The demand for PDF editing software has grown by leaps and bounds, as the number of documents converted to a PDF format has increased as well, this trend is sure to continue. A need was felt for an editing utility to address these requirements in the era of digitalization and a tool called free PDF editor emerged.
Our free software allows you to convert PDFs to editable Word documents. There is no special software or add-ons required, everything is embedded in the browser. You’ll be able to view a document at a readable font size, including search and links, while also being able to copy and paste the text into another document. All our documents are fully customizable, allowing you to change fonts and save changes back to the original PDF file.
Do you hate trying to read a PDF on your PC? To make the text bigger, you have to zoom in which causes the images to become distorted. You have to drag the columns and line spacing around just to try and find your place. We know. That is why we wrote this free software that converts PDFs into editable Word documents.
Converting PDF to Word is a useful way and in some cases a necessary way to extract content from your PDF files. Often, we find ourselves in crunch time where we have to write a document and need to use some sample documents that are only available as PDF files. Converting them to Word format could be the solution. However, this problem can often be solved easier than you think. Below you will find some of the best software that allow you to convert PDF to Word documents.
PDF Converter Features
So, what should you look for in a PDF Converter? Here are the top aspects to consider when evaluating which PDF Converter you should use:
- Multiple conversion formats – The best PDF converters should provide you with a great toolset, enabling you to convert PDF documents to a variety of different formats for any occasion.
- Security – In this age, data security is on the tip of everyone’s tongue for a good reason. Keeping personal, or business data safe is incredibly important to avoid any devastating hacks or leaks. In PDF converters, look for the ability to protect documents with passwords, restrict user permissions, and consider whether you want to perform your conversions online, or on your local computer.
- Speed and Efficiency – Your time is precious. Look for features like bulk conversions to convert multiple documents at once. Also consider the use of merging PDFs into one file or removing pages from a PDF before sharing.
- Specificity and Selections – It’s handy to have features which allow you to extract certain text or images from a PDF document.
- Customer Support – Are professionals on hand for any queries or issues you may have?
- Cost – Many PDF Converters come with a cost. A cost usually indicates work which has gone into developing features, interface and usability. Decide which features are most important to you and compare that to the budget you have available.
Adobe
Best for Fast and Efficient PDF to Word Conversion.
As an entity responsible for the invention of PDF in the first place, what better option can there be to convert a PDF than Adobe itself. Adobe offers a robust and comprehensive interface to easily convert any PDF file in no time.
The editable file you get is a flawless copy of the original, with no misplaced words, alignments, or margins. The process for conversion is also very simple. You can either click the ‘select a file button’ on its main page, or simply drag and drop the file you would like converted.
Once selected, Adobe will automatically start the conversion process. Your editable Word file will be saved in your desired folder on the device. You can also try the premium version to convert a Microsoft 365 file, rotate or split PDF file or copy HTML, TXT, and other formats to PDF.
Features
- Fast PDF to Doc Conversion
- Drag and Drop Feature
- Split and Rotate PDF
- Copy HTML, TXT, and other formats to PDF.
Verdict: Adobe qualifies as one of the best PDF to Word converters on the merit of its name alone. The fact that it also performs this task impeccably only makes us recommend it more.
Price: Free, 7-day free trial, $9 per month for the Basic pack, and $14 per month for the Pro pack.
Wondershare PDFElement
A full PDF conversion suite in one neatly designed package
SPECIFICATIONS
Operating system: Windows, macOS, iOS, AndroidTODAY’S BEST DEALSVISIT SITE
REASONS TO BUY
+Great for image-rich PDFs+Supports multiple file types+Document protection
REASONS TO AVOID
-Five-page limit
With this free PDF to Word converter, you can create, convert, edit, and even sign PDF documents. It works on Windows and Mac and has a full-feature word processor much like MS Word that gives you a great deal of control over the documents, text, and images you want to manipulate. You can insert comments anywhere in your file, have someone else review and sign the document once it is ready, and easily share it with collaborators.
