Highlighting text in a PDF while using Internet Explorer can be a surprisingly tricky task. Unlike dedicated PDF readers, Internet Explorer doesn’t have built-in tools for highlighting. This can be frustrating when you’re trying to annotate documents or save important information for later.
However, don’t worry! There are still ways to highlight in PDF documents while using Internet Explorer. This article will guide you through different methods to achieve this, helping you unlock the full potential of annotating PDFs even within your browser.
Workarounds for Highlighting in Internet Explorer PDF
While Internet Explorer itself doesn’t offer highlighting features for PDFs, you can utilize some clever workarounds to get the job done:
1. Print to PDF with Highlighting:
- Open your PDF: Access the PDF document you want to highlight within your Internet Explorer browser.
- Print the PDF: Instead of physically printing, choose the “Print to PDF” option in your printer settings. This will essentially create a new PDF copy.
- Choose a PDF program: Select a PDF reader program on your computer that supports highlighting as your “printer.” This could be Adobe Acrobat Reader, Foxit Reader, or any other program you prefer.
- Highlight in the new PDF: Once the new PDF opens in your chosen reader, you can use its highlighting tools to mark up the document as needed.
- Save your changes: Remember to save the newly highlighted PDF to preserve your annotations.
Selecting "Print to PDF" in the print dialog box
2. Use a Dedicated PDF Browser Extension:
- Search for extensions: Go to your Internet Explorer’s extension store and search for PDF viewer or reader extensions.
- Install a suitable extension: Choose a well-rated extension that specifically mentions highlighting capabilities in its description.
- Open PDF with extension: Once installed, open your desired PDF within Internet Explorer. The extension should activate automatically, allowing you to use its tools.
- Highlight with the extension: Use the extension’s highlighting feature to mark up your document. The specific interface will vary depending on the extension you choose.
Highlighting text using a PDF browser extension
3. Copy and Paste to a Word Processor:
- Open your PDF: Access the PDF document within Internet Explorer.
- Select and copy: Select the text you want to highlight using your mouse cursor. Right-click and choose “Copy.”
- Open a word processor: Open a word processing program like Microsoft Word or Google Docs.
- Paste and highlight: Paste the copied text into your document. Use the word processor’s built-in highlighting tools to mark the text.
- Save or print: Save your document or print it for later reference.
This method is best suited for highlighting smaller sections of text, as copying and pasting an entire PDF might not be ideal for formatting.
Conclusion
While highlighting in Internet Explorer PDF directly isn’t possible, you can work around this limitation using the methods outlined above. Whether you choose to print to PDF, utilize a browser extension, or copy and paste to a word processor, you can effectively annotate your PDF documents even when using Internet Explorer. Remember to choose the method that best suits your needs and the complexity of your highlighting tasks.
