It’s important to be able to convert a document from PDF to a word document, when the need should arise. While there are many good reasons for converting pdf to word format, one of the most common is – handing over your content to someone else. Let’s imagine that you’ve been using a PDF viewer to read and update documents and then you decide you want to share a document with someone else. You can’t just email them the PDF file because they won’t be able to open and view it. Therefore, sharing a document with others whom you don’t know personally is big time bang for your buck so converting pdf to word format makes sense.
Are you curious about how to convert a PDF to an editable Word document? or How to Convert From PDF to a Word Document? Well, I was searching around the Internet and followed up on numerous sources both in the form of blogs, portal and many more. For that article I have gathered some most powerful and trustworthy ways by which you can easily convert your PDF files into editable word DOC files.
You can convert PDF to a Word document to edit it and make changes. This process requires the use of free software and takes a few steps, but it’s easy to learn. There are many advantages to converting your PDFs into Word documents, including being able to modify them as you please at any time, making edits such as font size or color, adding charts and graphs, inserting tables into the document and more.
If you do not have the right software or do not want to buy it, you can still convert your PDF files into Word documents. This guide looks at the different methods you can use to convert PDF files into Microsoft Word (DOC) or editable text formats.
Change PDF to Word with Microsoft Word
If you already have Microsoft Office software (2013 or above version) installed on your computer, you don’t need to find another way to convert your PDF files. Microsoft Word has a built-in feature called “PDF Reflow” that allows users to change PDF format to editable Word.doc. As long as the layout of your PDF files is not complicated. Now let’s see how to open a PDF in Word and convert it.
Step 1. Launch Microsoft Word, click “File”.
Step 2. Open PDF on Microsoft Word
On the pop-up menu bar, click “Open”. You can choose PDF files on your computer, OneDrive or other locations on web or your local device. Choose any PDF file you want to convert and click “Open”.
Tips
“If your PDF files became invisible in the target folder, please select “All Files” on the open dialog.”
Step 3. Confirm and start converting PDF
Microsoft will show you a warning message: “Word will now convert your PDF to an editable Word document. This may take a while. The resulting Word document will be optimized to allow you to edit the text, sot it might not look exactly like the original PDF, especially if the original file contains lots of graphics.”
Click “OK” to start the converting process.
Step 4. Check the converted Word document
Microsoft Word will automatically transfer the contents of the PDF file into a Word.doc and open it. Take a good look at the text and formatting to see if the contents you want to edit are all there.
Tips
“In this way, images can’t be saved on the new Word document. If you need to change graphics along with all texts on the PDF to Word, you can use a PDF converter like and Adobe Acrobat.”
Download A Desktop PDF to Word Converter
A desktop PDF to Word converter is not as convenient as online ones, but it works when you don’t have an Internet connection. There is a bunch of desktop PDF to Word converters like PDFeements, SmallPDF, LightPDF, PDF Candy, etc. You can free download them and try if they fit your requirements. Today we’ll use PDFelement as an example.
Step 1. Free download the PDFelement and install it to your Windows or Mac computer.DownloadDownload
Step 2. Open PDF file
Launch the program and click “Open File” to choose files from your computer, or you can simply drag and drop the PDF file you want to convert into the interface.
Step 2. Perform OCR recognition (Scanned PDF only)
If your PDF file is a scanned one, you need to use OCR to recognize the texts before the conversion. For normal PDF conversion, you can skip this step and go directly to step 3. Click “Tool” on the top menu bar. Choose “OCR Text Recognition” on the drop-down menu.
Step 3. Convert PDF to Word
Once your PDF file was opened, click “File” on the top menu bar, then click “Export to” and choose “Word” as output format. Choose an output folder you want to save the converted Word document. When you’re done, click “Convert” button to start the converting process. Your PDF file will be changed into Word.doc in seconds.
