How to Convert a PDF to Word (and Edit the Text)

To convert a PDF to Word, open the PDF to Word tool, add your file and download the .docx. You get the text as editable paragraphs, but tables and pictures are not rebuilt, so check the result.

PDFs are great for sharing because they look the same everywhere. They are not so great when you need to change something. Fixing a typo, reusing a paragraph or updating a price in a PDF is awkward, so many people convert it to Word, make the changes there, and save it again.

This guide explains how to convert a PDF to Word for free, what to expect from the result, and how to deal with the tricky cases like scans.

How do I convert a PDF to Word?

1. Open PDF to Word.
2. Click Select PDF file, or drop your PDF onto the page.
3. Click Convert to Word.
4. Click Download Word file.
5. Open the .docx file in Word, Google Docs, LibreOffice or Pages and edit it.

The conversion happens in your browser, so your document is never uploaded.

What do I get after converting?

You get all the text from your PDF as editable paragraphs, with headings, bold and italic kept where possible. That is perfect for documents that are mostly text: letters, articles, reports, CVs and contracts.

Be realistic about what is not rebuilt:

• Tables are not recreated as Word tables.
• Pictures and logos are not included.
• Complex layouts, such as multiple columns, text boxes and magazine-style pages, will not match the original.

After converting, scroll through the Word file once to check it, and tidy up anything that moved.

What if my PDF is a scan?

A scanned PDF is a photograph of a page. There is no real text inside it, so there is nothing to convert, and the tool will tell you so. The fix is to give the PDF a text layer first, using OCR (optical character recognition):

1. Open OCR PDF and add your scanned file.
2. Choose the language of the document, then click Make PDF searchable.
3. Download the searchable PDF.
4. Open PDF to Word and convert that new file.

OCR works best on clear, straight, black-on-white pages. Blurry photos, handwriting and pages that are sideways can produce mistakes, so proofread the Word file carefully. You can read more in Why you can't edit text in a scanned PDF.

Are there other ways to convert a PDF to Word?

Yes. Each has trade-offs:

• Microsoft Word. Recent versions of Word can open a PDF directly (choose File → Open) and convert it. It handles layouts better than a basic converter, but it can still move things around.
• Google Docs. Upload the PDF to Google Drive and open it with Google Docs. It can read text from scans too, but your file goes to Google's servers.
• Adobe Acrobat. The paid version exports to Word with good layout, if you already have it.

A browser tool is the quickest option when you just need the text and want to keep the file on your device.

How can I get the best result?

• Start with a real PDF. A PDF exported from Word or another program converts better than one made by scanning.
• Convert only what you need. If you need a single section, split the PDF first so there is less to clean up.
• Use standard fonts. Unusual fonts may be replaced when you open the Word file.
• Proofread. Always read through the converted document, especially numbers and names.

What if I need an exact, fully editable copy?

When the layout, tables and pictures all matter, a converter is not enough. Our experts can recreate your PDF as a fully editable Word file with the same layout, tables and pictures, and they can retype difficult scans by hand. Ask for a quote and you will see the price before any work starts.