Quick Start
This guide covers every PDF Expert feature:
- Aan de slag — Create your account and set up the app
- How to Use Edit PDFs — Modify text, images, and links in any PDF file
- How to Use Annotate PDFs — Highlight text and mark up documents
- How to Use Markup & Notes — Add notes, stamps, and comments to pages
- How to Use Convert PDFs — Turn PDFs into Word, Excel, or image files
- How to Use Sign PDFs — Sign documents in seconds on any device
- How to Use Comment PDFs — Insert comments and feedback into documents
- How to Use Add Images — Drop images into your PDF pages
- How to Use Manage Pages — Rearrange, rotate, and delete pages
- How to Use Merge PDFs — Combine multiple PDF documents into one
Time needed: 5 minutes per feature
Also in this guide: Pro Tips | Common Mistakes | Probleemoplossing | Prijzen | Alternatieven
Why Trust This Guide
I’ve used PDF Expert for over two years and tested every feature covered here. This how to use PDF Expert tutorial comes from real hands-on experience — not marketing fluff or vendor screenshots.
PDF Expert is one of the most powerful PDF editor and reader apps for Mac, iPad, and iPhone.
But most users only scratch the surface of what it can do.
This guide shows you how to use every major feature.
Step by step, with screenshots and pro tips.
PDF Expert Tutorial
This complete PDF Expert tutorial walks you through every feature step by step, from initial setup to advanced tips that will make you a power user.
PDF-expert
Edit, annotate, sign, and manage PDF documents on Mac, iPad, and iPhone. PDF Expert gives you all the tools to handle any PDF task with speed and accuracy. Try it free with a 7-day trial.
Getting Started with PDF Expert
Before using any feature, complete this one-time setup.
It takes about 3 minutes.
Watch this quick overview first:
Now let’s walk through each step.
Step 1: Create Your Account
Go to the PDF Expert website or open the App Store on your Mac.
Click “Download Free” or “Get” to start the install.
Create a Readdle account with your email and a password.
✓ Checkpoint: Controleer uw inbox for a confirmation email.
Step 2: Download or Access the App
On Mac, download PDF Expert from the App Store or pdfexpert.com.
On iPad or iPhone, download the iOS version from the App Store.
Log in with your new account on each device.
Here’s what the dashboard looks like:
✓ Checkpoint: You should see the main screen with your file collection.
Step 3: Complete Initial Setup
Connect your cloud storage services like iCloud, Dropbox, or Google Drive.
The iOS version lets you store files locally in PDF Expert too.
Explore the toolbar at the top to see where all the tools are grouped.
✅ Done: You’re ready to use any feature below.
How to Use PDF Expert Edit PDFs
Edit PDFs lets you modify tekst, images, and links in any PDF document.
PDFs aren’t editable by design, but PDF Expert makes them fully editable.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Watch Edit PDFs in action:
Now let’s break down each step.
Step 1: Open Your PDF File
Open any PDF file by dragging it into the app or using the “Open” button.
You can also right click a PDF on your computer and select “Open With PDF Expert.”
Step 2: Select the Edit Tool
Click “Edit” in the toolbar at the top of your screen.
Click on any text block to start editing — fix typos, update numbers, or add new content.
You can change the font, size, and format of selected text.
✓ Checkpoint: You should see a blue border around the editable text area.
Step 3: Save Your Changes
Press Cmd+S to save, or the app will auto-save your edits.
You can also export the edited PDF to a new file if you want to keep the original.
✅ Result: Your PDF is now updated with all your text and image changes.
💡 Pro-tip: You can insert comments or add a new paragraph to your document without leaving the edit mode. Just click where you want the text and start typing.
How to Use PDF Expert Annotate PDFs
Annotate PDFs lets you highlight text, underline key phrases, and mark up documents.
PDF Expert has all the annotation tools you need to review any file.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Watch Annotate PDFs in action:
Now let’s break down each step.
