When it comes to the most common tasks that many users have, converting a PDF to Word is one of them. Converting a file into Word format can be useful whether you need to edit a document, extract text, or make changes to a file. But one of the main challenges is maintaining the formatting when converting. Luckily, there are options to convert PDF to Word format without losing its format. In this article, we will show you the best ways to convert PDFs into Word while maintaining the layout, fonts, and structure.

Why Convert a PDF to Word?

For sharing files, PDFs are great because they retain the original formatting on all devices. Sadly, PDFs are not as easy to edit. There are many reasons why you might want to convert PDF to Word:

Editing: Over the past couple of decades, the good old Microsoft Word has been the most favourite file format.
Copy Content: You can do it simply by converting the PDF to Word, and there will not be any change in the arrangement of the content.
Improve Accessibility: PDFs may not be as accessible for people using screen readers or text-to-speech software. See if converting to Word helps with accessibility.

And now, here’s how to convert a PDF document to Word while keeping the formatting.

Using Adobe Acrobat DC

One of the most trusted tools to help convert PDF to Word documents is Adobe Acrobat DC. It is premium software with a trial version available. Adobe’s PDF to Word converter does its job well and keeps the document’s original formatting intact.

How to Change a PDF to Word with Adobe Acrobat DC:

Open Adobe Acrobat DC.
Click on the Tools tab.
Select Export PDF.
Select Microsoft Word as the output format.
Click on Export. Adobe is now converting the PDF to Word.
Download the converted Word file to your machine.

It retains the formatting, like fonts, images, tables, and text alignment, so that your document appears exactly the same in Word as it was in PDF.

Using Microsoft Word

If you prefer not to install any third-party software, Microsoft Word itself can convert the PDFs into Word documents. This approach works well with basic PDFs but may not be successful with complex documents that include complex formatting, tables, or graphics.

Wondering How to Convert a PDF to Word with Microsoft Word:

Open Microsoft Word.
Click on File > Open.
Please choose the PDF file that is required to be converted.
Word will then automatically ask you if you want it to turn your PDF into an editable Word doc.
Click OK to proceed.

After converting the PDF, check the document and the formatting carefully.

Using Online PDF to Word Converters

This approach is fast and easy, though formatting can sometimes get a little weird with more complicated PDFs—you may find images out of place or table data misaligned.

Online PDF to Word Converters

ManyFree Online PDF ConverterMost of them are online documents. These are quite easy to use, and you do not need to download any software to convert on them. But refrain from posting sensitive documents on third-party websites.

Top PDF to Word Converter Online:

Smallpdf: This one has a free and paid version. It’s super easy to use, and it retains formatting quite nicely when converting.
ILovePDF: ILovePDF is yet another tool to convert PDF to Word for free. It also batch-processes if you have more than one PDF to convert.
PDF2Go: Because PDFs cannot be word-edited, PDF2Go lets you convert them to Word documents, keeping their format. It also provides an online PDF editor before converting it.

Online Tools for PDF to Word Conversion:

Go to the website for the online converter you have selected.
Select the PDF file that you want to convert.
Select Convert to Word.
Be patient until conversion is over.
You will be given the converted Word file to download.

These free online converters are great for simple PDF docs, but the quality may not be the best when converting more complicated files.

Using Google Docs

Another free tool you can use to convert a PDF to Word, without losing too much formatting, is Google Docs. While Google Docs doesn’t keep all of the world’s best features, it’s a good choice for converting simpler PDFs.

To Convert a PDF to Word with Google Docs:

Open Google Drive.
Select the New button and select File upload to upload the PDF file to Google Drive.
After uploading the PDF, right-click on the file and click Open with > Google Docs.
Once uploaded, Google Docs will convert the PDF into an editable document for you.
When the conversion is done, select File > Download > Microsoft Word (.docx).

Google Docs is able to convert documents into text and simple formatting, but other formatting elements (e.g., tables, pictures, etc.) may lose their place or alignment during the conversion process. It’s a decent choice for simple PDFs that lack lots of graphics or elaborate formatting.

How to Use Desktop PDF to Word Converters

If you need to convert PDFs to Word documents frequently, using desktop software may be more efficient for you. Both have more advanced features and retain your formatting better than free online converters.

Recommended Desktop Tools:

There are actually free options; however, not all. Below are some free PDF to Word converters.

WPS Office: It keeps most of the formatting, such as images and tables.
Nitro PDF: Nitro PDF is also a good desktop tool to convert PDF to Word. It comes with a free trial as well as paid versions. There are further additional functionalities offered by Nitro PDF to ensure proper working of the established format.
PDFMate PDF Converter: This free PDF converting tool allows you to convert PDF files into different formats, including Word. It keeps formatting and works on Windows and Mac.

How to Convert PDF to Word Using Desktop Software:

You will have to install the PDF to Word converter software.
Launch the program to convert PDF to Word.
Choose Upload your PDF file, and then hit Convert.
Download the converted Word document to your PC.

Desktop converters take full responsibility to keep the original PDF’s layout, particularly with complicated documents.

How to Fix Formatting Issues After Conversion

No tool is perfect, and even the best tools cannot preserve 100% of the original formatting. Here are some standard fixes if you observe formatting issues after converting PDF to Word:

Image Adjustment: Images may slip out of position sometimes in the resulting PDF after conversion. With Word, you manually reposition or resize them.
Repair Tables: If tables are out of alignment, you can try copying and pasting the table into a new Word document or modifying the table formatting.
Fonts are correct: If fonts seem different, highlight the text and pick the appropriate typeface in the Word toolbar.

Converting PDF to Word is easier with these guides.

Optimise the PDF: Reduce the complexity of the PDF, if possible, prior to conversion by removing unnecessary images or complex layouts. This allows for a more seamless conversion experience.
Use OCR software for scanned PDFs: If your PDF is in a scanned image format, you will need OCR (Optical Character Recognition) software. Most PDF converters, such as Adobe Acrobat and Nitro PDF, come with OCR functions to extract text from images.
Check the Final Document: Always review the converted Word document in case the conversion does not preserve the formatting. Fix any issues as needed.

Conclusion

The right tools can help you convert PDF to Word seamlessly without formatting loss. Adobe Acrobat DC and Microsoft Word are the best for you to get accurate conversions. For a free alternative, Google Docs, online converters, and desktop tools like WPS Office do a decent job with most documents. Remember that some complex PDFs may not retain their format perfectly and may require more advanced software. So those methods are how you can convert your PDFs to Word easily and save the layout, fonts, and formatting you want.

How to Convert a PDF to Word Without Losing Formatting