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EDIT
Find every match of a word or phrase and highlight, underline or strike it out in one go.
QUICK ANSWER
To highlight text in a PDF, add the file, type the words to mark and choose Highlight, Underline or Strikethrough. Every match in the document gets the mark, and the preview shows the matches on the current page. It runs in your browser, so your file isn’t uploaded.
Updated 31 October 2026 · Written by the StackPDF teamUpdated 31 October 2026 · StackPDF team
You’ll type the words to mark next. It stays in this browser.You’ll type the words to mark next. It stays in this browser.
PDF files · Runs in your browser
QUICK ANSWER
To highlight text in a PDF, add the file, type the words to mark and choose Highlight, Underline or Strikethrough. Every match in the document gets the mark, and the preview shows the matches on the current page. It runs in your browser, so your file isn’t uploaded.
Updated 31 October 2026 · Written by the StackPDF teamUpdated 31 October 2026 · StackPDF team
HOW TO
Drop it here, or choose it from your computer, your phone or My files.
Every match gets a highlight, an underline or a strikethrough.
The marks are standard PDF annotations that other viewers show and can edit.
STYLES
All three are standard PDF annotations, so readers can see, edit or remove them.
| STYLE | LOOKS LIKE | USE IT FOR |
|---|---|---|
| Highlight | A yellow band behind the words | Points readers should notice |
| Underline | A line under the words | Terms to define or check |
| Strikethrough | A line through the words | Text you suggest deleting |
To mark a single passage by hand, use Edit PDF, which has a highlighter.
PRIVACY
Yes. Highlight text in a PDF runs in your browser, so the file never leaves your device.
StackPDF opens the PDF in your browser tab and does the work there.
Close the tab and it’s gone. Free results download to your device. Premium can also keep them in My files.
pdf-lib, PDF.js and qpdf do the work, inside your browser.
FAQ
Add the PDF, type the word in Find text, choose Highlight and download. Every match in the document is highlighted.
Yes. The free plan includes 1 PDF export a day, with no account. Premium removes the daily limit for $5.99 a month or $39.99 a year.
No. The marks are added in your browser, so the PDF stays on your device.
Yes. They’re standard PDF annotations, so readers can edit or delete them. Flatten PDF fixes them in place.
Not on its own, because a scan has no text to match. Run OCR PDF first, then highlight.
Yes, in Edit PDF, which has a highlighter for any passage you select.