Converting PDF to Word: What to Expect

Turning a PDF back into an editable Word document is incredibly handy, but the results depend a lot on how the original PDF was made. Here is what to keep in mind for the best outcome.

Text-based vs scanned PDFs

A PDF created from a Word file or another digital source converts cleanly, because the text is already there. A scanned PDF is really just an image, so you should run it through OCR first to make the text recognisable.

Steps to convert

  1. Open the PDF to Word tool.
  2. Upload your PDF and click Process.
  3. Download the editable DOCX and open it in Word or any compatible editor.

Getting better results

Simple, text-heavy layouts convert almost perfectly. Complex designs with many columns, tables, or graphics may need a little cleanup afterwards. For scanned documents, use the OCR PDF tool first, then convert.