PDF to Word
BetaRebuilds paragraphs and headings from the PDF’s text and saves a Word file, Markdown or plain text, in your browser. Scanned pages need OCR, which you can turn on here. Tables and complex layouts may need tidying by hand.
What PDF to Word does (Beta)
PDF to Word turns the text of a PDF into a document you can edit: a Word file (DOCX), Markdown or plain text. Paragraphs are rebuilt from the text on each page, and images can be kept in DOCX and Markdown.
This tool is in Beta. It works best on letters, reports and articles: one or two columns of running text, with headings, lists and simple tables.
How to convert a PDF to Word
- Drop a PDF on the box above.
- Choose the Output format: Word (.docx), Markdown (.md) or Plain text (.txt). Turn on Read scanned pages with OCR if the PDF is an English-language scan.
- Select Convert and download the file, then open it in Word, Google Docs or any editor.
Formats and options
| Word (.docx) | Paragraphs, headings, lists, simple tables, bold and italic, and page breaks. |
|---|---|
| Markdown (.md) | Headings, lists and tables as plain-text markup, useful for notes, wikis and AI tools. |
| Plain text (.txt) | Just the words, in reading order. |
| Two-column pages | Read column by column. Full-width titles and tables between the columns stay where they are in the reading order. |
| Keep images | On by default for Word and Markdown: pictures from the PDF go into the document. |
| Read scanned pages with OCR | Off by default. Recognizes English text on pages that have none, before converting. |
Limits
- Beta: layouts with more than two columns, complex tables and forms may come out in the wrong order or lose their structure. Check the result.
- Fonts, exact spacing and page layout aren't reproduced; the goal is editable text.
- Pages without a text layer come out empty unless OCR is on. The tool tells you which pages those are.
Where your file goes
Conversion runs in this browser tab. Your PDF isn't uploaded; the document is made in the tab.
Questions
Will the Word file look exactly like the PDF?
No. The tool rebuilds editable paragraphs from the text; it doesn't recreate the page layout. One- and two-column documents usually keep their reading order, headings, lists and simple tables. Layouts with more than two columns, complex tables and forms may need tidying.
Can I convert a scanned PDF to Word?
Yes, for English text: turn on Read scanned pages with OCR. For the other 25 languages, run OCR PDF first, then convert the searchable result. Accuracy depends on the scan quality.
Why is it labeled Beta?
Conversion quality varies with the layout of the PDF, and we're still improving it. Check the result before you rely on it.
Which format should I choose?
Word (.docx) to edit the document in Word or Google Docs. Markdown for notes, wikis or pasting into other tools. Plain text when you only need the words.