Converting a PDF to Word is often a pressing need: a paper to correct, a contract to adjust, a resume to update... and you want an editable Word document without struggling with the layout. The simplicity of converting a PDF to Word with an online converter lets you quickly get an editable file without any hassle.
On this page, you'll find 3 quick methods (free if needed), the limits to be aware of (size, number of conversions, PDF file security), and the special case of scanned PDFs (OCR).
Using a PDF to Word converter is compatible with all operating systems: macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, and Linux, allowing you to use it anywhere, no matter your device.
Easily Convert a PDF to Word (3 methods depending on your situation)
1. Online Conversion (the most straightforward, just a few clicks)
Perfect if your PDF already contains "selectable" text and you want a free online PDF to Word converter without installing anything.
⚡ Open an online converter service (e.g., Adobe Acrobat Online, Smallpdf, iLovePDF) for a quick and easy-to-access service
📄 Import your file (drag and drop)
🧩 Start the PDF to Word conversion
⬇️ Download the DOCX file and start editing
After conversion, you can download the converted Word file with one click.
Note: Some services claim to preserve formatting (fonts, images, alignments), but the result also depends on the complexity of the PDF.
2. Open the PDF in Microsoft Word (no website, handy at the office)
Do you have Word on your PC/Mac? You can try opening the PDF directly.
📂 Word → Open → select your PDF
🛠️ Word converts it into an editable document
✍️ You often adjust line breaks, tables, spacing
Word itself warns that some elements may not convert well (complex tables, notes, frames, interactive elements...).
3. Google Docs (useful for extracting text, especially from a scan)
If you have a scanned PDF and want to extract the text first:
☁️ Upload to Google Drive
🧾 "Open with Google Docs"
✂️ You get the text... but the formatting may shift (lists, tables, columns often poorly detected)
For example, if you received a scanned paper contract in PDF, you can import it into Google Drive, open it with Google Docs to let the OCR technology recognize the text, then export it in Word format for easy editing.
Which PDF Converter to Choose (layout, OCR, limits) 🎯
Summary: Which tool to choose based on your priorities?
Tool 🧰
Overall Rating ⭐
Layout 🎯
OCR (Scans) 🧠
Limits ⚠️
Security 🔒
Adobe Acrobat
4.8/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reference. Often preserves fonts, columns, and complex layouts.
Included (pro engine). Good for straightening and extracting text from scans.
Strict quota in free version (often 1 doc/24h) + advanced options are paid.
High. Secure processing + automatic deletion after processing.
Smallpdf
4.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Very good. Smooth and clean conversion on common documents.
Effective, but OCR is mainly interesting in Pro version.
Quota limits in free version + file size may block large PDFs.
Secure. GDPR compliant, TLS encryption, auto-deletion after 1 hour.
Sejda
4.3/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Very decent. Good balance of fidelity/speed, even on "loaded" PDFs.
Available on certain paths (variable results depending on scan quality).
Limited free use (tasks/day, size, pages) + limited batch processing.
Good. Online processing with automatic deletion.
iLovePDF
4.2/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Decent for simple documents (text + images).
OCR mainly for Premium version or via dedicated tool.
Batch conversion limited in free version + quotas based on usage.
100% secure. SSL + permanent deletion after 2 hours.
PDFfiller
4.1/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Good. Solid result + handy if you edit before/after conversion.
OCR offered depending on the plan (useful for scanned documents).
Full access via subscription + limits in trial/free version.
Good. Privacy controls + management via online space.
Foxit
4.0/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Good. Faithful conversion on most documents.
OCR available depending on the chosen version.
Limits on the free version, advanced features are paid.
High. Auto-deletion of original and converted files.
Free PDF Convert
3.8/5 ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Decent on simple documents.
Basic OCR, variable results.
Significant ads and limits on the free version.
256-bit SSL encryption for file protection.
