How to use PDF to Word
- Choose a PDF. A preview of its first pages appears.
- For scanned pages, tick Recognise text and pick their language.
- Press Convert to Word and open the .docx in Word, Google Docs or LibreOffice.
What converts well, and what may need tidying
| In the PDF | In the Word file |
|---|---|
| Ordinary text: letters, reports, contracts | Editable paragraphs in the same fonts, sizes, colours, bold and italic. Lines are joined into paragraphs, so the text reflows when you edit it. |
| Two-column layouts | Text in two columns, in reading order. |
| Tables | Word tables; ruled lines become cell borders. |
| Photos, charts and diagrams | Pictures in the same place. Charts become pictures, not editable charts. |
| Scanned pages | Text, when you tick Recognise text. Clean, straight, high-contrast scans work best. Handwriting is not read reliably. |
| Magazine-style designs and text over pictures | Usually readable, but expect to fix some spacing and positions by hand. |
If a font used in the PDF is not installed on your computer, Word shows a similar one in its place.
Choosing the right converter
For the numbers in tables, PDF to Excel keeps amounts as real numbers. For slides, PDF to PowerPoint keeps each page's design. For plain text without formatting, PDF to Text is quicker. To change a few words without converting at all, Edit PDF edits the PDF itself.
Your files stay private
EditPDF Online runs in your browser on Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone and Android, using open-source libraries. Your documents are never uploaded, stored or seen by us.
Frequently asked questions
Will the Word file look like the PDF?
The text is rebuilt as real paragraphs, so you can edit it and it reflows. Fonts, sizes, colours, bold and italic, headings, two-column layouts, tables and pictures are carried over, and page sizes and margins follow each PDF page. Elaborate designs may need some tidying.
Can it convert scanned PDFs?
Yes. Tick Recognise text: the words on scanned pages are read in your browser and placed in the document as text.
What happens to charts and drawings?
They are kept as pictures in the right place, so the document reads like the original.
Can I turn the Word file back into a PDF?
Yes. In Word choose File, then Save As or Export, and pick PDF. Google Docs and LibreOffice have the same option.
Is this tool really free?
Yes. It is free with no signup, no watermark and no daily limits.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. All processing happens in your browser, so your files never leave your device.