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7 Useful Methods to Remove Highlight in PDF
7 Useful Methods to Remove Highlight in PDF
The easiest way to remove highlights from a PDF is to use a PDF editor that supports annotations. Open the file, select the highlighted text, and delete the highlight.
You can use:
- 1 PDNob PDF Editor
- 2 Preview on Mac
- 3 Adobe Acrobat
- 4 PDF-XChange Editor
- 5 Foxit Reader
If your PDF was created from Microsoft Word and you still have the original document, remove the highlight in Word first and then save the file as a new PDF.
Highlights help you mark important text while reading or reviewing a PDF. They make it easier to find useful information later. However, there are times when you no longer need those highlights. You may want to submit a clean document, print a copy without colored marks, or remove old comments before sharing the file with someone else. The good news is that removing highlights from a PDF is usually simple. Many PDF editors allow you to delete highlights in just a few clicks. Even if you use a Mac or only have the original Word document, you can still remove highlights without much effort. This guide explains how to remove highlight in PDF using seven easy methods. Each method includes clear steps that beginners can follow. Whether you use Windows or Mac, you will find a solution that works for you.
Part 1. How to Remove Highlight in PDF with PDNob PDF Editor
PDNob PDF Editor is a simple tool for editing PDF files. It lets you remove highlights, comments, text boxes, and other annotations without changing the original document. The steps are easy even if you have never edited a PDF before.
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Step 1: Open Your PDF
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Step 2: Open the Comment Tab
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Step 3: Select the Highlight
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Step 4: Delete the Highlight
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Step 5: Save the PDF
Launch PDNob PDF Editor and click Open PDF. Browse your computer, select the PDF file you want to edit, and open it in the software.
Click the Comment tab on the top toolbar to access all annotation tools. This section lets you manage highlights, comments, and other markup in your PDF.
Click directly on the highlighted text you want to remove. You can also open the Comment panel and select the highlight from the list of annotations.
Press the Delete key on your keyboard, or right-click the selected highlight and choose Delete. The highlight will disappear while the original text remains unchanged.
Click File > Save to update the existing PDF, or select Save As to create a new copy. Your edited PDF will be saved without the removed highlight.
Why Choose PDNob PDF Editor?
PDNob PDF Editor offers much more than highlight removal. You can edit text, insert images, organize pages, add comments, and convert PDFs into other file formats. The clean layout makes it easy for beginners, while the editing tools are also useful for daily office work.
Part 2. How to Remove Highlight in PDF from Word
If your PDF was created from Microsoft Word and you still have the Word document, this method is one of the easiest options. Instead of editing the PDF, you can remove the highlight before creating a new PDF.
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Open the PDF in Word Open Microsoft Word, click File > Open, and choose your PDF file. Word will convert the PDF into an editable document automatically.
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Select the Highlighted Text Find the text that contains the highlight. Click and drag your mouse over the highlighted area to select it.
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Remove the Highlight Color Go to the Home tab and click the arrow next to Text Highlight Color. Select No Color to remove the highlight from the selected text.
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Save the File as a PDF Click File > Save As or Export and choose PDF as the file format. Save the new PDF to keep a clean copy without the highlight.
For a visual guide, capture a screenshot of the Text Highlight Color menu in the Word ribbon and show the No Color option highlighted. This helps readers identify the correct button quickly.
Part 3. How to Remove Highlight in PDF on Mac
Mac users have two simple options. You can use the built-in Preview app or a PDF editor like PDNob if you need more editing features.
Method 1: Remove Highlight in PDF on Mac with Preview
Preview comes with macOS, so you do not need to install extra software.
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Locate your PDF file and double-click it to open it in Preview. If it opens in another app, right-click the file, choose Open With, and select Preview.
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Find the highlighted text you want to remove and click directly on the highlight. This will select the annotation so you can edit or delete it.
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If the highlight is selectable, press the Delete key or choose Remove Highlight from the context menu.
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After removing all unwanted highlights, click File > Save to update the existing PDF. You can also choose Save As if you want to keep the original file unchanged.
Preview works well for basic annotation editing. However, some protected PDF files may not allow changes.
Method 2: Remove Highlight on Mac with PDNob PDF Editor
If Preview cannot edit the file, open the PDF in PDNob PDF Editor.
Open the PDF.
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Click Comment.
Select the highlight.
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Press Delete.
Save the edited PDF.
PDNob provides additional editing tools, making it a better choice for users who work with PDF files regularly.
Part 4. How to Remove Highlight in PDF from Word (After Converting the PDF)
If you only have a PDF file and do not have the original Word document, Microsoft Word may still help. Recent versions of Word can open many PDF files and convert them into editable documents.
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Launch Microsoft Word on your computer. Make sure you are using a version that supports opening PDF files.
