How to add arrows, check boxes and pictures to PDF

Key points of this article

Checking, signing, and filling out forms are two types of operations: inserting or filling in content on the page, and modifying the original paragraph text. Please judge before taking action.
The text version of the PDF can be edited directly. The scanned document must be OCRed first so that the text can be selected before positioning the mark, otherwise it will be difficult to place it accurately.
OmniDoc's PDF editor supports filling in forms and signing, and is suitable for form check boxes and signature fields; drawing arrows currently has no specific instructions and requires a general method.
When you need arrows or pictures, you can export the PDF to Word first, insert it and then save it as PDF, and check whether the layout has changed page by page.
After completion, check the mark position, clarity and OCR recognition results, and open it in another reader to confirm that the display is normal.

What many people have to do on the PDF is not to change a sentence, but to put a check mark on the page, draw an arrow to point to a certain piece of content, or put a picture or a signature. This kind of "insertion" operation is different from modifying existing text, and the tools and ideas need to be changed. People who search for "How to tick boxes in PDF editing" are probably filling out a form, reviewing a contract, or adding annotations to charts in a report.

This article is for anyone who needs to mark, check, or put images on a PDF. After reading this, you will be able to determine which method is suitable for your document, know how to complete check-marks and signatures in the OmniDoc desktop client, and know what common methods should be used to complete operations such as arrows and pictures.

🎯 How to check and add arrows in pdf editing? One sentence conclusion

One-sentence conclusion: For forms and signatures, you should first use the editor’s filling and signing functions; arrows and pictures can be exported to Word first, formatted, and then saved back to PDF.

your situation	Recommended practices	reason
Forms have ready-made check boxes or fill-in fields	Use the PDF editor's form filling function to directly check or enter in the corresponding position.	The position is fixed by the form, so you don’t have to estimate it yourself, and the content is easy to check.
There are no checkboxes on the page, I just want a check next to a row	First confirm whether it is a text version, enlarge the page, add a mark at the target position, and check each place.	When there are no form fields, the tags are stacked on the page and need to be positioned one by one.
Signature or handwritten confirmation required	Use the editor's signature function to add a signature; use Sign Request when you need someone else to sign.	Signature is a standard function of the editor, suitable for scenarios such as contracts and approval orders.
Need an arrow to point to a certain piece of content	Export to Word, use document software to insert arrows and save as PDF	There is currently no special instruction for drawing arrow tools. The steps of this method are clear and the results can be verified.
Need to put one or several pictures	Export to Word, insert the picture, adjust the size and position, and then save it back to PDF	Pictures are easier to align in document software and are suitable for a small number of pictures

Before you start: Confirm these points first

Is the PDF a text version or a scanned copy? Open the file and try to select a piece of text with the mouse. If it can be selected and copied, it is a text version; if it cannot be selected, it is mostly a scanned copy or a pure picture. The scanned document can be OCRed first. After recognition, the text can be selected and then edited.
Whether there are form fields on the page. Some PDFs have checkboxes and fill-in fields that are clickable fields. Click to see if a check or input state appears to determine whether it is suitable to use the form filling function. This is less likely to misalign than manually ticking blank spaces.
On which page and row should the mark be placed. Mark the location on the paper draft or screenshot in advance to avoid rummaging back and forth in the editor and reduce misplacement. Multi-page documents especially need to be listed first.
Whether the layout can be moved. If it is just an explanatory mark, there is usually no problem in exporting it from Word and then saving it back to PDF; if it is a formal contract or a document that needs to be kept as it is, exporting and then saving it may change the layout. At this time, try to only sign or fill in the document without making major changes.

