# Annotate PDF for researchers

_Updated July 2026 · Arthize · https://arthize.com/for/researchers/annotate-pdf_

Arthize lets researchers and academics annotate a PDF in a private workspace — free, with no watermark. Annotating a PDF adds highlights, comments, shapes and notes on top of the page, so you can mark up a document without changing its text.

## Why researchers annotate a PDF

A researcher merges a paper with its appendices, extracts a results table into Excel for re-analysis, and compresses the figure-heavy submission under a journal's upload limit — privately.

**Built for papers.** Whether it's papers, datasets, appendices, Arthize's annotate pdf keeps the work inside your private workspace. Unpublished work and grant applications are confidential; a private workspace keeps them out of public tools.

## What matters when you annotate a PDF

Annotations sit on top of the page and don't change the underlying text.

You can highlight, comment, draw and add notes.

Annotated files are ideal for review and feedback.

## How to annotate a PDF

1. **Open the editor** — Sign in and open the PDF editor.
2. **Add your PDF** — Upload the document to mark up.
3. **Add annotations** — Highlight text, add comments, draw shapes or leave notes.
4. **Download** — Save the annotated PDF.

## FAQ

### How do researchers annotate a PDF for free?

Annotating a PDF adds highlights, comments, shapes and notes on top of the page, so you can mark up a document without changing its text. On Arthize it's free with no watermark, and the file is deleted after the job — which is why researchers and academics can use it for papers without a confidentiality risk.

### Is it private to annotate a PDF sensitive papers?

Yes. Unpublished work and grant applications are confidential; a private workspace keeps them out of public tools. Files are processed inside your private Arthize workspace and deleted after the job.

### How do I annotate a PDF?

Annotating a PDF adds highlights, comments, shapes and notes on top of the page, so you can mark up a document without changing its text. On Arthize it's free with no watermark and processed privately.

### Can I highlight and comment on a PDF?

Annotating a PDF adds highlights, comments, shapes and notes on top of the page, so you can mark up a document without changing its text. On Arthize it's free with no watermark and processed privately.