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Click File, then Open, and browse to the location of your PDF. Select the file and click Open to import it into Word.
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Word will show a message explaining that it will convert the PDF into an editable document. Click OK and wait a few moments for the conversion to finish.
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Scroll through the document until you find the text with the highlight. Check that the formatting looks correct after the conversion.
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Click and drag your mouse over the highlighted text to select it. Make sure only the text with the highlight is selected.
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Open the Home tab on the ribbon and locate the Text Highlight Color button. Click the small arrow next to the icon to open the color menu.
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Select No Color from the drop-down menu to remove the highlight. The text will remain the same, but the background color will disappear.
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Click File > Save As or Export and choose PDF as the file format. Save the new PDF to keep a clean version without the highlight.
This method works well for simple PDF files. However, complex layouts, tables, or images may change slightly during the conversion process.
Part 5. How to Remove Highlight in PDF with Adobe Acrobat
Adobe Acrobat is one of the most popular PDF editors. It allows you to remove highlights, comments, notes, and other annotations quickly.
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Launch Adobe Acrobat and open the PDF file that contains the highlighted text. Wait for the document to load completely before making any changes.
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Find the highlighted section you want to remove and click directly on it. This will select the highlight annotation for editing.
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Right-click the selected highlight to open the context menu. The menu displays several options for managing the annotation.
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Click Delete to remove the selected highlight from the PDF. You can also press the Delete key on your keyboard for a quicker option.
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After removing all unwanted highlights, click File > Save to update the existing document. You can also choose Save As if you want to keep the original PDF unchanged.
Adobe Acrobat also lets you edit text, combine PDF files, fill forms, and add electronic signatures. It is a good choice for users who work with PDF files every day.
Part 6. How to Remove Highlight in PDF with PDF-XChange Editor
Many Windows users choose PDF-XChange Editor because it includes many editing tools while remaining easy to use.
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Launch PDF-XChange Editor and open the PDF file you want to edit. Wait until the document loads completely before making any changes.
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Click the Comment tool from the toolbar to access annotation options. This tool allows you to select, edit, and remove highlights and other comments.
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Find the highlighted text you want to remove and click directly on the highlight. This will select the annotation so you can edit or delete it.
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Press the Delete key on your keyboard, or right-click the selected highlight and choose Delete from the menu. The highlight will be removed while the original text remains unchanged.
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Click File > Save to update the current PDF with your changes. You can also choose Save As to create a new copy and keep the original file unchanged.
This method removes only the highlight. Your document text stays the same.
If you are searching for how to remove highlight in PDF XChange Editor, these simple steps will help you finish the task quickly.
Part 7. How to Remove Highlight in PDF with Foxit Reader
Foxit Reader is another popular PDF program that supports annotation editing. It is lightweight and easy for beginners.
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Launch Foxit Reader and open the PDF file that contains the highlighted text. Wait for the document to load completely before you begin editing.
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Locate the highlight you want to remove and click directly on it. This will select the highlight annotation for editing.
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Right-click the selected highlight to open the context menu. The menu provides several options for managing annotations.
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Click Delete from the menu to remove the selected highlight. You can also press the Delete key on your keyboard for a faster way to remove it.
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Click File > Save to apply the changes to your PDF. If you want to keep the original file, choose Save As and save the edited PDF with a different name.
If you need how to remove highlight in PDF Foxit Reader, this method removes highlights in only a few clicks.
PDNob vs. Preview vs. Adobe vs. PDF-XChange vs. Foxit: Full Feature Comparison
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Part 8. FAQs
Q1. 1 How to remove highlight from PDF in PDFgear?
A1: Open the PDF in PDFgear and click the highlighted text. Right-click the highlight and choose Delete or press the Delete key. Save the PDF after making your changes. If the highlight cannot be selected, the PDF may be protected or flattened.
Q2. 2 How do I remove the yellow text box in a PDF?
A2: If the yellow box is a highlight, click it and delete it using your PDF editor. If it is a comment or text box, select the annotation and press Delete. Most PDF editors, including PDNob PDF Editor, Adobe Acrobat, Foxit Reader, and PDF-XChange Editor, let you remove these items without changing the document text.
Conclusion
Learning how to remove highlight in PDF is simple when you use the right tool. If you only need basic editing on a Mac, Preview is a good option. Adobe Acrobat, PDF-XChange Editor, and Foxit Reader also provide reliable ways to remove highlights from PDF files. If you still have the original Word document, removing highlights before creating a new PDF is often the easiest solution. For users who want an easy interface and additional PDF editing features, PDNob PDF Editor is a practical choice. It allows you to remove highlights, edit text, manage pages, add comments, and convert PDF files in one place. Choose the method that matches your device and editing needs, and you can quickly create a clean PDF ready for sharing or printing.
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