Microsoft Word
3.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Variable. Very good on "simple" text, less reliable on tables.
Unreliable on scans without prior OCR.
Frequent shifts on complex graphics and columns.
Maximum. Local processing (offline).
Google Docs
2.5/5 ⭐⭐☆☆☆
Basic. Often loses formatting (tables/columns).
Included (auto) but rudimentary on poor quality scans.
No column management + systematic retouching.
Requires Google Drive Cloud usage.
Data and personal information protection is ensured by most of these tools through secure servers, GDPR compliance, ISO/IEC 27001 standards, SSL/TLS encryption, and automatic file deletion after processing.
The majority of PDF to Word converters are compatible with all computers (Windows, macOS, Linux) as well as mobile devices running Android and iOS, allowing you to convert your files wherever you are.
Does Word Preserve the PDF Layout Well?
In real life: it depends.
If your PDF is a simple document (text + headings + images), the formatting preservation can be very good with a good conversion tool. Some tools even preserve the layout better thanks to their advanced technology, ensuring a faithful reproduction of the original document.
If your PDF looks like a brochure (columns, complex tables, frames, notes), you'll often have some cleanup to do. Word also lists "problematic" elements (notes over several pages, frames, tables with spacing, active elements...).
Classic scenario: a student gets a scanned handout, starts a conversion, and ends up with 200 line breaks in the wrong place. Here, OCR helps... but perfect layout is rarely "MAGIC" on a scan.
Limitations: Size, Number of Conversions, and What Often Blocks
The most common limits:
📦 Max file size (especially in free version)
🔁 Daily quotas (convert 1–2 files, then paywall)
🧠 OCR sometimes reserved for paid plans (especially for scanned PDF → Word)
Examples (to give you an idea):
Adobe mentions transaction limits on certain periods/free offers (e.g., conversion "1 file / 24h").
Smallpdf highlights online conversion, but many users report daily limits in the free version.
Do You Need to Download Software, or Is Everything Done Online?
You have both options:
🌐 Online Conversion: nothing to install, quick (Adobe/Smallpdf/iLovePDF).
💻 Locally: Word (or Acrobat desktop if you have it). Advantage: better control, and useful if strict confidentiality is needed.
Scanned PDFs: Does It Really Work (OCR)?
Yes, but you need the right mode: OCR = Optical Character Recognition.
Adobe offers an OCR tool online to make the PDF "searchable" (text recognized).
Smallpdf also offers an OCR page, with possible limits in free version.
iLovePDF indicates that OCR for converting a scan to Word is often a Premium option.
Google Docs can extract text, but the structure (tables/columns) often goes awry.
Simple tip: the clearer the scan, the cleaner the OCR. If the document is blurry or taken at an angle, expect to make corrections.
Common Problems After Conversion + Fixes 🧩
Post-Conversion Troubleshooting Guide: Symptoms and Remedies
Problem 😵
Technical Cause 🔍
Quick Fix ✅
Difficulty Level 🛠️
Line breaks everywhere (↩️)
The PDF forces a line break at the end of each visual line instead of creating smooth paragraphs.
Use Find/Replace in Word: replace ^p with a space (by text block).
⭐☆☆ (Easy)
"Exploded" tables (📊)
The PDF borders are interpreted as drawings (lines) and not as a table structure.
First convert the PDF to Excel, then copy-paste the table to Word to keep the structure.
⭐⭐☆ (Medium)
Weird fonts (🔤)
The original font is not installed on your PC; Word uses a substitute font (often Calibri).
Select all (Ctrl+A) and force a standard font like Arial or Times New Roman.
⭐☆☆ (Easy)
Non-editable "Image" text
The PDF is a pure scan without a text layer.
Re-run the conversion with the OCR (Character Recognition) option enabled.
⭐⭐☆ (Medium)
Missing images (🖼️)
"Floating" or grouped objects that the conversion algorithm couldn't isolate.