Step 1: Open the Annotate Toolbar
Click the “Annotate” icon in the toolbar to reveal the annotation tools.
You’ll see options for highlighting, underlining, strikethrough, and more.
Step 2: Highlight or Underline Text
Select the highlight tool, then drag across the text you want to mark.
Choose your preferred color from the palette in the corner of the screen.
✓ Checkpoint: The selected text should appear with a colored background.
Step 3: Add Shapes or Drawings
Use the pen or shape tools to draw circles or arrows on the page.
On iPad, you can use Apple Pencil for precise annotations.
✅ Result: Your PDF now has clear visual markups for easy review.
💡 Pro-tip: PDF Expert allows you to highlight text, add comments, or write in the margins — all without leaving the annotate mode. Combine multiple pens with various colors for color-coded reviews.
How to Use PDF Expert Markup & Notes
Markup & Notes lets you add sticky notes, stamps, and typed comments to any page.
You can easily type on a PDF to add your notes or comments in seconds.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Watch Markup & Notes in action:
Now let’s break down each step.
Step 1: Select the Notes Tool
Click the sticky note icon in the toolbar.
Then click anywhere on the page where you want to place your note.
Step 2: Type Your Note or Comment
A pop-up box appears where you can type your thoughts.
You can also add stamps to review documents or create custom stamps.
✓ Checkpoint: You should see a yellow note icon on the page.
Step 3: Review All Notes in the Sidebar
Click the sidebar icon to see all your notes and annotations listed together.
Jump to any note by clicking it in the sidebar list.
✅ Result: Your PDF now has organized notes you can easily access and share.
💡 Pro-tip: Creating outlines in a PDF helps guide readers to the most important parts of the file. Use the outlines feature as a table of contents that serves as a digital map of your document.
How to Use PDF Expert Convert PDFs
Convert PDFs lets you turn PDF files into Word, Excel, or image files with a few clicks.
You can also convert any JPG or PNG file to PDF with drag and drop.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Watch Convert PDFs in action:
Now let’s break down each step.
Step 1: Open the File You Want to Convert
Open your PDF document in PDF Expert.
Click “File” in the menu, then select “Export To” from the drop menu.
Step 2: Choose Your Output Format
Pick from Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or image formats like PNG and JPG.
You can turn PDFs into DOC files and easily edit them in Word.
You can also convert PDFs into image files for easy social sharing.
✓ Checkpoint: The export dialog should show your chosen format selected.
Step 3: Save the Converted File
Choose where to save on your computer, then click “Save.”
Your new file is ready to open in the target app.
✅ Result: Your PDF is now converted to the format you need.
💡 Pro-tip: You can easily convert scanned documents to text using optical character recognition (OCR). The OCR software in PDF Expert turns scanned PDFs into fully editable and searchable text.
How to Use PDF Expert Sign PDFs
Sign PDFs lets you sign documents in seconds using your Mac, iPad, or iPhone.
There are three simple ways to sign a PDF agreement or invoice with PDF Expert.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Watch Sign PDFs in action:
Now let’s break down each step.
Step 1: Open the Document to Sign
Open the PDF you need to sign in PDF Expert.
Click the “Sign” icon in the toolbar to start.
Step 2: Create Your Signature
Draw your signature using the trackpad, mouse, or Apple Pencil on iPad.
You can also upload a photo of your signature or type your name.
Your saved signature is stored for future use across all your apparaten.
✓ Checkpoint: Your signature preview should appear in the sign panel.
Step 3: Place and Resize the Signature
Drag the signature to the correct spot on the document.
Resize it by pulling the corner handles, then click outside to confirm.
✅ Result: Your document is now signed and ready to share or save.
💡 Pro-tip: Add your signature to the toolbar for fast access. This is the easiest way to sign multiple documents back to back without recreating it each time.
How to Use PDF Expert Comment PDFs
Comment PDFs lets you insert pop-up comments and text boxes anywhere in a document.
