools to add arrows in PDF documents:

Part 3.1: Afirstsoft PDF      

Afirstsoft homepage

There is definitely no shortage of tools you can use to add the right arrow to your PDF document, but most of them cannot match what Afirstsoft PDF offers. This unique and feature-rich platform has the right features to help you choose the proper arrow and use it accordingly.     

Afirstsoft PDF is one of the best PDF tools for annotating, editing, converting, reading, and even creating PDFs. It is fair to say that this tool is your ultimate arsenal to manage all your PDF needs with minimal effort and, more importantly, without any extra charges.        

How to Add Arrows in PDF Using Afirstsoft PDF

Adding arrows to your PDF document using the Afirstsoft PDF tool is one of the easiest things for almost anyone. The highly navigable interface of the tool makes it much easier to find the right arrow and add it to the file. But make sure you follow the following steps:     

  • Step 1:The first thing you will need to do is open the Afirstsoft PDF and import the PDF file on the platform.  

 

  • Step 2:Then, open the PDF file with Afirstsoft PDF and access the Comment tab to find the annotate PDF option.

 

  • Step 3: You can then add an arrow and make property adjustments based on your requirements.

 

  • Step 4:This is the final step, where you need to save the file by clicking on the File tab in the top left corner of the screen and then on the Save As tab.

Key Features

  • Comprehensive PDF solution with tools for all PDF-related needs
  • AI summarization features to make sense of content with efficiency
  • 20 GB cloud storage with paid plans
  • Interesting OCR PDF features that add to the overall convenience

Pros and Cons:

Pros

Cons

Countless useful annotation features

It takes longer to process large documents in certain cases

Easily accessible across different types of devices   

 

AI-powered PDF editor to optimize workflow

 

Powerful conversion tools

 

Part 3.2: PDFgear 

PDFGear homepage

The next reliable solution to insert arrows in PDF files is PDFgear, which stands out because of its unique editing features. This unique solution comes well-equipped with a comprehensive suite of tools that will help you take care of all your PDF needs.

You can use the PDFgear to access features like organizing, editing, compressing, and even adding shapes for better engagement. The best thing about this platform is that you do not need to sweat about any software installation or watermark.     

How to Add Arrows to PDF Using PDFgear?

PDFgear is a simple yet powerful web-based editor that does not require you to go through any complex procedures to add a simple arrow. All you need to do is follow a couple of simple steps that include:

  • Step 1:First, open the PDFgear page and upload the file with either a click of a mouse or using the drag-and-drop option.

 

  • Step 2:Then, find the Add or Edit annotations icon located on the toolbar and select the App Shapes option.

 

  • Step 3:Click on Add Arrow, right-click on it to customize its properties based on your needs and requirements, and click OK.  

 

  • Step 4: Once you make the necessary customizations, you can download the PDF by tapping on the Download tab and getting the job done.

Key Features

  • Interesting PDF editing features that offer unmatched flexibility.
  • OCR PDF features allow for the extraction of text from any document.
  • AI-powered tools to eliminate unnecessary clutter
  • Split PDF features for better comprehension

Pros and Cons:

Pros

Cons

Free of cost

There might be some issues with speed  

Accessible across various devices

 

No sign up required

 

Useful AI-powered tools  

 

Part 3.3: Universal PDF (UPDF) Highlighter/Annoter

UPDF homepage

While there are many tools to add arrows in PDF, the UPDF tool stands out for multiple reasons. This is probably one of the most reliable PDF tools you can use to add arrows, shapes, lines, and more.

UPDF also has many advanced customization features that will help you make the right changes to your arrow for optimum impact. You can adjust everything from the size of the arrow to its placement, thickness, orientation, and much more.

How to Add Arrows Using Universal PDF (UPDF)

The UPDF platform comes with a very navigable interface that makes the arrow-adding thing a left-hand task for all. So, let's check the steps of how to add arrows to PDF with UPDF:

  • Step 1:You need to download, install, and launch UPDF on your device.

 

  • Step 2:Then, you must upload the PDF file and select the Comment icon to access the annotation feature.

 

  • Step 3:You will find a Shapes drop-down menu, where you must click on the Arrow shape and place it in the proper location on the file.

 

  • Step 4:Lastly, place the arrow properly, adjust its properties, and save the file on the device.

Key Features

  • Seamless file-sharing options for better collaboration
  • Custom stamps to mark PDFs based on your workflow’s needs
  • Responsive and intuitive drawing features to showcase your ideas
  • Text notes to enhance the document’s engagement   

Pros and Cons:

Pros

Cons

Accessible across all devices with different operating systems

Expensive UPDF Pro+AI Plan

Feedback sharing features for better collaboration

 

Custom signature creation

 

Openable attachment that supports videos, documents, images, audio, and more.  

