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Home / Blog / How to Circle Something in PDF | Unlocking PDF Annotation

How to Circle Something in PDF | Unlocking PDF Annotation

By Monica | Follow twitter | Updated on January 11, 2024
Introduction:
Circle on a PDF enables you to highlight important information in your PDF files, saving the receiver much time on looking for specific content. But how can you circle something in PDF? In fact, the circle is one of the most essential tools in PDF annotating. All PDF annotators in this market allow you to add markups or notes to PDF files, free-draw lines, insert shapes, highlight texts, etc. In this blog post, we'll introduce you to several top-rated PDF annotators. Let's dive in and find out how to add a circle in a PDF file!
summary

A Comparison Chart of the 3 PDF Annotators

Check the following comparison table to clarify the difference between these 3 PDF annotators: 

PDF Annotator Compatibility Price Annotation Features Interface Cons
SwifDoo PDF Windows, Android, iOS Free (7-day free trial) Extensive tools for annotating all the elements in a PDF  Navigable and easy to follow Lack of Mac version
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC Windows, Mac, Android, iOS $19.99/month Extensive tools while they require a learning curve Polished while overwhelming Beyond average pricing plans and professional features for casual users
Preview Mac-only Free Limited tools accessible Simple and clean Limited PDF editing features and Mac-exclusive

Circle PDF on a PC, iOS & Android with SwifDoo PDF

Key Takeaways:

  • 7-day free trial
  • 100% safe & secure
  • Lightweight file size
  • Intuitive and polished interface
  • Comprehensive PDF annotating and editing tools

Being one of the best PDF annotators, SwifDoo PDF has earned many positive comments since its inception for its clean design and comprehensive features. It's never too much to say that SwifDoo PDF can meet all your requirements for annotating PDF documents. Let's explore a static: in the Annotate section of SwifDoo PDF, you can find 17 tools to process a PDF file. Whether you need to circle text content or freehand draw on any place, you can find a way out within this program.

So, just download this PDF editor on your PC and explore the process of inserting a circle into PDF with our guide below:

In SwifDoo PDF, you have two methods to circle something in a PDF: using Shapes and Pencil. We’ll show you how to use these two tools with detailed instructions in the following content:

Step 1. Launch SwifDoo PDF on your PC. Download it by clicking the following button if you haven’t installed this PDF annotator yet.

Step 2. In the top navigation bar, click on Annotate. You’ll see both Shapes and Pencil in the expanded toolbar.

  • Adding circles by using the Shapes tool:

Click on Shapes and select Oval (or press Ctrl + Alt + R).

Circle any content in a PDF file with your mouse.

Check the following GIF image:

Add Oval Circle to PDF in SwifDoo PDF

Tips: You can change the position of the oval shape by dragging and customizing the weight, line style, and line color of the oval in the unfolded box.
  • Adding circles by using the Pencil tool:

Click on Pencil (or press Ctrl + Alt + F).

Manually circle the content on your PDF with your mouse.

Likewise, the weight, line color, and opacity of the pencil are also customizable via the unfolded box when you click Pencil.

Here's an easy-to-follow GIF image:

Circle Content in PDF by Using Pencil

Step 3. Save the edited PDF file to your computer.

Add a Circle in a PDF File by Using Adobe Acrobat

Key Takeaways:

  • 30-year developing
  • Cross-platform compatibility
  • Free version (Acrobat Reader) available
  • Cloud service will streamline your workflow

Adobe Acrobat Pro DC is a full-featured PDF tool that allows you to annotate PDF files effortlessly. It offers practical options for you to comment and free draw on a PDF. Taking circle as an example, Acrobat allows you to draw on PDFs straightforwardly with your mouse. Or, you can add a circle to a PDF by using drawing tools such as Circle, Polygon, and Cloud.

Follow the instructions below to learn how to circle something in PDF with Acrobat:

Step 1. Open a PDF in Adobe Acrobat Pro DC.

Step 2. Tap the Comments icon on the right pane. Alternatively, go to Tools > Comment.

Step 3. Click the shapes tool and select a drawing tool.

Draw Circle on PDF Using Adobe Acrobat

Step 4. Then, draw a circle over your PDF and save your changes.

How to Circle Sth in PDF on Mac with Preview

Key Takeaways:

  • 100% free
  • Exclusive to macOS
  • Various file types are supported

Preview is a free PDF editor and comes with every Mac. It allows you to seamlessly handle PDFs and images. Editing PDFs with Preview is considered the most convenient and efficient way for Mac users to work with PDF files. Its sketch and draw tools help you create circles around PDF text with fixed shapes and freehand drawings per your requirements.

Here’s a simple guide:

Step 1. Open a PDF file in Preview on your MacBook.

Step 2. Click the Show Markup Toolbar button on the top navigation bar.

Step 3. Select any tool from Sketch, Draw, and Shapes. Then, make a circle shape on your PDF.

How to Circle in PDF with Preview

Step 4. Save the annotated PDF file.

Tips: By dragging the circle, you can easily resize and change its position.

The Bottom Line

That's all about how to circle something in PDF. In this blog post, we've introduced you to 3 top-rated PDF annotators that enable you to create circles around text in PDF files effortlessly. Each tool has its unique features and drawbacks. Just clarify your requirements and choose the one that fits you most. For time-saving concerns, we recommend Windows users use SwifDoo PDF directly. Its lightweight file size and comprehensive functionalities outperform most PDF tools in this market. Just download it now and sign up to enjoy a 7-day free trial!

Monica has accumulated more than three years of experience in writing tech products. Now she works as an English columnist for this website. With her extensive experience, Monica has offered many helpful and feasible recommendations.

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