PDF Expert makes it easy to collaborate on feedback with your team.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Watch Comment PDFs in action:
Now let’s break down each step.
Step 1: Select the Comment Tool
Click the speech bubble icon in the annotate toolbar.
Then click on the part of the page where you want to leave feedback.
Step 2: Write Your Comment
Type your feedback in the comment box that appears on screen.
You can copy and paste text into the comment if needed.
✓ Checkpoint: A small comment icon should appear on the page.
Step 3: Review All Comments
Open the sidebar to see a complete list of every comment in the file.
Click any comment to jump directly to its location in the document.
✅ Result: Your document now has clear, organized feedback ready for review.
💡 Pro-tip: Use different colors for different reviewers. This makes it easy to track who left which comment when working on bedrijf documents with your team.
How to Use PDF Expert Add Images
Add Images lets you insert photos, logos, and graphics into any PDF page.
You can turn Word, Excel, or image files into PDF files in just a few clicks.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Watch Add Images in action:
Now let’s break down each step.
Step 1: Switch to Edit Mode
Click “Edit” in the toolbar, then select the “Image” option.
You can also drag and drop an image file directly onto the page.
Step 2: Select and Place the Image
Bladeren your computer for the JPG, PNG, or other image file you want to add.
Click “Open” and the image appears on your PDF page.
✓ Checkpoint: The image should appear with resize handles around it.
Step 3: Resize and Position
Drag the corner handles to resize the image to fit your layout.
Move it anywhere on the page by clicking and dragging.
✅ Result: Your PDF now includes the new image exactly where you want it.
💡 Pro-tip: You can convert any JPG or PNG file to PDF with just a few clicks or a simple drag and drop. This is the fastest way to create PDF documents from image files.
How to Use PDF Expert Manage Pages
Manage Pages lets you rearrange, rotate, delete, or split pages in any PDF.
You can organize PDF pages to improve navigation in your documents.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Watch Manage Pages in action:
Now let’s break down each step.
Step 1: Open Page Thumbnails
Click the grid icon in the toolbar to see thumbnail previews of all pages.
Each page appears as a small preview you can manage.
Step 2: Rearrange or Rotate Pages
Drag and drop any page thumbnail to rearrange the order.
Right click a page to rotate it 90 degrees or delete it entirely.
✓ Checkpoint: The page order should update direct in the thumbnail view.
Step 3: Extract or Split Pages
Select the pages you want, then click “Extract” to save them as a new PDF.
Adding page numbers helps readers navigate through the document easily.
✅ Result: Your PDF pages are now organized exactly how you need them.
💡 Pro-tip: Hold Cmd and click to select multiple pages at once. This is the fastest way to delete or extract a batch of pages from a large document.
How to Use PDF Expert Merge PDFs
Merge PDFs lets you combine multiple PDF documents into a single file.
Merging multiple PDFs into one can be done in seconds with PDF Expert.
Here’s how to use it step by step.
Watch Merge PDFs in action:
Now let’s break down each step.
Step 1: Open the First PDF
Open the PDF that will be the starting point for your merged file.
Go to the page thumbnails view by clicking the grid icon.
Step 2: Add More Files
Drag additional PDF files from Finder directly into the thumbnail sidebar.
You can also click “Append File” to browse and select files from your computer.
✓ Checkpoint: All pages from every file should appear in the sidebar.
Step 3: Save the Merged Document
Rearrange pages if needed, then press Cmd+S to save the combined PDF.
You can also export it as a new file to keep the originals unchanged.
✅ Result: All your separate PDFs are now merged into one clean document.
💡 Pro-tip: You can combine PDFs to improve navigation in your documents. After merging, create an outline or table of contents so readers can easily access each section.
PDF Expert Pro Tips and Shortcuts
After testing PDF Expert for over two years, here are my best tips.
