How to Move Images, Reposition Headers, and Edit Text in PDFs - without changing formatting
The Problem
PDFs weren't designed to be edited. They're more like images with positioned elements than structured documents.
Most PDF libraries force you to:
- Delete and recreate entire sections to make simple changes
- Use overlay techniques that break accessibility and searchability
- Accept font substitutions that ruin visual consistency
- Manually calculate positions and spacing for reflowed text
Technical Explanation
- PDFs store content as low-level drawing operations, not semantic elements
- Text positioning uses glyph IDs and transformation matrices, not CSS-style layout
- Images are referenced by indirect objects with complex coordinate systems
- Font metrics (kerning, leading, spacing) must be preserved pixel-perfectly
- Content streams are compressed and optimized, making edits difficult
Source PDF
PDFDancer Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2023
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents$2,450,000
Accounts receivable$1,875,000
Revenue 2023$14,300,000
Prepaid expenses$325,000
Total Current Assets$18,950,000
LIABILITIES & EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Accounts payable$950,000
Accrued expenses$425,000
Total Liabilities$1,375,000
This document has been prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
For questions regarding this financial statement, please contact our accounting department at finance@pdfdancer.com
API Calls
Full Code
Works instantly in guest mode — no API key required.
How PDFDancer Solves This
- Intelligently parses PDF content streams to understand document structure
- Reconstructs semantic elements (paragraphs, headers) from low-level ops
- Preserves or matches fonts automatically using visual similarity
- Handles coordinate transformations and reflows text when needed
- Moves images while maintaining PDF object integrity
- Applies true in-place edits without overlays or layout shifts
- Maintains original PDF structure and accessibility features