There were a few interesting advanced features with this product as well. For example, you can protect specific sections of your document so that only recipients who have the required permissions can see that information, and you can even download an app for iOS and Android to work on your PDF conversions on the go.
UniPDF
Works well with simple documents, but struggles with formatting
SPECIFICATIONS
Operating system: WindowsTODAY’S BEST DEALSVISIT SITE
REASONS TO BUY
+Images preserved quite well+Small, lightweight app
REASONS TO AVOID
-Some text formatting lost-Three-page limit
This free PDF to Word converter was designed for Windows and saves you from issues related to long upload or download times that are commonly seen with various online tools. Since the application works right from your personal terminal, you do not have to trust your documents or information with a third party, which is important if you work with sensitive data.
UniPDF’s conversion accuracy leaves much to be desired, though. In some cases, the converted text can be dramatically different in size compared to the original, and columns sometimes run into each other. Accordingly, UniPDF is best for users who have only the simplest of documents to convert to Word.
Nitro PDF to Word Converter
Great for text, but not a good choice for image-heavy documents
SPECIFICATIONS
Operating system: WindowsTODAY’S BEST DEALSVISIT SITE
REASONS TO BUY
+Easy to learn and use+Creates, edits and converts+Review and annotate documents
REASONS TO AVOID
-Only five conversions per month
With Nitro PDF converter, you can upload batches of files, but your converted files are emailed to you so you need to provide an email address to receive your documents. Also, it is only available as a 14-day trial, and you are restricted to five conversions per month. This is a pretty tight limit that seriously restricts the usefulness of the product, in addition to the fact that it only works on Windows.
This free PDF converter converts text accurately but images are sometimes distorted in the output file. Other potential problems include random spaces or unexpected line breaks appearing in your final document. However, these issues are pretty minor and can be corrected manually unless you have large batches of files to convert at a time.
Smallpdf
Best for Quick and Easy Cloud Conversion.
Smallpdf lives up to its name by offering a very simple, yet advanced tool to convert your PDF files to Doc. The simple Drag and Drop feature allows you to drop any PDF file you like for conversion. The documents are processed without any compromise in quality, and the users can expect a top-quality end result in no time.
Perhaps the feature that really sells Smallpdf, is its ability to perform cloud conversions. Smallpdf is powered by many servers in the cloud that do nothing other than convert PDF to Word files with ease. It also has a very stringent privacy policy in place to ensure that your documents are safe and secure at all times.
Features
- Fast and Easy Conversion
- Drag and Drop features
- Cloud conversion
- Works across all platforms seamlessly.
Verdict: Smallpdf offers an immaculate interface for agile PDF to Word file conversion. It’s an additional offering of cloud conversion and its commitment to user privacy makes this tool worth a try.
Price: 7-day free trial, $12 per month.
PDF to DOC
Best for Simple PDF Conversion and compression.
PDF to DOC greets its users with a simple one-page interface that exhibits all of its features. These features include but are not limited to PDF extraction, compression, PDF merging, and of course conversion.
The tool offers a very basic interface to convert your PDF file into an editable Doc file. You simply upload the file and wait for the conversion process to finish. Your editable Doc will be waiting for you in your desired folder on the device.
Apart from this, you can easily switch to avail the other features such as compression or merging from the home page itself. The tool helps you to upload up to 20 PDF files at a time for conversion.
Features
- PDF Conversion
- PDF Compression
- PDF Extraction
- PDF Merging
Verdict: PDF to DOC is simple and free to use. This is perhaps the best thing to go for it. Despite being free, it doesn’t assault its users with annoying ads or requests for registration. It gets to the point quickly and this is why it has our highest recommendation.
Price: Free
iLovePDF
Best for Powerful and Fast PDF Processing.
iLovePDF is a fantastic looking tool, that lives up to its advanced aesthetics to offer a very powerful PDF processing tool. The tool performs the task of converting a PDF file into an editable Word file very easily.
