PDFs are not all the same
A text-based PDF contains selectable text and is usually easier to convert into an editable Word document. A scanned PDF is often a collection of images, so optical character recognition (OCR) may be required.
Convert a PDF
- Open PDF to Word.
- Select a supported PDF.
- Start conversion and wait for processing to finish.
- Open the DOCX output and check headings, tables, spacing and page breaks.
Why formatting can change
PDF is designed for fixed visual presentation while Word is designed for reflowable editing. Complex columns, forms, unusual fonts and scanned pages can therefore require manual correction after conversion.
Best practice
Keep the original PDF, verify important numbers and names, and do not assume that a converted document is identical to the source. For contracts or official records, compare the output carefully.