Toetsenbord sneltoetsen
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Open a PDF file | Cmd + O |
| Save current document | Cmd + S |
| Copy selected text | Cmd + C |
| Find text in PDF | Cmd + F |
| Zoom in on page | Cmd + Plus |
| Zoom out on page | Cmd + Minus |
| Undo last action | Cmd + Z |
| Print document | Cmd + P |
Hidden Features Most People Miss
- Split View Reading: Open two PDFs side by side to compare documents or reference one while editing another. Click “View” then “Split View” in the menu.
- Search History: PDF Expert saves your recent searches so you can easily access previous queries. Click the magnifying glass icon to see your search history.
- AI-Powered Summaries: Use the AI features to summarize lengthy documents, extract key points, and generate keywords from any PDF. This saves hours of reading time on long reports.
- Offline Translation: You can translate entire PDFs into different languages securely and offline within PDF Expert on iOS 18 and later.
PDF Expert Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake #1: Editing a Scanned PDF Without Using OCR First
❌ Wrong: Trying to select and edit text in a scanned document that hasn’t been processed with OCR.
✅ Right: Run optical character recognition on scanned documents first. Then the text becomes editable and searchable.
Mistake #2: Not Saving Before Closing the App
❌ Wrong: Closing PDF Expert without saving and losing all your edits and annotations.
✅ Right: Press Cmd+S after every major change. PDF Expert does auto-save, but a manual save ensures nothing is lost.
Mistake #3: Sharing PDFs Without Redacting Sensitive Data
❌ Wrong: Sending a PDF with credit card numbers, addresses, or personal info still visible.
✅ Right: Use the redact tool to hide sensitive information before sharing. You can also password-protect documents to keep your data safe.
PDF Expert Troubleshooting
Problem: PDF Text Won’t Edit
Cause: The PDF is a scanned image, not a text-based document. The app can’t detect editable text in image-only files.
Repareren: Use the OCR feature to scan the document and convert it to editable text first. Then try editing again.
Problem: App Crashes When Opening Large Files
Cause: Very large PDFs with hundreds of pages or heavy graphics can overwhelm available memory on your device.
Repareren: Close other apps to free up memory. Update PDF Expert to the latest version. Try splitting the large file into smaller sections.
Problem: Signature Doesn’t Appear on Shared PDF
Cause: The signature was placed as an annotation layer that gets flattened differently by some PDF readers.
Repareren: Before sharing, go to File > Export and choose “Flatten Annotations.” This embeds the signature permanently into the PDF.
📌 Opmerking: If none of these fix your issue, contact PDF Expert support at support.readdle.com.
Wat is PDF Expert?
PDF-expert is a PDF editor and reader app designed for editing, annotating, signing, and organizing documents on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Think of it like a word processor built specifically for PDF files.
Whether you need to edit PDFs on Mac, fill out forms on iPad, or sign documents on iPhone, PDF Expert handles it all.
PDF Expert makes any PDF task fast and simple — from filling out forms to converting entire documents.
It has all the tools you need to edit and annotate PDFs the way you want.
PDF Expert has garnered accolades such as App of the Year Runner-up and Redacteuren‘ Choice by Apple.
Watch this quick overview:
It includes these key features:
- Edit PDFs: Modify text, images, and links in any PDF document on your Mac or iOS device.
- Annotate PDFs: Highlight text, underline, and add visual markups with the full set of annotation tools.
- PDF's converteren: Turn PDF files into Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or image formats and back again.
- Sign PDFs: Sign documents digitally and fill out PDF forms on any Apple device.
- Manage Pages: Rearrange, rotate, delete, and split pages to organize your documents.
- Merge PDFs: Combine multiple PDF files into one for easier navigation and sharing.
- OCR: Use optical character recognition to make scanned documents fully searchable and editable.
- AI-functies: Summarize lengthy documents, extract key points, and generate keywords with AI.
For a full review, see our PDF Expert review.
