Convert a PDF File and Edit in Microsoft Word
by Avantix Learning Team | Updated April 5, 2021
Applies to: Microsoft® Word® 2013, 2016, 2019 or 365 (Windows)
You can convert a PDF (Portable Document Format) file to an editable Word document natively. If you have Microsoft Word 2013 or a later version, you can convert a PDF to Word with a couple of clicks. You don’t need Adobe Acrobat or a third party program using this method.
Recommended article: How to Keep Text Together in Microsoft Word
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Converting a PDF to Word
To convert a PDF to Word (natively using only Word):
- In Word, click the File tab in the Ribbon and select Open.
- Double-click This PC. A dialog box appears.
- Navigate to the location of the PDF file.
- Click the PDF file and click Open or double-click the file. The PDF file will open in Word and a dialog box appears indicating that reformatting may occur and line and page breaks may not appear as expected.
- Click OK.
- If the document opens in Protected View, click Enable Content and then click OK again.
- Reformat the document as necessary.
The following dialog box appears when you open a PDF and after enabling content:
Issues and limitations
Documents that were originally created in Microsoft Word and then saved as a PDF tend to convert fairly well.
Tables may not convert as expected and may need to be reformatted.
Documents that were scanned as a PDF will likely convert as an image, not an editable document.
Be sure to check for page breaks in the wrong location and to run a spell check.
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More resources
10+ Great Microsoft Word Navigation Shortcuts for Moving Around Quickly in Your Documents
14+ Word Selection Shortcuts to Quickly Select Text
How to Create a Table of Contents in Microsoft Word
Related courses
Microsoft Word: Intermediate / Advanced
Microsoft Word: Designing Dynamic Word Documents Using Fields
Microsoft Word: Long Documents Master Class
Microsoft Word: Accessible Word Documents
Microsoft Excel: Intermediate / Advanced
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