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What does “edit a PDF in OneDrive” mean?
It depends on the task. OneDrive offers different tools for markup, collaboration, and page handling, and the available controls vary by platform and account.
- Mark up: Add notes, text boxes, highlights, signatures, or freehand marks in the mobile app. These are annotations, not edits to the PDF’s original text.
- Comment: Leave or reply to comments in OneDrive on the web. Comments are stored in the file’s Details pane rather than inserted into the PDF page.
- Change the PDF’s contents: OneDrive’s browser PDF reader can view and print, but not edit the contents. Microsoft recommends converting the file to an editable format such as DOCX; desktop Word is one option for doing that.
- Reorganize pages: Microsoft lists page extraction and PDF merging as premium features, subject to account eligibility.
Microsoft states, “You can view and print the PDF in the reader, but you can’t edit its contents.” See Microsoft’s explanation of PDF reader limits.
Which OneDrive PDF features are free?
Microsoft’s OneDrive PDF feature matrix, updated 2025-08-27, labels annotation and markup, bookmarks, reading appearance, page rotation, and table-of-contents navigation as free. Availability differs by platform:
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- Scanner type: Document
- Connectivity technology: USB
- With Auto Scan Mode, the scanner automatically detects what you're scanning
- Digitize documents and images
| Feature | iOS/iPadOS | Android | Home and work/school OneDrive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annotation and markup | Free | Free | Free |
| Bookmarks | Free | Free | Not listed in the matrix |
| Reading appearance controls | Not listed in the matrix | Free | Not listed in the matrix |
| Page rotation | Not listed in the matrix | Not listed in the matrix | Free |
| Table-of-contents navigation | Not listed in the matrix | Not listed in the matrix | Free |
Microsoft’s matrix identifies bookmarks for iOS/iPadOS and Android, and reading appearance controls for Android. Its rotation instructions describe turning pages in 90-degree clockwise increments. A table-of-contents control appears only if the PDF contains table-of-contents data.
Mark up a PDF in OneDrive for iOS
Microsoft’s iOS app supports notes, text boxes, pictures, and freehand markup. Its annotation tools also include shapes, signatures, images, and dates, plus an eraser and three pens. Text-selection actions include copy, define, highlight, underline, and strikethrough. You can select annotations to copy or delete them.
Rank #2
- PORTABLE SCANNER FOR USE ON-THE-GO — The fastest and lightest mobile single-sheet-fed compact document scanner in its class¹
- QUICK DOCUMENT SCANNING ― This Epson ultra-fast scanner scans a single page as quickly as 5.5 seconds²; Windows and Mac compatible
- VERSATILE PAPER HANDLING ― Portable scanner scans documents up to 8.5 x 72 in; Also easily digitizes receipts and ID cards to make accounting, bookkeeping, and organizing simpler
- INTUITIVE, HIGH-SPEED SOFTWARE — Epson ScanSmart Software³ is a smart tool allowing you to easily scan, review, and save; Stay organized easily with the help of this Epson scanner
- EASY SETUP — USB-powered connect to your computer for quick and simple scanning; No batteries or external power supply required to operate portable document scanner; Standard Connectivity: USB 2.0
- Open the PDF in the OneDrive app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Choose the annotation or markup control, then select the tool you need, such as a pen, highlighter, note, text box, or signature.
- Write or draw on the page, or place the selected item where it belongs. A stylus, pencil, or fingertip can be used for freehand input.
- To adjust an annotation, select it and use the available editing options; select and delete it if you no longer want it.
For the current iOS controls and workflow, follow Microsoft’s iOS PDF markup instructions.
Mark up a PDF in OneDrive for Android
The Android app documents pen and highlighter tools, notes, text, signatures, dates, and images. It also supports editing or deleting markup. The toolbar and interactions differ from iOS, so use the Android-specific directions rather than assuming the iPhone steps apply.
Rank #3
- FAST SPEEDS - Scans color and black and white documents a blazing speed up to 16ppm (1). Color scanning won’t slow you down as the color scan speed is the same as the black and white scan speed.
- ULTRA COMPACT – At less than 1 foot in length and only about 1. 5lbs in weight you can fit this device virtually anywhere (a bag, a purse, even a pocket).
- READY WHENEVER YOU ARE – The DS-640 mobile scanner is powered via an included micro USB 3. 0 cable allowing you to use it even where there is no outlet available. Plug it into you PC or laptop and you are ready to scan.