The two-step procedure simply requires you to select the file you want to be converted, choose the format you want it to be converted in, and wait for the end result.
Apart from the word, you can convert your PDF into a number of usable formats including JPEG, Powerpoint, and Excel. Not just conversion, you can also perform tasks like PDF merge, compression, and Split a PDF with the help of iLovePDF.
Verdict: iLovePDF is an unbelievable tool when it comes to free software available for conversion. Not only you can convert your PDF file into any format you desire, but also perform a variety of other processing features with the utmost ease.
Price: Free
PDF Converter
Best for Agile PDF Conversion and Processing.
Don’t be fooled by its generic looks, PDF Converter has garnered a huge loyal user base – thanks to its simplistic and powerful PDF processing capabilities. The tool follows the tried and tested two-step formula for PDF conversion into Word or any other format for that matter.
However, its biggest strength lies in the extent that it goes to protect a user’s file or document. PDF converter uses 256 bit SSL encryption to keep your files secure. Plus, it also deletes your file from its database upon completion of your task.
Features
- Fast PDF Conversion and Compression.
- 256 bit SSL Encryption
- PDF Merge and Split
- Rotate PDF
Verdict: PDF Converter is more powerful & robust and has the receipts to show for its performance. It can perform your conversion, compression, and other PDF processing tasks with phenomenal ease and hence is worth a try.
Price: $6 per month, $50 per year, $ 99-lifetime version.
How to Convert PDFs With Embedded Text Using Word
Let’s start with PDFs that don’t need OCR, in other words, PDFs with embedded text. The simplest way to convert your PDF is to open it in Microsoft Word and let Word convert the content.
Open it as you would any other file in Word. Launch Word and go to File > Open and select your PDF. Or right-click on the file and select Open With > Microsoft Word. The file will likely take a moment to process and then open as an editable Word document.
This solution works reasonably well, but the content probably won’t look exactly right. The content in a PDFs is “fixed” in one position on the page, and the PDF doesn’t let you insert or remove paragraphs while preserving the flow of the document as you can in a word-processor.
Here’s a list from Microsoft of what may not convert just right:
- tables with cell spacing
- page colors and page borders
- tracked changes
- frames
- footnotes that span more than one page
- endnotes
- audio, video, and PDF active elements
- PDF bookmarks
- PDF tags
- PDF comments
- font effects, like Glow or Shadow (in the Word file, the effects are represented by graphics)
When you open a PDF in Word, you may see a warning:
“Word will now convert your PDF to an editable Word document,” it says. “This may take a while. The resulting Word document will be optimized to allow you to edit the text, so it might not look exactly like the original PDF, especially if the original file contained a lot of graphics.”
That said, the graphics will get pulled in, but they may not be exactly where you want them. And your text may end up in text boxes rather than freely flowing through the page. But at least you’ll have a document that you can work with.
If you want to export it as a PDF when you’re done editing, simply use Word’s Export or Save As menus, and export your document to PDF format.
By the way, this conversion works not only in the Word desktop app but also in the free web app version of Word (found at office.com). You open a PDF in Word Online and it’s viewable, but click the “Edit in Word” link and you may see a file conversion warning:
It’s followed by another warning about changes to the layout, etc. But the content will be there and editable, even if the look went wonky. Give it a try.
Conclusion
Word has always been the most popular word processor for pc and gaining a lot of popularity on Mac. Most people think that it’s a great tool to create, edit, and collaborating documents with others. And also this software is available in all operating systems. But, when you want to open your Word document files on other platform or operating system then you find yourself in trouble. Because, Microsoft has not provide any facility for users to convert doc files into format of Word files. To open the file you can either use converter software or use doc to pdf converter functionalities.
The PDF format has long been the document of choice for many companies and individuals. However, as an industry, we’re moving towards a paperless office, which means that we need to find the best PDF to Word Converter. Even if you’re still printing papers, you can still make the switch by making use of a handy PDF to Word converter.