 

Part 3.4: Wondershare PDFelement

Wondershare PDF Annotator homepage

The Wondershare PDFelement is another great choice if you want to add arrows in PDF, and

rightfully so. This is one of the few free PDF editing tool features designed to make PDF management more efficient and simpler for you.

What's great here is that you can use the tool to create, convert, and add images and texts to PDFs. This is one of the few platforms where you can encrypt the PDF file with a password for better security.

How to Add Arrows Using Wondershare PDF Reader?

Wondershare PDFelement is not far behind in terms of user-friendly interfaces. All you need to do is follow these simple steps below and add your arrow in no time:

  • Step 1:You will first need to launch the Wondershare PDFelement platform and select Open Files to import it to the platform.

 

  • Step 2:The next step is to proceed to the Comment section, select the Arrow option, and draw the arrow on the PDF.

 

  • Step 3:This is the final step where you must save the PDF by clicking on the File menu and selecting the Save As option.

Key Features

  • Shape and eraser features to ensure your document stands out
  • Proficient PDF stamp creator with the ability to incorporate your text and images
  • Hassle-free PDF creation tools that meet all industry standards
  • Batch PDF conversion and compression for better efficiency

Pros and Cons:

Pros

Cons

Simple 3-step annotation process

Relatively expensive multi-platform plan  

Compatible with all devices and operating systems

 

Highly secure and compliant with industry security standards

 

Suited for almost every industry out there  

 

Part 3.5: Adobe Acrobat 

Adobe Acrobat homepage

Last but not least, here is the Adobe Acrobat PDF editing tool. This platform has many features that set it apart from the crowd. This is the reason Acrobat benefits from widespread acceptance by many users from around the world.

Most people use the platform to enrich files with different shapes, lines, circles, texts, etc. More importantly, this tool is excellent for adding arrow PDF and making the entire document more readable.  

How to Add Arrows Using Adobe Acrobat?

Like most other PDF platforms on this list, even Adobe Acrobat has a unique interface that makes adding an arrow as easy as possible. So, let's check out these steps and leverage the potential of this tool:

  • Step 1:First, you must launch the Adobe Acrobat platform and upload a PDF file.

 

  • Step 2:Go to the right pane on the screen and click the Comment icon.

 

  • Step 3: Look for the drawing markup tool drop-down menu and choose the arrow icon.

 

  • Step 4: Add the arrow to the PDf file, make the necessary property adjustments, and save the file to your device.  

Key Features

  • Seamless access to ready-to-use templates and easy creation of new templates
  • Merging and splitting PDFs based on the project’s unique requirements
  • AI Assistant to get your summaries with a single click
  • Legally binding e-signing features with the option to track them  

Pros and Cons:

Pros

Cons

Efficient PDF summaries

The free plan does not offer many relatively basic features.

Accessible on desktop, web, and mobile

 

Flexibility to create reusable templates

 

Easy drag-and-drop option for adding and reordering pages.

 

Part 4. Tips and Tricks to Use Arrows in PDF Files

Now that you know how to add arrows in PDF files, you must also add them at the right place on the document for better readability. But the catch is adding it at the right place and enhancing its impact. That said, here are some tips for using arrows in PDFs:

  • Maintain Clarity:The primary intent behind using the arrow is to ensure it directs the reader's attention to the right space. This makes it very important to ensure clear placement so the document does not appear cluttered.
  • Ensure Consistency:Consistency is also important when using arrows in your PDF files to create a polished look. You must ensure the arrow's shape, size, color, and other

properties are consistent throughout the document.

  • Stick To The Purpose: One of the most important things to remember here is the arrow's purpose. This is important for relaying the right information and enhancing the impact of the content.     

Part 5. FAQ

1. Can I add arrows to PDF files?

Yes, there are many different ways and tools to add arrows to your PDF files.     

2. What is the point of adding arrows to PDF files?

There is more than one reason to add arrows to PDF files, including making the document more readable, commanding attention, and adding a professional touch.

3. Can I change the arrow's color in a PDF document?

Yes, you can easily change the arrow's color in PDF files by choosing from a wide range of options.

Part 6. Final Thoughts

Numerous people around the globe use PDFs, and adding a proper arrow is your way to stand out in the crowd. By now, you must have understood how to insert arrows in PDF and the type of tools you need for this purpose. Whether you want free or paid tools with added functionalities, there is something for everyone in today's diverse market. So, if you are looking for a simple way to add arrows to your PDF, use this information to your advantage and give your PDF file a unique appeal.    

John Smith

Editor-in-Chief

With 10 years of experience in the office industry, John Smith is a tech enthusiast and seasoned copywriter. He likes sharing insightful product reviews, comparisons, and etc.

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