PDF to Word Converter — Get Clean Conversions

Quick start: the safest path #

1. Start with a clean source PDF. If it’s a scan, run OCR first (see below).
2. Use a high-quality converter (try our PDF Converter) to export to .docx.
3. Open in Word and apply styles (Heading 1/2, Normal) to normalize spacing.
4. Fix tables and images (set “Preferred width” to % and “In line with text”).
5. Export back to PDF with fonts embedded and “Optimize for electronic distribution”.

Why PDF → Word can get messy #

• PDFs are final-form (positioned boxes). Converting to flow-based DOCX is an interpretation.
• Fonts missing → Word substitutes fonts; spacing and page breaks shift.
• Tables drawn as shapes → cells become misaligned or turn into images.
• Scanned PDFs → just pictures until you run OCR; no “real” text exists.

Good news: the right converter + a 1-minute cleanup gets you 95% there.

Best methods to convert PDF ↔ DOCX #

1) ToolsUseful PDF Converter (fast & privacy-friendly)

Go to PDF Converter. Upload your file and export to DOCX. We aim to preserve text, lists, links, and tables while keeping images compressed for editing speed.

2) Microsoft Word (Open → PDF)

Open Word → File → Open → pick your PDF. Word converts it to an editable DOCX. Great for text-heavy docs. You may still need to fix tables and headings.

3) Google Docs (import PDF)

Drive → Upload PDF → Open with Google Docs. Handy in a browser, but complex layouts may shift more than Word.

4) Adobe Acrobat (Export PDF)

Use Export PDF → Word. Often excellent with tricky layouts—but a paid tool in many cases.

How to preserve tables, fonts, images, and lists #

Tables

• Right-click table → Table Properties → set width in % (not fixed px) for reflow.
• Remove extra nested tables; combine rows/columns rather than stacking.

Fonts

• Install the original fonts if you have them. If not, pick a close match (e.g., Calibri ↔ Source Sans).
• Use Styles (Heading 1/2/3, Normal) instead of manual font sizing; this stabilizes spacing.

Images

• Set images to In line with text to avoid unexpected jumps; use Square wrap only if needed.
• Compress to 150–220 ppi for screen PDFs; 300 ppi for print. Avoid re-saving lossy images multiple times.

Lists

• Convert fake bullets (● as text) to true Word lists for consistent indent/alignment.
• Keep list styles simple (● or 1.)—exotic bullets can shift on export.

Scanned PDFs & OCR (make images become real text) #

If your PDF is a scan, it’s just images. Run OCR first:

• Try our PDF Converter with OCR enabled (if available in your region).
• Or use Acrobat: Scan & OCR → Recognize Text. Choose the correct language.

Then convert to DOCX. Without OCR, you’ll get a DOCX full of images, not editable text.

Export back to PDF the right way #

1. In Word: File → Save As → PDF (or Export → Create PDF/XPS).
2. Embed fonts when possible (“ISO 19005-1 (PDF/A)” can help for archiving).
3. For on-screen PDFs, choose Optimize for electronic distribution and 150–220 ppi images.
4. Add document properties and a title (helps SEO/metadata when shared).

Need to assemble a final pack? Use Merge PDF and Split PDF.

1-minute cleanup checklist (after conversion) #

• Apply Heading 1/2 to titles and sections.
• Normalize body text to Normal style, 1.15–1.2 line spacing.
• Set images In line with text; set alt text if exporting for accessibility.
• Fix tables: set % width, center align header row, avoid nested tables.
• Run Spelling & Grammar once; scan for weird characters from OCR.

Troubleshooting #

Text overlaps or jumps around: switch images to In line with text; remove text boxes.

Tables exploded into shapes: recreate the table and paste cell content; it’s faster than fighting shapes.

Fonts look off: install the original font or choose a metrically similar alternative; reapply styles.

File size too big: compress images on export; avoid huge background images.

FAQ #

What’s the best way to convert PDFs with heavy tables?

Try Acrobat Export or our PDF Converter, then fix column widths in Word using % sizes.

Can I keep the exact same fonts?

Yes—if the fonts are installed or embedded. If missing, Word substitutes them; install the originals when possible.

How do I make the final PDF small but sharp?

Export with 150–220 ppi images and keep vector graphics (logos, charts) as vectors when possible.