How to Highlight Text in PDFs on Ubuntu or Linux Distributions

Highlighting text in a PDF on Ubuntu or other Linux distributions can be made easy using several tools. This guide will walk you through different methods, ensuring you find the best fit for your needs.

The following tools are discussed, each with its own unique features:

Popular Methods for Highlighting Text in PDFs on Linux

Using Okular

Okular is a versatile PDF viewer that comes with built-in annotation features, including the ability to highlight text. Here's how you can use it:

Install Okular if it is not already installed on your system:

sudo apt install okular

Open your PDF: Launch Okular and open the PDF file you want to highlight. Highlight Text: Select the text you wish to highlight. Once selected, you will see an option to add highlight, strikethrough, underline, and more.

Using Xournal

Xournal is another application that allows for more freeform annotations. Here's how you can use it:

Install Xournal if it is not already installed:

sudo apt install xournal

Open your PDF: Launch Xournal and open your PDF file. Highlight Text: Use the text tool to select and highlight text. This method also allows for additional freeform annotations.

Using PDF Studio

PDF Studio is a commercial PDF editor but it provides a free trial. Here's how you can use it:

Download and Install PDF Studio: Visit the PDF Studio website to download it and follow the installation instructions. Highlight Text: Open your PDF in PDF Studio and select the text tool to highlight text. Additional features like editing and commenting are also available.

Using LibreOffice Draw

If you have LibreOffice installed, you can use Draw to highlight text in PDFs. Here's how:

Open PDF in LibreOffice Draw: Right-click the PDF file and choose Open with LibreOffice Draw. Highlight Text: Use the text tool to select and highlight text. This method also allows for additional Drawing and editing capabilities within the document.

Using PDF Arranger

PDF Arranger is primarily used for page rearrangement, but it can also help with simple highlights and annotations. Here's how:

Install PDF Arranger if it is not already installed:

sudo apt install pdfarranger

Open your PDF: Launch PDF Arranger and load your PDF. Highlight Text: While it is primarily for rearranging pages, you can add text boxes for notes. This method can be used to highlight critical text.

Summary

Choose the tool that best fits your needs based on whether you prefer a lightweight option like Okular or a more feature-rich editor like PDF Studio. Each method allows you to effectively highlight text in PDFs on Linux.

Additional Tools for Linux

It's worth noting that Foxit Reader is available for Linux. You can use this PDF reader to do almost all of the things, including highlighting and commenting. Here's how to download and install it:

Download Foxit Reader: Visit the official Foxit Software website and download the software. Install Foxit Reader: Unzip the downloaded file and double-click on the .run file to install, following the on-screen instructions.

For users who prefer free software and open-source options, Okular is also a viable choice. While it does not support all features, highlighting and commenting can be done easily. Okular is available in most Linux distributions.