PDF is great for sharing, but terrible for editing. When you need to change a contract, update a CV or reuse text from a report, the easiest route is to convert the PDF to a Word document (DOCX), make your changes, and save it again as PDF.
Here is how to do it for free with ToolWixo’s PDF to Word converter, and how to handle the tricky cases such as scanned documents.
Convert PDF to Word in 3 steps
- Open the converter. Go to PDF to Word.
- Choose your PDF. Select the file from your computer or phone. It is processed in your browser, so it stays on your device.
- Download the DOCX. Open it in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, LibreOffice or WPS Office and start editing.
Is my PDF text or a scan?
This is the single most important question. Try to select a word in your PDF viewer:
- If you can select the text, it is a text-based PDF. It will convert into editable Word text.
- If you cannot select anything, the PDF is a picture of a page (a scan or photo). A converter can only place that picture into Word, not editable text.
For scanned documents, run the file through OCR PDF first. OCR (optical character recognition) reads the letters in the image and adds a real text layer. Then convert the result to Word.
Tips for the best result
- Start from the best original. If you still have the source Word file, use it instead of converting back from PDF.
- Check tables and columns. Simple layouts convert well. Complex multi-column layouts and tables may need a little tidying in Word.
- Unlock protected PDFs first. If the PDF has restrictions and you know the password, remove them with Unlock PDF.
- Only need a few pages? Use Extract PDF Pages first so the Word file only contains what you need.
Turning it back into a PDF
When you have finished editing, save the document as PDF from Word, or use ToolWixo’s Word to PDF converter. To combine it with other documents, use Merge PDF.
Other formats you might need
- PDF to Excel for tables and statements.
- PDF to PowerPoint for slides.
- PDF to JPG to save pages as images.
Frequently asked questions
Is the PDF to Word converter really free?
Yes. There is no sign-up, no daily limit and no watermark.
Can I convert PDF to Word on my phone?
Yes. It works in the browser on Android and iPhone, and you can open the DOCX in the Word or Google Docs app.
Why are some pages images in my Word file?
Those pages were scanned images in the original PDF. Run OCR PDF on the file first, then convert again.
Does it work with languages other than English?
Text-based PDFs keep their original text. For scans, OCR PDF supports 15 languages.
Try it now: convert your PDF to Word for free.