Take a screenshot of the original PDF and manually insert it into Word at the missing spot.
⭐☆☆ (Easy)
List of the Best PDF to Word Conversion Tools
Here’s a list of popular tools to convert PDFs to Word (DOCX):
1. pdfFiller.
The best solution if you want to convert a PDF to Word while keeping the ability to edit the document directly (handy when you need to quickly fix a file before or after conversion).
Features
Conversion PDF → Word (DOCX) and other common formats.
Built-in PDF editing (add text, adjust fields, fix elements).
Useful PDF tools: merge, split, rearrange pages as needed.
OCR option depending on the plan (useful if your PDF is scanned).
Pricing
Paid subscription (various plans based on features).
Free trial usually offered (depending on current offers).
2. Adobe Acrobat (online).
The best solution for converting a PDF to Word with good formatting preservation (when the PDF is “clean”: text + images + titles).
Features
Conversion PDF → Word (DOCX) directly online.
Often accurate results on reports, contracts, office documents.
Conversion to Word/Excel depending on the chosen plan.
OCR possible via Acrobat offers/solutions (useful for scanned PDFs).
Pricing
“Export PDF” offer (annual) for Word/Excel conversions.
“Acrobat Pro” offer (monthly/annual) for advanced features.
3. Smallpdf.
The easiest for converting + downloading in a few clicks, on PC/Mac/Linux, without setup.
Features
Conversion PDF → Word via drag-and-drop.
OCR available (handy for scanned PDFs).
Security during transfer + automatic file deletion after a delay.
Works on all platforms.
Pricing
Free plan (limited).
Pro plan (unlocks limits + extra tools).
Team plan (for multiple users).
4. iLovePDF.
A good “Swiss army knife” if you often do conversion + other PDF operations (merge, compress, etc.).
Features
Conversion PDF → Word (DOCX) online.
OCR (often via a dedicated option or depending on the plan) for scanned PDFs.
Automatic file deletion after processing (depending on settings).
Pricing
Free version (limited).
Premium version (to remove limits and enable certain options).
5. Microsoft Word (open a PDF and convert).
The best option if you want to avoid uploading (sensitive documents) and work locally.
Features
Built-in PDF converter: you open the PDF, Word turns it into an editable document.
Useful for privacy: the file stays on your device.
The result depends on the PDF: brochures/columns/complex tables often need adjustments.
Pricing
Included if you have Word / Microsoft 365 (no need for an external tool).
6. Google Docs (via Google Drive).
The best free solution to extract text via OCR, especially on a scanned PDF… but the layout often changes.
Features
Drive import → “Open with Google Docs” → text extraction (OCR).
Good for quickly retrieving content, less for getting a perfectly accurate copy.
Often needs tweaking: tables, columns, line breaks, images.
Pricing
Free with a Google account.
FAQ
Is there a truly free PDF to Word converter?
✅ Yes, several! Smallpdf, Nitro, PDFgear, and PDF24 offer 100% free services with no file or conversion limits (except UPDF, which limits to 2 per day).
How do I convert a password-protected PDF to Word?
You’ll need the password to unlock it first. Once unlocked:
iLovePDF: Enter the password → automatic conversion
UPDF: Open with password → export to Word
Adobe Acrobat: Authenticate → export
The authorization password is usually removed after conversion.
Can I convert multiple PDFs in one go?
✅ Yes! Several tools offer batch conversion:
PDFelement (multiple conversion)
UPDF (batch processing)
PDF Candy (online and desktop)
Which Word format should I choose: DOC or DOCX?
DOCX is the modern standard (2007+). Choose DOCX unless you're working with very old versions of Word. All modern tools offer both.
My layout changed after conversion. How do I fix it?
This is normal for complex PDFs. Three solutions:
Make manual adjustments in Word (usually 5-10 minutes)
Try another tool (Adobe Acrobat often gives better results)
Enable "Layout Priority" in settings (if available)
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