How to Convert a PDF to Word (3 Free Methods)

Someone sent you a PDF contract and you need to update the delivery date on page 3. Or you have an old PDF report and want to reuse the data tables in a new document. The problem is that PDF files are designed to be read, not edited.

The solution is to convert the PDF to a Word doc, make your changes, and then save it back to PDF if needed. Here are three ways to do it for free.

Method 1: Convert Online (Any Device)

The fastest way to convert a PDF to Word is to use an online converter. No software needed.

1. Open PDF to Word in your browser.
2. Drag your PDF file into the upload area.
3. Click Convert.
4. Download your editable Word document (DOCX).

The converter extracts text, tables, images, and formatting from your PDF and rebuilds them in a Word document you can edit in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or any word processor.

Best for: Quick conversions on any device, especially when you do not have Word installed.

Method 2: Open a PDF in Word Directly

Microsoft Word (2013 and later) can open PDF files directly and convert them to editable documents:

1. Open Microsoft Word.
2. Go to File > Open and select your PDF file.
3. Word will show a message saying it will convert the PDF to an editable Word document. Click OK.
4. Edit the document as needed.

The catch: Word's built-in conversion works well for simple, text-heavy documents. But for PDF files with complex layouts, multiple columns, or lots of images, the formatting often breaks. You may spend more time fixing the layout than it would take to just retype the content.

Best for: Simple, text-heavy PDF files when you already have Word open.

Method 3: Use Google Docs

Google Docs can also open and convert PDF files:

1. Upload your PDF to Google Drive.
2. Right-click the file and select Open with > Google Docs.
3. Google Docs will extract the text and display it as an editable document.
4. Go to File > Download > Microsoft Word (.docx) to save as a Word file.

The catch: Google Docs strips out most formatting and images. It works for extracting plain text, but do not expect the output to look anything like the original PDF.

Best for: Extracting plain text from simple PDF files.

Which Method Should You Use?

Method	Formatting Accuracy	Handles Complex Layouts	Works on Mobile
ToolifyPDF	High	Yes	Yes
Word (Open PDF)	Medium	Struggles	No
Google Docs	Low (text only)	No	Yes (limited)

For most people, an online converter gives the best results because it is purpose-built for PDF to Word conversion. Word's built-in feature is convenient but unreliable with complex documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert a PDF to Word on Mac? Open ToolifyPDF in Safari or any browser on your Mac, upload your PDF, and download the Word file. Word for Mac can also open PDF files directly (File > Open), but formatting accuracy varies.

Can I convert a scanned PDF to Word? Yes, but results depend on the quality of the scan. ToolifyPDF can extract text from scanned documents. For best results, make sure the scan is clear and high-resolution.

Will my tables and images be preserved? With ToolifyPDF, yes. Tables are reconstructed as editable Word tables, and images are placed in their original positions. Google Docs typically strips images and breaks table formatting.

Can I convert a password-protected PDF to Word? You will need to unlock the PDF first. Use the ToolifyPDF Unlock PDF tool to remove the password, then convert to Word.

Wrapping Up

Converting a PDF to Word is straightforward with the right tool. For the best formatting accuracy, use a dedicated converter like ToolifyPDF. Word's built-in feature works for simple documents, and Google Docs is a last resort for plain text extraction.