How to Convert PDF to Word
This how-to convert PDF to Word tutorial is suitable for users Word 2016, Word 2019, and Word for Microsoft 365
OBJECTIVE
Convert PDF File to a Microsoft Word Document.
PDF FILES EXPLAINED
PDF files have been around for years and have been the ‘go-to’ file format to protect a document from editing or accidental changes.
The process of converting a file to a PDF is well-documented. Most of the Microsoft applications have an ‘Export’ tool in the backstage area that helps you quickly save any file as a PDF file.
However, what if you convert a file to a PDF and then notice a spelling error or something that needs to be changed? Wouldn’t it be cool if we could quickly convert the PDF back to a Word document to fix the error?
The good news is, we can. Word makes it simple to convert a PDF back to a document but there are a few things you should be aware of.
Firstly, the conversion is not always perfect. You may notice text that isn’t quite aligned correctly, or images might not look the same as they did in the PDF. For the most part, the conversation is pretty accurate, but it’s always worth doing a visual check and correcting manually anything that doesn’t look quite right.
Secondly, if the PDF is very graphics-heavy, the conversation can take a bit of time. In general, I haven’t noticed this to be too much of an issue, but it’s something to be aware of if you have a PDF file that contains a lot of HD images, charts, icons, shapes, and drawings.
Video Tutorial
How to CONVERT A PDF TO WORD
There are two methods I use for converting PDF files to Word documents.
The backstage area
- Click File.
- Select Open from the list on the left.
- Browse to the folder where the PDF is saved.
- Select the file and click Open.
A warning message will display. This warning message tells you that you are about to convert a PDF to a Word document, and it might take a while. Word will optimize the document to allow you to edit the text, so it might not look like the original PDF, particularly if it contains lots of graphics.
- Click OK.
Microsoft Word will now convert the PDF file. Check the resulting document and make any manual adjustments where necessary.
Drag and drop
The second way of converting a PDF file to Word document is to use the drag and drop method.
- Open Word.
- Drag the application to the right-hand side of the screen to snap it (optional).
- Drag and drop the PDF file onto the Word window.
The same warning message will be displayed.
NOTE: If you want to suppress this message, place a tick in the ‘Don’t show this message again’ check box.
The PDF file will now be converted. Check the resulting document and make any manual adjustments where necessary.
For more information relating to converting PDF files to other file formats, check out the following links:
How-ToGeek – How to Convert PDF Files and Images into Google Docs Documents
Power Spreadsheets – Convert PDF To Excel: 3 Easy Methods You Can Use Right Now
Wondershare – How to Open PDF in Pages on Mac (Including macOS 11)
Fore more Microsoft Word tutorials take a look here:
Or, learn Microsoft Word with Simon Sez IT with a Simon Sez IT Membership.
Deborah Ashby
Deborah Ashby is a TAP Accredited IT Trainer, specializing in the design, delivery, and facilitation of Microsoft courses both online and in the classroom. She has over 11 years of IT Training Experience and 24 years in the IT Industry. To date, she's trained over 10,000 people in the UK and overseas at companies such as HMRC, the Metropolitan Police, Parliament, SKY, Microsoft, Kew Gardens, Norton Rose Fulbright LLP. She's a qualified MOS Master for 2010, 2013, and 2016 editions of Microsoft Office and is COLF and TAP Accredited and a member of The British Learning Institute.