This tutorial shows how to convert PDFs to Microsoft Word Files in Adobe Acrobat.
[Typewriter sounds]
Hello, my name is Erin.
I’m a technical writer and editor who shares step-by-step software tutorials
and writing tips for the real world on this channel and on my blog at erinwrightwriting.com.
There are multiple ways to convert PDFs to Microsoft Word files in Adobe Acrobat.
In this tutorial, we are going to look at the method I believe is the most user-friendly.
Then, we’ll look at two alternative methods you may want to use instead.
We will cover the steps to convert Microsoft Word files to PDFs in a separate tutorial.
I’ll be using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC.
These steps will also work for Acrobat 2020 and Acrobat 2017.
Adobe’s free PDF display software, Acrobat Reader, doesn’t offer a way to convert PDFs to other file types.
Before we begin, please allow me a quick word on terminology.
In this tutorial, the terms convert and export are used interchangeably to mean “turn a PDF into a Word file.”
I have chosen to do this because export is the term Adobe uses,
while the term convert is likely more accessible to the general audience.
To begin, open the PDF you want to convert to a Word file and then select the Tools tab.
Then, select the Export PDF button in the Tools Center.
Now, select Word Document in the Export your PDF to any format screen if it’s not already selected.
If you would like to choose additional options, select the settings icon.
And then select additional options from the Save As DOCX Settings dialog box.
The Layout Settings section lets you retain flowing text or retain the current page layout.
Retain the current layout if you want the Word file to look like the PDF.
The Comment Settings section lets you include or exclude comments.
Note that when you choose to include comments,
you will also include mark-ups such as insertions and deletions.
These mark-ups are not functional in Microsoft Word.
The Image Settings section lets you include or exclude images.
And, the Text Recognition Settings section lets you choose to recognize the language in the text.
Strongly consider leaving this option selected.
After you’ve made your choices, select the OK button.
Next, select the Export button.
When the Save As dialog box appears, deselect "Open file after export"
if you do not want the file to open in Microsoft Word after the export process is finished.
And then select the location where you want to save the Word file.
Finally, select the Save button in the second Save As dialog box.
Your PDF will be exported as a Word file.
The export process may take several minutes if the PDF is long or has a lot of images.
Now we’re going to walk through two alternative ways to convert PDFs to Microsoft Word files in Adobe Acrobat.
To begin the first alternative method, select the File tab.
And then select Export To.
Now, select Microsoft Word, followed by Word Document.
Next, select the location where you want to save your Word file in the Save As PDF dialog box.
Although this dialog box is titled Save As PDF, your file should be saved as a Word file.
Select the Settings button if you want to choose additional options
from the Save As DOCX Settings dialog box, as we did in the previous section.
Uncheck View Result if you do not want Microsoft Word to open after the conversion process is complete.
And then select the Save button to complete the process.
To begin the second alternative method, select the File tab,
followed by Save As.
The Save As PDF dialog box will open, which looks almost identical to the Save As dialog box
we used in the first section of this tutorial.
However, you may notice that this dialog box doesn’t offer an "Open file after export option.
Now, select the location where you want to save your Word file.
And then select Word Document (*.docx) in the Save as type menu in the second Save As PDF dialog box.
Finally, select the Save button.
I have created many other videos about Adobe Acrobat including
“How to Adjust Line Spacing in PDFs with Adobe Acrobat”
and “How to Combine Files into One PDF in Adobe Acrobat.”
Please see the playlist titled “How to Use Adobe Acrobat,” which is linked below, for the complete list.
The companion blog post for this video listing all the steps we just performed
appears on erinwrightwriting.com, which is also linked below.
Feel free to leave me a comment if there’s a specific topic related to Adobe Acrobat,
Microsoft Word, or Google Docs at that you would like me to talk about in the future.
And please subscribe to my channel so you don’t miss future tutorials
and please give this video a thumbs-up if you found it helpful.
Thank you so much for watching!
[Typewriter sounds]