PDF Expert Pricing
Here’s what PDF Expert costs in 2026:
| Plan | Prijs | Het beste voor |
|---|---|---|
| Wekelijks | $4,99/week | Short-term projects or quick PDF tasks |
| Jaarlijks | $1.53/week | Regular users who want the best value |
| Levensduur | $139.99 | Power users who want to pay once and own it forever |
Gratis proefperiode: Yes — 7-day free trial available on all plans.
Geld-terug-garantie: Yes — available through the App Store refund process.
💰 Best Value: Yearly plan at $1.53/week — you get every feature at the lowest per-week cost. The Lifetime plan is great if you plan to use PDF Expert for more than two years.
PDF Expert vs Alternatives
How does PDF Expert compare? Here’s the competitive landscape:
| Hulpmiddel | Het beste voor | Prijs | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| PDF-expert | Mac and iOS PDF editing | $1.53/week | ⭐ 4.6 |
| Foxit | Windows and cross-platform teams | $10.99/mo | ⭐ 4.5 |
| PdfFiller | Online form filling and signing | $8/maand | ⭐ 4.5 |
| Tenorshare | AI-powered PDF tools | $4.49/mo | ⭐ 4.3 |
| PDF-element | Budget-friendly PDF editing | $11.99/quarter | ⭐ 3.9 |
| Nitro PDF | Business document workflows | $15/user/mo | ⭐ 3.8 |
| DocHub | Free browser-based editing | Free – $12/mo | ⭐ 3.9 |
| UPDF | Affordable cross-platform reader | $39,99/jaar | ⭐ 3.7 |
Quick picks:
- Best overall: PDF Expert — the fastest and most polished PDF app for Apple devices
- Best budget: DocHub — solid free plan for basic editing in your browser
- Best for beginners: PdfFiller — simple interface for forms and signatures
- Best for Windows users: Foxit — the top alternative for PC users who need a full PDF editor
🎯 PDF Expert Alternatives
Looking for PDF Expert alternatives? Here are the top options:
- 🚀 Foxit: A full-featured PDF editor for Windows and Mac with enterprise-grade tools, OCR, and AI-powered features. Great for cross-platform teams.
- 💰 PdfFiller: An online PDF editor focused on filling out forms, signing documents, and managing paperwork in the cloud. No download needed.
- 🧠 Tenorshare: AI-powered software suite that includes PDF chat, AI writing, and document tools. Best for users who want AI built into their workflow.
- ⚡ PDF-element: Affordable PDF editor with editing, OCR, and form tools. Works on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android at a lower price point.
- 🏢 Nitro PDF: Business-focused PDF software with team collaboration, e-signatures, and analytics. Built for larger organizations.
- 🌟 DocHub: Free browser-based PDF editor for quick edits, form filling, and signing. No software to download or install on your computer.
- 🎨 UPDF: Cross-platform PDF reader and editor with AI features and annotation tools. Available on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
For the full list, see our Alternatieven voor PDF Expert guide.
⚔️ PDF Expert Compared
Here’s how PDF Expert stacks up against each competitor:
- PDF Expert vs Foxit: PDF Expert wins on Mac and iOS with a cleaner interface. Foxit wins on Windows and offers more enterprise features for larger teams.
- PDF Expert vs PdfFiller: PDF Expert is better for desktop editing on Apple devices. PdfFiller is better for filling out forms online without installing software.
- PDF Expert vs Tenorshare: PDF Expert has stronger core PDF editing tools. Tenorshare offers broader AI features beyond just PDF handling.
- PDF Expert vs PDFelement: PDF Expert has a more polished Mac experience. PDFelement supports more platforms and costs less per year.
- PDF Expert vs Nitro PDF: PDF Expert is built for individuals on Apple devices. Nitro PDF is built for business teams needing collaboration and analytics tools.
- PDF Expert vs DocHub: PDF Expert is a native desktop app with more power. DocHub runs in your browser with a free tier for light use.
- PDF Expert vs UPDF: PDF Expert has better OCR and a more mature Mac app. UPDF offers broader platform support at a lower annual price.
