How to annotate and highlight a PDF online for free in LAWD Box
Updated
Quick answer
To annotate a PDF in LAWD Box, click the PDF to open the reader, pick “Texto” (Text), “Desenhar” (Draw) or “Destacar” (Highlight) at the top and mark up the page. Then click “Salvar no Box” (Save to Box) to keep a copy named “name (anotado).pdf” in the same folder, or “Baixar” (Download) to get the annotated copy on your device.
LAWD Box has its own PDF reader: you open the document in your browser, read with zoom and annotate with text, drawings and highlights, with nothing to install. This tutorial covers each tool and how to keep the annotated version. The app is in Portuguese today, so labels appear with their meaning. If you haven't uploaded the PDF yet, see how to upload files and create folders.
The reader's tools
At the top of the reader you'll find the file name, the current page ("Página 2 de 10", page 2 of 10) and the tools:
| Tool | What it's for |
|---|---|
| "Ler" (Read) | Just read and scroll, no marks |
| "Texto" (Text) | Type text anywhere on the page |
| "Desenhar" (Draw) | Freehand drawing with a mouse or finger |
| "Destacar" (Highlight) | Mark passages, like a highlighter |
| Magnifiers | "Diminuir" (Zoom out) and "Aumentar" (Zoom in) |
| "Baixar" (Download) | Download a copy with your annotations |
| "Salvar no Box" (Save to Box) | Keep the annotated copy in LAWD Box |
Step by step
- Open LAWD Box at box.lawd.me and click the PDF file. The reader opens over the page.
- To write, click "Texto" (Text), then click the spot on the page where the text should go. Type.
- To draw, sign or circle something, click "Desenhar" (Draw) and trace on the page.
- To highlight, click "Destacar" (Highlight) and go over the passage you want to mark.
- Switch back to "Ler" (Read) when you just want to scroll without marking.
- Click "Salvar no Box" (Save to Box). The copy "name (anotado).pdf" shows up in the same folder as the original.
- If you'd rather keep it on your computer or phone, click "Baixar" (Download): the file comes with your annotations.
What happens to the original
The original PDF stays untouched. Annotations go to a copy with "(anotado)" (annotated) in its name. If you open that copy, annotate more and save again, it's updated instead of creating another one. The copy counts toward your 1 GB like any other file.
PDFs from email and from the trash
- Email attachments: in LAWD Mail, a PDF attachment has a book icon, "Abrir (ler e anotar)" (Open, read and annotate). It's the same reader, and "Salvar no Box" keeps the copy in the "Anexos do e-mail" (Email attachments) folder. See how to save email attachments to LAWD Box.
- PDFs in the trash: open for reading and downloading only. Restore the file first to annotate it.
Safety and common issues
The reader doesn't run code embedded in a PDF: it only displays the document. If you see "Não consegui abrir esse PDF." (Couldn't open this PDF), the file may be corrupted; try downloading it and opening it on your device. If you see "Esse PDF não aceita anotação." (This PDF doesn't accept annotations), the document doesn't allow marks, but you can still read and download it.
For Box's other features, see the LAWD Box guide.
Frequently asked questions
Does the original PDF change when I annotate it?
No. “Salvar no Box” (Save to Box) creates a copy named “name (anotado).pdf” next to the original. If you annotate again and save, the annotated copy is updated.
Can I edit the text that's already in the PDF?
No. The LAWD Box reader annotates on top: it adds new text, drawings and highlights. The PDF's original content stays the same.
Can I annotate a PDF I got by email?
Yes. In LAWD Mail, use the attachment's book icon, “Abrir (ler e anotar)” (Open, read and annotate). When you save, the annotated copy goes to the “Anexos do e-mail” (Email attachments) folder in Box.
I see “Esse PDF não aceita anotação.” What now?
That message means the PDF doesn't accept annotations, usually because it's protected or built in a way that blocks them. You can still read and download it normally.
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