Convert PDF to Word with Adobe Acrobat
Adobe Acrobat is a better option when it comes to converting image-contained PDFs and scanned PDFs. When you convert scans to Word in Acrobat, the original formatting gets well maintained – even in complicated layouts. No need to spend time to adjust text and images.
Step 1. Open a PDF file in Acrobat.
Step 2. Click on the Export PDF tool in the right pane.
Step 3. Choose Microsoft Word as your export format, and then click on Word Document.
You can click on the setting cog to choose your converted Word options, such as layout, comments, image and recognition settings.
Step 4. Click “Export”. Acrobat will run text recognition automatically if your PDF contains scanned text.
Step 5. Select a location where you want to save the file, name your new Word file, and then click “Save”.
Adobe offers a seven-day free trial of Adobe Acrobat Document Cloud (DC). You can use the trial version for a one-time conversion if you don’t need a plan for further usage.
Convert a PDF to a Word Document Using Microsoft Word
You can also convert your PDF to a Word document using just Microsoft Word. Converting in Word often leads to style and formatting issues, so it’s not always the most reliable method. However, it certainly works well enough for simple documents or when you just need to get stuff into an editable format.
Click “File” on the Word ribbon.
In the sidebar that opens, click the “Open” button.
On the Open page, browse to wherever your PDF is stored (This PC, OneDrive, whatever).
Locate and select your PDF, and then click the “Open” button.
A warning pop ups, indicating that your new document may lose some of the formatting it had as a PDF. Don’t worry. Your original PDF will remain intact; this is just letting you know that the new Word document you’re creating from the PDF might not look exactly the same. Click the “OK” button.
Word converts the PDF and opens up your new Word document right away.
Convert a PDF to a Word Document Using Google Docs
Google Docs provides another safe and reliable way to convert your PDF to a Word document. It’s a two-step process where you first convert the file to a Google Docs document, and then convert it to a Word document—so you’ll probably lose some formatting along the way. If you have Word, you’re really better off just doing it in Word. But, this method can be useful if you don’t have Word, but need to convert a PDF to a Word document you plan to send along to someone else.
Open up your Google Drive, and then click the “New” button.
Click the “File Upload” option.
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Locate your PDF file, and then click the “Open” button.
Your new file will now appear in your Google Drive.
Next, right click your file in Google Drive, click the “Open With” menu, and then click the “Google Docs” option.
Your file is now open as a Google Doc document.
Now, click the “File” menu.
Click the “Download As” menu, and then click the “Word Document (.docx)” option.
Your Google Docs file will be converted to Word format and downloaded to your local PC as a Word document.
Converting a PDF to Word
To convert a PDF to Word (natively using only Word):
- In Word, click the File tab in the Ribbon and select Open.
- Double-click This PC. A dialog box appears.
- Navigate to the location of the PDF file.
- Click the PDF file and click Open or double-click the file. The PDF file will open in Word and a dialog box appears indicating that reformatting may occur and line and page breaks may not appear as expected.
- Click OK.
- If the document opens in Protected View, click Enable Content and then click OK again.
- Reformat the document as necessary.
The following dialog box appears when you open a PDF and after enabling content:
Issues and limitations
Documents that were originally created in Microsoft Word and then saved as a PDF tend to convert fairly well.
Tables may not convert as expected and may need to be reformatted.
Documents that were scanned as a PDF will likely convert as an image, not an editable document.
Be sure to check for page breaks in the wrong location and to run a spell check.
Use A Free Online PDF to Word Converter
One of the most convenient ways to convert your PDF documents is to use an online PDF converter for free. In this way, you don’t have to install any software or pay for a dine. All-in-one Online PDF Converter – EasePDF
- Convert, edit and compress PDF files in just a few clicks
- Powerful PDF tools for freely manage PDF files online
Register for FreeUpgrade to Premium Since $3.33/mo.
Step 1. Go to the EasePDF homepage.
Open your web browser and type in easepdf.com, click PDF to Word tab.