Steps to tick and sign PDF in OmniDoc

Open download.omnidoc.top to download and install the desktop client. The client supports Windows, macOS and Linux.
Start the client and use the PDF editor to open the file to be processed. If it is a scan, perform OCR first so that the text can be selected.
If the page has a form field, use the fill-in-form function, check the corresponding check box, and enter the content in the fill-in column.
If there are no form fields on the page, first enlarge the page to a visible ratio and confirm the position to be marked. If you can't find a suitable markup method in the editor, use the method in the next section instead.
When a signature is required, use the signature function to add a signature and place it near the signature column. If you need someone else to sign, you can use the signature request function to send the PDF to the other party for online signature.
Check page by page whether the check mark and signature are aligned with the target position, and whether they are blocked or cropped.
Save the modified file. If you still need to change the paragraph text or adjust the page order, you can continue to complete it in the same editor.

How to add arrows and pictures: export to Word and save back to PDF

OmniDoc's PDF editor can export files to Word, which provides a clear route for arrows and images: insert shapes and images into the document software, then save as PDF. The general method used here is that any document software that can insert shapes and pictures and save as PDF will do.

Export the file as a Word document in the PDF editor and save it locally.
Open the exported Word file with a document software and find the paragraph or chart location you want to point to.
Insert an arrow shape into the document, adjust the direction and length, and align the end of the arrow with the target content.
When you need to put a picture, insert the picture file, adjust the size, and be careful not to cover the key figures of the text or table.
Check the layout page by page. The files exported and then saved back may be different from the originals. Tables, formulas and columns should especially be read against the originals.
Save as PDF, separate the file name from the original, and keep the original PDF as a backup for easy fallback if problems arise.

This method is suitable for illustrative annotations and a small number of illustrations. When there are many pages and dense tags, inserting page by page will take a lot of time. It is recommended to process only key pages first.

Check each item after completion

After you get the results, do not send or file them directly. Check them through the checklist below.

Check item	What do you think?	What if there's a problem?
Mark position	Check page by page to see if the check box, arrow, and signature point to the correct line or paragraph	Go back to the editor to adjust the position, or reinsert the mark there
Sharpness	Zoom in to the common reading ratio to see if the edges of the picture and signature are false.	Re-insert the original image with a higher resolution
Occlusion and trimming	Check to see if the tag presses the body, table number, or edge of the page	Reduce the mark or move position and change it to blank space if necessary
OCR recognition result	Select a few paragraphs and check whether there are any mistakes or omissions against the original text	Manual correction of errors; machine identification and translation results should be checked for important content
Another reader.	Open it with another reader or browser and make sure that the tags and pictures can be displayed properly.	Save again when an exception is displayed, or go back to the export step to check whether fonts and pictures are embedded

# frequently asked questions (FAQ)

1. How to add arrows to pdf editors. Can I draw them directly in PDF?

There is no special tool for drawing arrowheads in the current functional description. If you want to point somewhere on the PDF, you can first export to Word, insert the arrow with the documentation software, and then save it as PDF, as shown above.

2. How to add images in batches when editing pdf?

There is no function of inserting pictures in bulk in the description of OmniDoc. In practice, it is easier to insert multiple pictures in the exported Word, place them, and then save them back to PDF, rather than processing them page by page in PDF. When there are many pictures, you should focus on checking the layout of each page.

3. Can the PDF of the scanned piece be ticked directly?

The scanned piece is usually a picture, the text on the page is not selected, and the mark is not easy to align. It is recommended to first use OCR recognition, so that the text can be selected, and then check or mark, and finally check whether the recognition result is accurate.

4. Does the signed PDF have legal effect?

Whether it is effective or not depends on the specific scenario, the applicable rules and the confirmation of the parties. The addition of a signature only completes the operation of the document. If the document is used for formal contract or approval, it is recommended to confirm the requirements for the form of signature with the relevant parties in advance.

5. Export Word and save it back to PDF. What if the format changes?

Keep the original PDF first and do not overwrite it. Then check the tables, formulas, columns and fonts against the original. If there is a big change, you can only sign or fill in the original PDF without major changes, or let the marked content be attached as a separate page.

# Summary

To tick, sign and add arrows on PDF, the key is to determine the file type first, and then choose the right tool: forms and signatures to the editor, arrows and pictures can be done by exporting Word. After each operation, the location, clarity and recognition results should be checked page by page.

Open OmniDoc and use the PDF editor to process your files