Receiving a PDF but needing to modify the text is a common headache. Converting PDF to Word (.docx) allows editing like a regular document. This article guides you through the two types of conversion, their methods, and how to do it while protecting privacy.
First, Determine Which Type of PDF You Have
PDFs are roughly divided into two types: one is 'text-based' PDFs exported directly from Word, web pages, etc., where text can be selected and copied; the other is 'image-based' PDFs obtained from scans or photos, where the entire page is essentially an image and text cannot be directly selected.
The conversion approaches for the two types of PDFs differ: text-based ones can directly extract text and layout; image-based ones require using OCR (Optical Character Recognition) first to recognize text from the images.
Converting Text-Based PDF to Word
For text-based PDFs, you can use qktools' PDF to Word tool: upload the file and complete the conversion locally in the browser, outputting an editable .docx. Due to layout differences, complex formatting may require slight adjustments in Word.
What to Do with Scanned Documents (Image-Based PDFs)
If it's a scanned document, direct conversion will only yield images. In this case, you should first use an OCR tool to recognize text. qktools' PDF OCR tool can locally recognize text in PDFs and export copyable text, which you can then paste into Word for formatting.
OCR accuracy depends on scan clarity: higher resolution and clearer text lead to more accurate recognition; tilting, blurriness, or handwriting can reduce accuracy.
Why Local Conversion is More Secure
PDFs often contain sensitive information like contracts and resumes. Uploading files to unfamiliar servers risks them being retained. Choosing tools that complete conversion locally in the browser ensures files never leave your device, providing peace of mind.
Suggestions for Layout Adjustments After Conversion
Any PDF to Word conversion cannot 100% restore the original layout, due to format differences. After conversion, it's recommended to check: whether tables are misaligned, columns are correct, and fonts and sizes need uniforming. A few minutes of fine-tuning can yield a usable document.