Start Using PDF Expert Now
You learned how to use every major PDF Expert feature:
- ✅ Edit PDFs
- ✅ Annotate PDFs
- ✅ Markup & Notes
- ✅ Convert PDFs
- ✅ Sign PDFs
- ✅ Comment PDFs
- ✅ Add Images
- ✅ Manage Pages
- ✅ Merge PDFs
Next step: Pick one feature and try it now.
Most people start with Edit PDFs.
It takes less than 5 minutes.
Veelgestelde vragen
How do I extract pages from a PDF Expert?
Open your PDF file in PDF Expert and go to the page thumbnail view. Select the pages you want to extract by holding Cmd and clicking each one. Then right click and choose “Extract” to save those pages as a new PDF document on your computer.
Can a PDF Expert edit a PDF?
Yes. PDF Expert allows you to modify text, images, and links in any PDF document. Click the “Edit” button in the toolbar, then click on any text or image to start making changes. You can fix typos, add new paragraphs, or update numbers directly in the file.
What is the difference between Adobe Acrobat and PDF Expert?
PDF Expert is designed specifically for Apple devices — Mac, iPad, and iPhone — with a clean, fast interface. Adobe Acrobat works on Windows and Mac but costs more and has a steeper learning curve. PDF Expert is the better choice if you use Apple devices and want an easier app to learn.
How to copy and paste on PDF Expert?
Select the text you want to copy by clicking and dragging across it. Press Cmd+C to copy the text. Navigate to where you want to paste it — either in the same PDF or another app — and press Cmd+V. You can also right click and select “Copy” from the menu.
Is PDF Expert free to use?
PDF Expert offers a free 7-day trial so you can explore every feature. After the trial, you need a paid plan. The Yearly plan works out to $1.53/week, and the Lifetime option is a one-time $139.99 payment. There is no permanent free plan, but the trial gives you full access to all tools.
What can you do with PDF Expert?
PDF Expert lets you edit PDFs, annotate documents, sign contracts, fill out forms, convert files to Word or Excel, merge multiple PDFs, manage pages, and use OCR on scanned documents. It also includes AI-powered features for summarizing and translating content. Users can complete applications and tax forms digitally.
How to edit a PDF with PDF Expert?
Open the PDF in the app and click the “Edit” button in the toolbar. Click on any text block to start changing it. You can also add new text, insert images, or edit links. When you’re done, press Cmd+S to save your changes or export the file.
How to activate PDF Expert?
If you bought PDF Expert from the website, open the app and click “PDF Expert” in the menu bar. Select “License” and enter the license code from your confirmation email. If you bought from the App Store, your purchase is linked to your Apple ID and activates automatically.
How to cut and paste in PDF Expert?
Switch to Edit mode by clicking the “Edit” button. Select the text or image you want to cut. Press Cmd+X to cut it, then click where you want to paste and press Cmd+V. This works for moving content within the same page or between different pages in the document.
Is PDF Expert easy to learn?
Yes. PDF Expert is known for being one of the easiest PDF editors to learn. The interface is clean and the tools are grouped logically in the toolbar. Most users can start editing within minutes of downloading the app. It’s built to feel natural on Mac, iPad, and iPhone.
Is PDF Expert better than Acrobat?
For Apple users, PDF Expert is often the better choice. It’s faster, cheaper, and easier to use on Mac and iOS. Adobe Acrobat has more advanced features for enterprise workflows and works on Windows. If you only use Apple devices, PDF Expert gives you more value for less money.
Is PDF Expert worth it?
Yes. If you work with PDF documents regularly on Mac, iPad, or iPhone, PDF Expert is worth the investment. The Yearly plan is affordable at $1.53/week, and the Lifetime plan pays for itself quickly. It handles every common PDF task without the high cost of Adobe Acrobat.
Can you use PDF Expert for free?
You can download PDF Expert and use it as a basic PDF reader for free. The free version lets you view and annotate documents. To unlock editing, signing, converting, and other premium features, you need a paid subscription or the Lifetime purchase.
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