How to Annotate PDFs in Chrome (No Extension Needed)

To annotate a PDF in Chrome, open the file in Chrome, click the pencil icon in the PDF toolbar, then use the Highlight or Note tool. Save the marked-up file by clicking Download or Save to Google Drive. No extension is required.

Applies to: Google Chrome on Windows, Mac, and Chromebook, on a recent version of Chrome. If you do not see the pencil icon, update Chrome and try again.

How do you highlight and add notes to a PDF in Chrome?

1. Open a PDF in Chrome. Drag a file into any tab, or click a PDF link on the web.
2. Look for the pencil icon in the toolbar running across the top of the PDF, and click it.
3. The annotation toolbar appears with two tools: Highlight (for coloring over text) and Note (for dropping a comment anywhere on the page).
4. To highlight: click and drag over any text. Chrome marks it in yellow by default.
5. To add a note: click the note icon, then click anywhere on the PDF. Type your comment in the box that appears, then click outside to save it.
6. Save your work: click Download to save the annotated file to your computer, or click Save to Google Drive to send it straight there.

Good to Know

• You can change the highlight color. Click any existing highlight and a small color picker appears.
• The Save to Google Drive button files your PDF in a folder called “Saved from Chrome” automatically, so you can find it later.
• These tools work on Windows, Mac, and Chromebook. If the pencil icon is missing, update Chrome to the latest version.

FAQ

Do I need to sign in to Google to annotate a PDF in Chrome?

No. Highlighting and adding notes works without signing in. You only need a Google account if you want to use the Save to Google Drive option.

Can I remove a highlight or note after adding it?

Yes. Click the highlight or note, and a small toolbar appears with an option to delete it.

Why don’t I see the annotation pencil icon?

This feature requires a recent version of Chrome. Update Chrome from chrome://settings/help and reopen the PDF.

That is really all there is to it. Sign a lease, mark up a research paper, scribble notes on a meeting agenda, right there in the browser, no extra software required.

Related reading

• How to Fill and Sign PDF Forms in Chrome (No Extension Needed)
• The Ultimate Guide to Using PDFs in Google Chrome