Step 2. Upload your PDF file(s)
Click “Add File(s)” to upload your PDF file(s). There are two ways to access your document. You can upload it from your local device, or open it from your Google Drive, Dropbox or any other URL.
EasePDF supports batch convert PDF to Word, so you can upload and process multiple files at one time.
Step 3. Convert PDF to Word
Click “Convert” button to start converting your PDF file(s). The processing time depends on your file’s size, normally it only takes seconds.
Step 4. Download the converted Word document(s)
Click “Download” button to save the file(s) to your device.
Tips
“Now you’ve got your PDF successfully converted to Word. You can click “Start Over” to start another converting task or try other tools such as JPG to PDF Converter, Split PDF, Compress PDF, etc. EasePDF can help you convert scanned PDF as well.”
Besides EasePDF, there are hundreds of online PDF converters out there, each with different functions. To choose the perfect converter to assist your daily PDF work, you might want to pay attention to these criteria: elements extraction, layout preservation, formats option, converting speed, security, price, etc. We have an article deliberating 9 Tips for Choosing A Best PDF Converter, it might be helpful.
Use Google PDF to Word Converter
Google Docs is an online word processor that helps people create and format documents. With it, you can easily create and edit Word documents online. Moreover, Google Docs can open PDF files and save as other formats like docx, rtf, txt, epub, etc. Therefore, uses always called Google Docs “Google PDF to Word Converter”, “Google PDF Editor”, etc. Now let’s see how it works on PDF to DOCX conversion.
Step 1. Go to Google Docs and log in with Google account.
Step 2. Click the file icon to upload your PDF file.
You can open a file from your Google Drive or upload from your device.
Step 3. Open with Google Docs
Once the file is opened, click the little triangle tab beside “Open with Google Docs”, and choose “Google Docs” on the dropdown list.
Step 4. Save PDF as Word
Click “File” on the top bar of the interface, click “Download” on the drop-down box, then choose “Microsoft Word (.docx)”. The converted Word document will be downloaded to your device immediately.
Change PDF to Word with Microsoft Word
If you already have Microsoft Office software (2013 or above version) installed on your computer, you don’t need to find another way to convert your PDF files. Microsoft Word has a built-in feature called “PDF Reflow” that allows users to change PDF format to editable Word.doc. As long as the layout of your PDF files is not complicated. Now let’s see how to open a PDF in Word and convert it.
Step 1. Launch Microsoft Word, click “File”.
Step 2. Open PDF on Microsoft Word
On the pop-up menu bar, click “Open”. You can choose PDF files on your computer, OneDrive or other locations on web or your local device. Choose any PDF file you want to convert and click “Open”.
Tips
“If your PDF files became invisible in the target folder, please select “All Files” on the open dialog.”
Step 3. Confirm and start converting PDF
Microsoft will show you a warning message: “Word will now convert your PDF to an editable Word document. This may take a while. The resulting Word document will be optimized to allow you to edit the text, sot it might not look exactly like the original PDF, especially if the original file contains lots of graphics.”
Click “OK” to start the converting process.
Step 4. Check the converted Word document
Microsoft Word will automatically transfer the contents of the PDF file into a Word.doc and open it. Take a good look at the text and formatting to see if the contents you want to edit are all there.
Conclusion
The PDF is one of the most widely used formats for storing different types of documents and information. There are many advantages in using a PDF; you can use keywords, there are no file size issues to worry about and you can even password-protect your documents. However, if you need to edit or convert a file that is stored in a PDF format then things become slightly more difficult. For example, you may want to change the font type or size on a PDF document but would need to do some extra work to make this happen.
Is your job to create, edit and review lots of documents that are in PDF format? Does it take up a lot of time to convert every one of them into Word? Don’t put up with this any longer! We want to share with you 6 different ways on how to convert PDF to Word. With these methods you can be sure that all your PDF files will be converted as easily as possible, so you don’t have to deal with all the hassle anymore.