- WORKS YOUR WAY – Use the Brother free iPrint&Scan desktop app for scanning to multiple “Scan-to” destinations like PC, Network, cloud services, Email and OCR. (2) Supports Windows, Mac and Linux and TWAIN/WIA for PC/ICA for Mac/SANE drivers. (3)
- OPTIMIZE IMAGES AND TEXT – Automatic color detection/adjustment, image rotation (PC only), bleed through prevention/background removal, text enhancement, color drop to enhance scans. Software suite includes document management and OCR software. (4)
- Open the PDF in the OneDrive app on your Android device.
- Select the pen, highlighter, note, text, signature, date, or image tool you want.
- Add the annotation to the page. For freehand writing or drawing, Microsoft documents stylus, pencil, or fingertip input.
- Select existing markup to edit or delete it.
See Microsoft’s Android PDF markup instructions for the device-specific toolbar and controls.
Add comments to a PDF in OneDrive on the web
Web comments are useful for discussion without writing feedback onto a PDF page. You can comment on your own file or on a shared file if you have edit permission, and other users can reply.
Rank #4
- FAST DOCUMENT SCANNING — Document scanner with feeder allows you to speed through stacks with a 50-sheet Auto Document Feeder (ADF); Efficient office scanner to help you scan more productively
- INTUITIVE, HIGH-SPEED SOFTWARE — Quickly scan with this desktop document scanner; Epson ScanSmart Software lets you easily preview scans, email files, upload to the cloud, and more; Plus, automatic file naming saves even more time
- SEAMLESS INTEGRATION — Easily incorporate your data into most document management software with the included TWAIN driver; Office document scanner integrates seamlessly with business workflows
- EASY SHARING — Duplex scanner allows you to scan straight to email or popular cloud storage2 services like Dropbox, Evernote, Google Drive, and OneDrive for simple storage and sharing
- SIMPLE FILE MANAGEMENT — Scanner allows the creation of searchable PDFs with Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and convert scans to editable Word or Excel files effortlessly; Designed for home and office document scanning
- Open the file in OneDrive on the web.
- Open the Details pane and add a comment.
- To respond to a discussion, reply to an existing comment.
Comments have limits: they do not support line breaks or formatting, and @mentions are unavailable. They appear in the Details pane in the Files view, not the Shared view. An owner can disable comments; doing so hides existing comments but does not delete them. See Microsoft’s instructions for comments on non-Office files.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Extract pages or merge PDFs: premium features
Microsoft classifies page extraction and PDF merging as premium in its feature matrix, not as free tools for every OneDrive account. For home accounts, Microsoft says these premium PDF features are available to Microsoft 365 Basic, Personal, and Family subscribers. For commercial users, access is available when SharePoint is included in the subscription plan.
Best Value
- FITS SMALL SPACES AND STAYS OUT OF THE WAY. Innovative space-saving design to free up desk space, even when it's being used
- SCAN DOCUMENTS, PHOTOS, CARDS, AND MORE. Handles most document types, including thick items and plastic cards. Exclusive QUICK MENU lets you quickly scan-drag-drop to your favorite computer apps
- GREAT IMAGES EVERY TIME, NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED. A single touch starts fast, up to 30ppm duplex scanning with automatic de-skew, color optimization, and blank page removal for outstanding results without driver setup
- SCAN WHERE YOU WANT, WHEN YOU WANT. Connect with USB or Wi-Fi. Send to Mac, PC, mobile devices, and cloud services. Scan to Chromebook using the mobile app. Can be used without a computer
- PHOTO AND DOCUMENT ORGANIZATION MADE EFFORTLESS. ScanSnap Home all-in-one software brings together all your favorite functions. Easily manage, edit, and use scanned data from documents, receipts, business cards, photos, and more
- Extract pages: Select pages and create a new PDF from them.
- Merge PDFs: Combine multiple PDFs, reorder the files in the documented workflow, and save the result as a new PDF.
Check the account and subscription you use before relying on either feature; eligibility differs between home and commercial accounts. The matrix and workflows are documented in Microsoft’s OneDrive PDF feature guide.
Quick Recap
Choose the right OneDrive tool for the job
| Your goal | Use | Important boundary |
|---|---|---|
| Write feedback or sign on a page | Mobile PDF markup | Annotations do not change the PDF’s underlying text. |
| Discuss a file with collaborators | Comments in OneDrive on the web | You need edit permission on a shared file; comments have formatting and visibility limitations. |
| Read, print, rotate, or navigate a PDF | OneDrive PDF reader and listed navigation tools | Some controls are platform-specific; contents are not editable in the browser reader. |
| Change existing text or other PDF contents | Convert to an editable format such as DOCX, then use an editor such as desktop Word | This is a content-editing route, not PDF annotation. |
| Create a PDF from selected pages or combine PDFs | Page extraction or merging | Microsoft classifies these as premium and account eligibility applies. |
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