How to Read PDFs on Mac

Reading PDF files on your Mac is a straightforward process. However, if you want to edit the content of an existing PDF file, you'll need a specialized application like Adobe Illustrator. But did you know that you can still extract information from deleted documents? The recent scandal in Australian Politics, where private phone numbers of politicians were accidentally leaked, highlights the importance of data extraction.

If someone deletes a box or rectangle from a PDF document, the original content will still be visible. This is more of a hack than a proper way to edit, but it's an effective method for extracting information.

To make minor changes to a PDF file using the built-in Preview app on your Mac, you can add text and graphics. However, if you need full PDF editing capabilities, such as adding paragraphs of text or moving images around, you'll need specialized software like Adobe Illustrator or Adobe Acrobat Professional.

One useful feature in Preview is its hidden 'Annotations Toolbar.' To access it, go to the View menu and select 'Show Annotations Toolbar.' This will give you a toolbar along the bottom of your preview window that allows you to edit your PDF file.

You can also use Preview's built-in editing abilities to complete forms or make minor additions. Simply double-click on any PDF file in OS X, and it will open in Preview. From there, you can add text and graphics to your PDF file using the toolbar buttons along the bottom of the window.

While Preview has limited editing capabilities, it's still a useful tool for making simple changes to a PDF file. If you're looking for more advanced PDF editing software, consider investing in Adobe Illustrator or Adobe Acrobat Professional.

How to read pdfs on mac