Portable document format files, or PDFs, allow you to transport documents across the Internet to various people and computers without the concern for what software is on the recipient's machine. Retrieving information from a PDF used to involve expensive software or having the original file. You can now convert PDF documents to other formats like Microsoft Word using free software downloaded from the Internet. Downloading, installation and conversion typically are not time-consuming tasks, but file conversion is rarely perfect.
Difficulty: ModerateInstructionsDownload and Install Converter Software1
Use an Internet browser to navigate to websites such as HelloPDF's Free PDF to Word Doc Converter, SmartSoft's Free PDF to Word Converter or SomePDF's Some PDF to Word Converter. These sites offer free PDF to Word conversion programs.
2Click on the "Download Free PDF to Word Converter" link, or follow the site's instructions. These sites also sell software, so read the surrounding text before clicking a download button to be sure you are downloading the free version.
3Follow the site's instructions to download the program. An installation wizard appears to guide you through the installation process.
Converting PDF Files1
Open the conversion application, like HelloPDF's Free PDF to Word Doc Converter or another of the free software applications.
2Click on the "Browse" button in the Select PDF for Conversion section to navigate to the PDF file you want to convert. You need to load the PDF file into the program, no matter which software you choose.
3Select options in the General options area such as which pages to convert or which font to use. While each software has slightly different options, these applications all attempt to keep graphics, formatting, tables and other features so the resulting file is similar to the PDF document.
4Click on "Convert to Word Document," or follow the instructions for the software package to transform the file. Some software converters allow you to change the file to different formats. If you want to convert to Word, make sure you select DOC (Word document) or RTF (Rich Text Format) for the conversion format. Many software converters open the converted file once the process is complete. Modifying the file usually takes a minute or two, unless the file is extremely complex.
Tips & WarningsBoth Free Convert PDF to Word Doc and Some PDF to Word Converter support batch file conversions so you can modify several PDF files at a time.If one file converter does not transform the file as well as you like, you can always download a second file converter.No matter which conversion software you use, if the PDF file is password-protected, you will need to have the password before you can convert the file. References Cogni View: PDF Editing & Creation--50+ Open Source/Free Alternatives to Adobe Acrobat Freeware Genius: How to Convert PDF to Word DOC for Free--A Comparative Test ResourcesHelloPDF: Free PDF to Word Doc ConverterSmartSoft: Free PDF to Word ConverterSomePDF: Some PDF to Word Converter