Are PDF files giving you a headache? Opening the file isn’t an issue, but when it’s time to start editing, you’re ready to toss your laptop out the closest window.
Before you seriously start thinking about reverting to paper documents and editing with a pencil or pen, the best PDF editor can make a world of difference—but how do you know if you’re using the right editing tool or one that’s best left alone? Keep reading on to learn more.
Find a Tool That’s Easy to Use
As you’re browsing online for PDF editors one phrase seems to pop up in every product description. Pretty much every distributor is going to claim their PDF editor is the easiest one to use. After all, who’s going to download a tool proudly exclaiming how difficult it is to navigate?
Instead of going off of the product description, head over to consumer reviews. If consumers agree that the tool is a breeze to use there’s a good chance you’re not going to run into any difficulties.
Security Features
You’re probably not editing government secrets using a downloadable PDF editor, but your files may still contain proprietary information. If the PDF files contain patient information, then this data must stay private, and yes, it’s the law. HIPAA is pretty clear when it comes to the safety and security of patient information.
Some of the things to look for include password protection capabilities and the ability to grant and restrict access to the PDF file. If you often work with teams, you’ll want some people to have access, but not everyone employed by the company, and these are only a couple of examples.
Depending on your industry, you may need more robust security protocols like encryption. Yes, you can find PDF editors with all of the security features you need to stay in compliance with industry standards.
Cross-Platform Accessibility
If you’re like most people, you use more than one device for work. Sometimes it’s a laptop and then it’s a tablet or even your smartphone. Your job may not end the second you leave the office. You may also be lucky enough to be allowed to work on the go. This means you need a PDF editor that works on all of your devices.
Since pretty much every PDF editor is desktop-enabled, don’t worry about this functionality. If the editor isn’t designed to work on a desktop or laptop computer, find a different one. What you want to look for is one with a mobile app. Now, you can edit PDF files from basically any device compatible with the mobile app.
Customer Service Availability
Unless you’re proficient in all things tech, there’s a good chance you’re going to need customer support at some point. The mobile app can freeze, your password suddenly doesn’t work, or you’re having problems opening the PDF files. These are only a few examples of the potential issues that can pop up.
Try to look for a PDF editor with customer service; a chatbot is fine to start with, but you also want to be able to reach a human if the problem is complex or persistent. Email is okay, but the best PDF editor will also come with a phone number. With a little research, you can find the best PDF editor for your needs.
