How to Convert a PDF to a Google Doc (and Keep It Readable)

Someone sends you a PDF and you need to change one paragraph. Retyping the whole thing is soul-destroying, and you don't need special software to avoid it. Google Drive has a built-in converter that pulls the text out of a PDF and drops it into an editable Google Doc. Here's exactly how to do it, and how to get a clean result rather than a jumbled mess.

Convert a PDF in Google Drive

1. Go to drive.google.com on your computer.
2. Click New, then File upload, and pick your PDF.
3. Once it's uploaded, right-click the PDF.
4. Choose Open with, then Google Docs.
5. A new Google Doc opens with the text from your PDF, ready to edit. Your original PDF stays in Drive untouched.

If you opened the PDF in Chrome, there's a shortcut: Google says the PDF viewer has a Save to Drive button that puts a copy straight into a folder called Saved from Chrome. Then follow steps 3 to 5.

What survives the conversion and what doesn't

This is the bit Google is honest about and most tutorials skip. The conversion is text recognition, not a perfect copy of the layout.

Likely to come across	Unlikely to be detected
Bold and italics	Lists
Font size and font type	Tables
Line breaks	Columns
The text itself	Footnotes and endnotes

So a simple letter or a page of plain text converts beautifully. A brochure with three columns, a comparison table or a numbered contract will need tidying up afterwards. Go in expecting to fix the formatting and you won't be disappointed.

Get a cleaner result: Google's own tips

• Keep it small. The file should be 2 MB or smaller. Split a long PDF into smaller files first if you need to.
• Make text readable. Text should be at least 10 pixels high, so tiny print on a scan won't convert well.
• Turn it the right way up. Documents must be upright. Rotate a sideways scan before you upload it.
• Use common fonts. Google suggests fonts such as Arial or Times New Roman.
• Use a sharp image. Even lighting and clear contrast make a big difference with photographed pages.

Those tips matter most for scanned PDFs and photos of documents, where Drive has to read the text from an image. A PDF that was created from a Word file usually converts more cleanly because the text is already there.

It works on photos too

The same feature works on photo files in .jpeg, .png and .gif formats. Snap a picture of a printed page, upload it, then use Open with, Google Docs, and you'll get the text in a document. It's a lifesaver for old printed handouts where the original file is long gone. Google also says Drive detects the language of the document, so it isn't limited to English.

Convert every upload automatically

If you regularly upload Word files and want them as Google Docs, there's a setting for that. Go to drive.google.com/drive/settings and tick Convert uploads to Google Docs editor format. Google notes you can only change Drive settings from a computer. This setting is about office files; for PDFs, the Open with method above is still the reliable route.

When the result is a mess

If the converted Doc is full of odd line breaks or missing text, check three things. Is the file over the size limit? Is the scan blurry or skewed? Is the layout heavy with columns and tables? If it's the layout, it can be quicker to copy the text in chunks from the converted document into a fresh one and rebuild the formatting yourself. If you're going the other way and need a PDF from a Word file, see my guide on how to convert Word to PDF.

Converting on a phone or tablet

The conversion itself is a computer job. Google's help page describes it from drive.google.com on a computer, and that's where it works most reliably. On your phone you can still upload the PDF to Drive using the app, then do the conversion later at your desk. If you're out and about and only need to read or copy a few lines, opening the PDF in the Drive app and selecting the text is often quicker than converting the whole file.

A quick workflow I use for client documents

1. Upload the PDF to a project folder, not your main Drive, so the copy lands in the right place.
2. Convert it with Open with, Google Docs.
3. Rename the new Doc with the word EDIT and the date, so nobody confuses it with the signed original.
4. Fix headings and lists first, then tables, then everything else.
5. Export it back to PDF from File, Download, when you're done.

Keep your Drive tidy afterwards

Every conversion creates a new file, so after a busy week you can end up with duplicates of everything. Rename the new Doc straight away and delete or file the original PDF if you don't need it. If your storage starts filling up, my guide to freeing up space on Google Drive will help.

My verdict

Upload the PDF, right-click, Open with, Google Docs. It's fast and it's free with your Google account. Expect the words to come across well and the layout to need work, especially tables and columns, and keep the file under 2 MB with clear, upright text for the best result.

Frequently asked questions

Can Google Docs open a PDF?

Yes. In Google Drive, right-click the PDF and choose Open with, then Google Docs. Drive converts the text into an editable document.

Why is my converted PDF missing tables?

Google says lists, tables, columns, footnotes and endnotes are not likely to be detected when converting, so you'll need to rebuild them.

What size PDF can Google Drive convert?

For conversion, Google says the file should be 2 MB or smaller.

Can I convert a scanned PDF to Google Docs?

Yes, as long as the scan is sharp and upright and the text is at least 10 pixels high. Poor scans give poor results.

Does converting change my original PDF?

No. Drive creates a separate Google Doc and leaves your original PDF in place.