PDF to Word

Extract text from a PDF into an editable Word document. Best for text-based PDFs; scans need OCR first.

ToolLast updated ·Reviewed by the OnlineFileConverter team

Drop or click to select a PDF

About this tool

Turning a PDF back into an editable document is one of the most-requested file tasks. Whether you've lost the original source file, received a contract you need to redline, or want to repurpose content from a report, our PDF to Word converter extracts the text content into a Word-compatible document you can open in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Pages, or LibreOffice.

The conversion runs entirely in your browser using PDF.js for text extraction. Paragraph and line breaks are reconstructed from the PDF's text positioning data, producing a clean document that's ready to edit. Because all processing is local, this works for confidential PDFs — NDAs, contracts, internal reports — without ever uploading them.

This tool is designed for text-based PDFs. Scanned (image-only) PDFs contain no extractable text, so you'll need to run them through OCR first — try our Image to Text tool.

Why use it

  • Runs in your browser — no uploads, no signup.
  • Output opens in Word, Google Docs, Pages, and LibreOffice.
  • Preserves paragraph breaks from the source layout.
  • Free with no daily file limit.

How to use it

  1. 1
    Upload your PDF

    Drop a text-based PDF (not a scan) into the upload area.

  2. 2
    Click Convert to Word

    We extract text via PDF.js and build a Word-compatible document in your browser.

  3. 3
    Open and edit

    Save the file and open it in Word, Google Docs, Pages, or LibreOffice.

Common use cases

  • Recovering an editable version when the original .docx is lost.
  • Redlining or commenting on a PDF contract.
  • Repurposing report text for a blog post or memo.
  • Translating a PDF — paste the extracted text into a translation tool.
  • Building a quote or proposal from a PDF template.

Tips for best results

Run OCR first on scans

If the PDF is a scanned image, use our Image to Text tool to OCR it, then paste the result into Word.

Expect simplified layout

Complex multi-column layouts, tables, and floating graphics may collapse to a single column. Plan to do some light reformatting.

Cross-check numbers

Always proofread tables and figures — text extraction is reliable but column-by-column tabular data can sometimes shift.

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Frequently asked questions

Will images and complex layout be preserved?

Text content is extracted with paragraph breaks; complex page layout is simplified. For pixel-perfect reproduction, use PDF to Image.

Does it work on scanned PDFs?

Scanned (image-only) PDFs need OCR first. Use our Image to Text tool, then paste the result into Word.