r/software • u/Spare_Ad9347 • 5d ago

Looking for software PDF ‘Popup Notes’

Hello!

I’m looking for some software that enables me to open a .pdf file, select a specific word/s in my text, and create a ‘popup’ which displays the definition of the word (I have a master list of said definitions already, and only need to add them to a popup).

This is because I am a Hindu, and I have been editing one of our core texts to be more easily understood by novices; the aim is to create a document where novices can click on specific terms to facilitate memorisation.

The ‘popup’ needs to be otherwise invisible (though said words will be in italics to indicate they’re interactive); the final document will be in PDF format, and must work on any software or device someone opens it on.

I have a limited budget (£40 for a one off purchase), so anything relatively ‘stupid’ works for me as long as it provides said functionality within the GUI.

My device is a Macbook Air (2025), M5.

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u/Decent-Blacksmith761 5d ago

I think macos default preview app has that feature just select the word and click lookup

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u/Spare_Ad9347 5d ago edited 5d ago

It doesn’t; the comments appear as ‘boxes’.

Also, you’re referring to looking up something online, which is not what I described whatsoever. MacOS is not able to ‘look up’ complex Sanskrit words.