PDFs are versatile for sharing documents as they can be viewed by almost anyone. They are commonly used for digital manuals, receipts, manuscripts, and other materials that don’t require editing. Imagine PDFs as digital printouts with aesthetic appeal. However, scenarios arise where you need the document in a format other than PDF, such as editing it in Microsoft Word or sharing it with someone who prefers Word to Adobe Acrobat. This guide will explore several ways to convert PDFs into Word documents effectively.
Using Adobe Acrobat
Adobe Acrobat is the gold standard for PDF conversions, ensuring the most accurate formatting. However, it requires a paid subscription. Adobe offers a free 7-day trial of Adobe Acrobat Document Cloud (DC) for one-time conversions. Note that this trial is limited to one-time use, so consider it a single opportunity. If you frequently need conversions, consider subscribing to the full version, priced around $15 per month with an annual commitment or as part of an Adobe Creative Cloud package. Acrobat Reader DC does not support PDF conversions.
Step-by-Step Guide for Acrobat Conversion:
1. Open the desired PDF in Acrobat. PDFs may open automatically in Acrobat based on your settings. Alternatively, if Acrobat is open, click the ‘Tools’ tab at the top.
2. Select ‘Export PDF’ from the right-hand side panel. This option is also found under ‘Create and edit’ on the ‘Tools’ panel.
3. On the next screen, choose ‘Microsoft Word.’ By default, it converts to the newer .docx format. If you need the older .doc format, click the circle next to ‘Word 97-2003 document.’
4. In both cases, you can click the ‘Cog’ symbol to adjust four settings: ‘Layout settings,’ ‘Comments settings,’ ‘Image settings,’ and ‘Text recognition settings.’ Once done, click ‘OK.’
5. Click the ‘Export’ button to finalize the conversion.
6. Adobe will automatically perform text recognition for any scanned text during this step. While not always perfect, it works well for legible text. Remember that you might need minor reformatting in your new Word document afterward.
7. Name your new Word file and save it to your preferred location.
Converting with Microsoft Word
If you have Microsoft Word installed or a Microsoft 365 subscription, this is a decent alternative for PDF-to-Word conversion. However, formatting inconsistencies and inaccurate text may occur. If you have Acrobat or prefer web-based converters, exploring those options is recommended if precise formatting is crucial. Other solutions might deliver better accuracy.
Step-by-Step Guide for Word Conversion:
1. Open Word and click ‘Open’ on the left-hand side.
2. Locate the desired PDF using the three locations under the ‘Personal and Other locations’ headers: ‘OneDrive,’ ‘This PC,’ or ‘Browse.’
3. Select the PDF you want to convert, similar to opening a Word file. Word will display a notification indicating that it will convert the PDF into an editable Word document.
4. This process may take some time, and the converted document might differ from the original PDF due to formatting differences. Click ‘OK’ to continue.
5. Word will convert the document and open it in a Word file. Review the formatting and ensure you can edit the document without any issues related to graphics or text behaving strangely. If everything looks good, you are ready to go.
Using Web Apps
For users who don’t wish to purchase Acrobat or Microsoft 365, several freemium programs are available for converting PDFs to Word files. Simply upload your file, select a conversion process, and begin. These programs can also send converted PDFs to various locations, from email to cloud storage.
Popular Web Apps for Conversion:
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Nitro PDF to Word:
This program conveniently emails the Word file to a specified address, making it suitable for collaboration on business or school projects. This free online service sends a Word file to your email, and you can also download the software for free with a 14-day trial.*
Smallpdf:
Smallpdf is known for its speed, simplicity, and free service—all desirable qualities for a web app. It also allows uploading and exporting directly to cloud storage services like Dropbox or Google Drive. Smallpdf prioritizes privacy by automatically deleting all uploads after an hour. The only drawback is the free limit of two conversion tasks per day.*
LightPDF:
LightPDF stands out as a top document converter. This free and user-friendly tool converts PDFs into Word files, PNG, JPG, PPT, or TXT, and can also convert back to PDF (except for TXT). When you finish converting files, the converter automatically deletes uploaded files if you used the service without logging in. Logged-in users can manually delete files from their accounts.*
FormSwift PDF Editor:
FormSwift PDF Editor simplifies the process. It enables opening a PDF file and exporting it as a .docx file. If you need to edit the PDF file before exporting it to .docx, you can do so directly. It offers a free trial period to create an account for unrestricted editing needs. You can also send edited files to your email or a colleague.In addition to the steps outlined above, you can refer to our guide on the best PDF editors for assistance in choosing the right editor for your specific needs. We also have additional guides on saving a webpage as a PDF and printing to PDF in Windows.
