You can convert a PDF to Word for free in three main ways: open the PDF directly in Microsoft Word, which converts it to an editable copy; upload it to Google Drive and open it with Google Docs; or use Adobe's free online PDF to Word converter. Word and Adobe keep layouts best, and Google Docs is better for plain text.
Whether you need to update an old brochure, edit a contract someone sent you, or reuse the text from a report, you don't need to buy a converter. The tools you probably already have will do it. What changes between them is how well they keep tables, columns and images, so pick the method based on what's in your PDF.
Which free method to use
| Method | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Word (File, Open) | Text-heavy business, legal or report documents | Pages that are mostly charts can come through as images |
| Google Drive and Google Docs | Pulling plain text out of a PDF or scan | Files must be 2 MB or smaller; tables and columns usually aren't detected |
| Adobe Acrobat online converter | Keeping layout, tables and columns | Daily conversion limits; you may be asked to sign in to download |
Method 1: Convert a PDF in Microsoft Word
If you have Word, this is the quickest route. Microsoft explains that when you open a PDF in Word, Word makes a copy, converts it to a Word document and tries to match the layout of the original. Your original PDF stays untouched.
- Open Word.
- Go to File, then Open, and choose your PDF.
- Confirm the message that Word will convert the PDF to an editable document.
- Check the layout, then save the file as a Word document.
Microsoft says this works best with files that are mostly text, such as business, legal or scientific documents. If the PDF is mostly charts or graphics, the whole page might come through as an image, and then you can't edit the text. Word can also miss elements such as footnotes and treat them as regular text.
The reason for the mess, according to Microsoft, is that a PDF stores where text and images sit on a page but not how they relate. A table, for example, is stored as a set of lines with no link to the text inside the cells, so Word has to rebuild it.
If you need to go the other way later, my guide on how to convert Word to PDF covers that too.
Method 2: Convert a PDF with Google Drive
This one is free with any Google account and works well when you mainly want the words. Google Drive turns the PDF into a Google Doc using text recognition, which you can then download as a Word file.
- Upload the PDF to Google Drive.
- Right-click the file and choose Open with, then Google Docs.
- Check the text in the new Google Doc.
- Go to File, Download, and choose Microsoft Word.
Google's help page sets some rules: the file should be 2 MB or smaller, text should be at least 10 pixels high, and the document needs to be the right way up. Google also says bold, italics, font size and line breaks are likely to be kept, but lists, tables, columns, footnotes and endnotes probably won't be. My page on converting a PDF to a Google Doc has more detail on this route.
Method 3: Use Adobe's free online converter
Adobe's online PDF to Word tool runs in any browser on Mac, Windows, iOS, Android or Linux. Adobe's FAQ says you can drag and drop a PDF and download an editable Word file for free, with no sign-up, card or subscription, and that paragraphs, tables and columns are generally carried over, though complex layouts may need some cleanup.
- Open Adobe's PDF to Word page in your browser.
- Click Select a file, or drag your PDF into the drop zone.
- Wait for the conversion to finish.
- Download the DOCX file. If you've used the tool before, Adobe may ask you to sign in first.
Adobe notes that daily conversion limits apply on the free tool, and that unlimited conversions come with a paid Acrobat plan. For the odd document that's no problem.
Whichever method you use, open the converted file and scroll through every page before you rely on it. Conversion problems tend to hide in the middle of long documents rather than on the first page.
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Tips for a cleaner conversion
- Start with the original PDF, not a scan of a printout, when you can.
- For scanned documents, use a tool with text recognition, such as Google Drive or Adobe.
- Check tables and numbered lists first, because they're what most often break.
- Keep the original PDF until you've checked the Word version line by line.
- If a page is mostly a chart, copy the text by hand rather than fighting the layout.
If you're converting PDFs often, it may be easier to edit them directly. My roundup of the best free PDF editor options compares the tools that let you do that.
My verdict
For most business documents, open the PDF in Word and you're done in a minute. If you don't have Word or the layout matters, use Adobe's free online tool. Save Google Drive for when you just need the text out of a PDF or a scan, and always check the tables before you send the file on.
If the converted document needs translating next, see how DeepL compares with Google Translate.
Frequently asked questions
Can I convert a PDF to Word without software?
Yes. Adobe's online converter and Google Drive both run in a browser, so you don't need to install anything.
Does converting a PDF to Word change the original file?
No. Microsoft says Word makes a copy when it converts a PDF, and the original PDF stays as it was.
Why does my converted Word file look different?
Microsoft explains that PDFs store where text sits on a page but not structure like tables or paragraphs, so Word has to rebuild them and the layout can shift.
Is there a file size limit for converting a PDF in Google Drive?
Yes. Google's help page says the file should be 2 MB or smaller for conversion to text.
Is Adobe's PDF to Word converter free?
Yes. Adobe says you can convert and download a Word file for free with no subscription, but daily conversion limits apply.
