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How to Convert PDF to Word: 4 Simple Methods

By Marcus Johnson Jun 17, 2026 9 min read How-To Guides

You have received a PDF and need to edit it. But you do not have a PDF editor - you have Microsoft Word. The solution is simple: convert the PDF to a Word document (.docx format).

In this guide, we will show you 4 different ways to convert PDFs to Word documents. All of them are free (or use software you probably already have), and all of them work for beginners. We will also cover which method is best for different situations.

Method 1: Use an Online Converter (Easiest)

Online converters are the fastest and easiest way to convert a PDF to Word. You upload your PDF, the website converts it, and you download the Word file. No software installation required.

Best for: Quick conversions, one-time use, when you are not on your own computer

Step-by-step using PDF24 (recommended free tool):

  1. Open your web browser and go to pdf24.org
  2. Click PDF to Word converter tool
  3. Drag and drop your PDF file into the upload area
  4. Wait a few seconds for the conversion
  5. Click Download to save the Word file to your computer
  6. Open the Word file and check that the formatting looks correct

Other online converters to try:

Tips for online converters:

Method 2: Use Google Docs (Best for Google Users)

If you have a Google account, you already have a free way to convert PDFs to Word. Google Docs can open PDFs and export them as Word files. It works surprisingly well for text-heavy PDFs.

Best for: Google users, text-heavy PDFs, no additional software needed

Step-by-step instructions:

  1. Go to drive.google.com and sign in with your Google account
  2. Click New then File upload and select your PDF file (or drag it into Google Drive)
  3. Once uploaded, right-click the PDF file in Google Drive
  4. Select Open with then Google Docs
  5. Google Docs will convert the PDF into an editable document
  6. The document will open in a new tab showing the converted content
  7. Edit the content as needed in Google Docs
  8. Go to File then Download then Microsoft Word (.docx)
  9. The Word file will download to your computer

What works well: Text formatting (fonts, sizes, bold, italic), simple layouts, tables, standard fonts

What does not work well: Complex layouts with multiple columns, text boxes, images placed in specific positions, scanned PDFs (no OCR), headers and footers may shift. Google Docs may also miss some special characters or symbols.

Method 3: Use Microsoft Word Directly

If you have Microsoft Word (Office 365 or Word 2021/2024), you can open PDFs directly in Word. This is the best method if you already have Word installed, because the conversion quality is usually very good.

Best for: Microsoft Word users, best conversion quality, most formatting preserved

Step-by-step instructions:

  1. Open Microsoft Word on your computer
  2. Click File in the top-left corner
  3. Click Open then Browse
  4. Navigate to your PDF file and select it
  5. Word will show a message saying: Word will now convert your PDF to an editable Word document
  6. Click OK to proceed
  7. Wait for the conversion to complete (larger files may take a few minutes)
  8. Review the converted document and make any necessary edits
  9. Go to File then Save As then Word Document (.docx)
  10. Choose a location and save your file

What works well: Text formatting, tables, headings, lists, images, hyperlinks. Word does an excellent job of preserving the original layout. It handles complex layouts better than Google Docs or most online tools.

What does not work well: Scanned PDFs (images of text) - Word cannot convert these unless you have OCR capabilities. Very complex graphic elements may shift. Some special fonts may be replaced with similar ones.

Important note: This feature is available in Word 2013 and later versions. If you have an older version, you may need to use one of the other methods.

Method 4: Use Free Desktop Software (Best for Privacy)

If you have sensitive documents or need to convert PDFs regularly, desktop software is the best option. Your files never leave your computer, and there are no file size limits or daily restrictions.

Best for: Privacy, frequent conversions, large files, offline use

Option A: PDF24 Desktop (recommended for Windows)

  1. Download and install PDF24 from pdf24.org
  2. Open PDF24 and select PDF to Word from the tools
  3. Drag and drop your PDF file into the window
  4. Click Convert and wait for the process to finish
  5. Your Word file will open automatically or you can choose where to save it

Option B: LibreOffice (all platforms)

  1. Download and install LibreOffice from libreoffice.org
  2. Open LibreOffice Draw (or Writer)
  3. Go to File then Open and select your PDF
  4. Edit the content if needed
  5. Go to File then Export As then Export as DOCX
  6. Choose a location and save your Word file

What works well: Complete privacy - your files never leave your computer. No file size limits. No daily conversion limits. Works offline. Good for large batches.

What does not work well: Requires downloading and installing software (takes 5-10 minutes). LibreOffice has a learning curve. Formatting may need cleanup after conversion.

Which Method Should You Use?

Here is a quick decision guide:

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Problem: The converted document has messed up formatting. Solution: Try a different method. Word built-in converter handles formatting best. For complex layouts, consider editing the original source file instead of converting.

Problem: The PDF is scanned (an image, not real text). Solution: You need OCR (Optical Character Recognition). PDF24 has free OCR with a 10-page daily limit. For unlimited OCR, you need a paid tool or Adobe Acrobat.

Problem: The file is too large for online converters. Solution: Use a desktop tool like PDF24 or LibreOffice, which do not have file size limits. Or compress the PDF first using a free tool.

Problem: Images are missing after conversion. Solution: This is common. Try Microsoft Word built-in converter, which preserves images best. If images are still missing, you may need to add them manually after conversion.

Conclusion

Converting a PDF to Word is easy when you know the right tools. For most people, the best approach is to use the built-in PDF opener in Microsoft Word if you have it. If not, PDF24 online converter is completely free with no daily limits. Google Docs is a great option if you work in Google ecosystem. And for sensitive documents, PDF24 Desktop keeps everything on your computer. Try a couple of methods and see which one gives you the best results for your specific PDF.