Some online PDF viewers have limited options. Thus, you can’t help but look for a more reliable alternative. Speaking of which, wouldn’t it be great if you have an online PDF viewer that is also equipped with tools that you can use to highlight or add text to your PDF files? How about a PDF viewer that can directly save your edited document to Dropbox or Google Drive? Well, all of these features can be found on Notable PDF – a free browser extension for Chrome.

What is it and what does it do

Main Functionality

Notable PDF is an advanced cloud-based PDF viewer that lets you view, annotate, highlight and share your PDF files without too much of a hassle. It also supports user collaboration plus, you can immediately save your annotated PDF documents to your cloud storage account. As of now, this extension supports Google Drive, Box and Dropbox. You can also use it as a stand-alone web app.

Pros

• Clean, stable and responsive UI
• Works with Google Drive, Dropbox and Box
• Features various tools and options that you can use to view, highlight, annotate, save, print and share your PDF files – ex. zoom in/zoom out, find tool, print, insert text, select text, highlight, add comment, rotate clockwise/counterclockwise, jump to last page, view in presentation mode, strikethrough, underline, etc.
• Supports user collaboration
• Works offline
• Also available as a stand-alone web application – ideal for Firefox and Safari users

Cons

• You can’t change the reading mode style to light or dark
• You can’t bookmark a page plus you cannot change its page display mode to two-page view, two-page scrolling, etc.

Discussion

With Notable PDF, you have two basic options – to use it on Chrome or to use it as a stand-alone web application. Anyhow, this review focuses on the features and functionality of the advanced PDF viewer’s free Chrome browser extension.

Once installed on your browser, Notable PDF will add a small icon to your omnibar. Just click on the icon to access the extension’s advanced PDF viewer. If you are using the tool for the first time, you will be asked to sign in using your Google Drive or Box account. You can also opt to sign up for a separate account via email. Once you’re logged in, you can immediately notice the extension’s clean and minimalist layout.

When loading a PDF file or document, you have the option to load it directly from your computer or via your preferred cloud storage account (ex. Google Drive). Once the file is loaded on the viewer, you can view it according to your preferred viewing options. Just like other PDF viewers, Notable PDF offers both zoom in/zoom out options.

If you look at the viewer’s top-most section, you’ll see a bunch of tools for viewing, editing and sharing your PDF documents. Apart from this, there are also tools that are floating on the top-right side area of your PDF viewer’s screen. Each tool has a specific function. Like, for example, you can use the highlight tool to highlight any text from the PDF. You can also use the annotate tool to insert comments on the PDF. If you want, you can also insert text to any section of your PDF document.

Once you’re done, you can opt to preview the edited PDF file or set it on presentation mode. You can also opt to print it directly from your computer. In addition to this, you also have the option to download the edited file or save it directly to your preferred cloud storage account.

All in all, I can say that Notable PDF is a very decent tool for viewing and sharing PDF files. It is convenient to use plus I like the fact that it supports direct file upload and sharing to Dropbox, Box and Google Drive. It’s also great to know that this PDF viewer can work offline. It also has the essential tools and features that you need for viewing, editing and sharing your PDF files. Plus, all of these are available for free. You aren’t required to upgrade or pay an additional fee.

Just keep in mind that this tool is more suitable for personal use. You cannot also use it to remove or erase certain elements from your PDF document (ex. headers, tables, charts, images, etc.). It should also be noted that this tool lacks options for changing the reading mode style as well as the page layout.

Conclusion and download link

Notable PDF is a very reliable cloud-based PDF viewer with advanced tools and options. It’s a very useful browser extension especially for avid Chrome users. You can use it to quickly view and manage your documents, eBooks and e-manuals at work and even at home. It may lack in certain aspects but considering all of its notable features, it’s truly worth checking out.

Price: Free

Version reviewed: 2.0.2755

Requires: Chrome on Windows XP, Vista, 7 and 8

Notable PDF on Web Store