Many professionals use PDF to share information. But If you need to edit or reuse information on PDF, you may feel the need to convert PDF to word on Mac.
In this article, we will look at 8 different methods to turn a PDF into a Word document on Mac. including both online and offline free options.
Please note that converting PDF to word often results in formatting issues. However, there are tips which you can use to avoid formatting problems:
1. It’s idea to have your PDF files smaller than 2Mb.
2. Make sure your PDF file oriented correctly - If not, Please rotate it before PDF to Word conversion.
3. Text in the PDF files must be at least of 10 pixels.
4. Left align or center align the paragraphs.
5. Do not wrap text around images. Use inline images where the text is above and below the image.
The key for PDF to Word conversion is always the formatting. Most of the online free PDF to word converters will surely falling short of your expectations. Conversion speed is equally critical, since a PDF file is always in multiple pages and the file size may come out as large.
If you want to convert PDF to Word on Mac without losing format, you may need the help of a professional PDF to Word Converter. Cisdem PDF Converter OCR is picked as the best PDF to Word converter for both Mac and Windows. It is a program designed to convert PDF files into various formats for easy editing, reading and management, it can perform the conversion between PDF and Word format expertly, not changing the original formatting.
Partial and batch conversions. Partial conversion allows you to set PDF page or page ranges for conversion. Batch conversion allows you to add up to 100 plus PDFs for conversion each time.
Convert scanned PDF to Word. This tool comes with powerful OCR function, when you add PDF files it will recognize scanned PDF automatically and use OCR to convert it.
Get accurate results. In our test it consistently gives the best results. You’ll find the output word file and the original PDF file accurately matches.
In order to convert PDF to Word on Mac, you can follow the steps below.
Tips:
For more accurate and high-quality conversion, you can choose whether to prioritize text recognition or formatting in Word Setting.
Also, you can watch the tutorial video to convert PDF to Word on Mac now.
Adobe invented the PDF file format, if want to work with the best, you can have a try with Adobe Acrobat. It supports exporting PDFs as Word, Excel, HTML, PowerPoint, Text, Image and other formats.
If you have installed Adobe Acrobat, follow the steps to convert PDF to Word on Mac.
Steps to Convert PDF to Word on Mac with Adobe Acrobat
Google provides an online platform for users to manage their documents—Google Docs. In Google Docs, you can open PDFs and convert PDF to Word or other editable formats for free without installing software. In addition, it works on scanned PDFs.
How to Convert PDF to Word for Free with Google Docs?
Tip: You may find that after all the steps, the file still has .pdf behind its name. In this situation, please go to File > Download as > Microsoft Word (.docx).
Preview is the built-in application for viewing and managing PDF files on Mac. If your PDF has simple formatting you can use preview to export PDF files as word document.
And one thing worth to mention is that for macOS Monterey or later users, preview comes with a Live Text feature which similar to OCR function that can help you turn scanned PDF files to searchable and editable word documents.
Foxit Phantom PDF is a PDF editor ($139) for PDF document generation and management, you are allowed to create PDF document or fillable forms, sort and export PDFs, use OCR to make PDF editable, share and collaborate on the same PDF file, even you can protect the files.
How to Convert PDF to Word Use Foxit Phantom PDF?
Calibre is a free, open-source, ebook manger software, it can also convert between ebook formats. It’s works well even with complex PDFs.
If you PDF file is large or have hundreds of pages, using preview to copy and paste is really time consuming, in this case you can use Mac’s build in Automator to create automated workflow for copy and pasting PDF to word in batches.
How to Convert PDF to Word on Mac with Automator?
There are many online websites that supports free PDF to word conversion. Most of them are intuitive and simple — you just need to drop your PDF onto the page and it will start the converting. Noted that most of the online sites are ad-supported, which can be a bit of a distraction, and you need to be careful where you click. Also, most of the online site have limit on the size or how many you can do in one day.
Here we choose Online PDF Converter, as this site don’t require a email, and we found the site is easy to navigate and quickly converted a 6-page PDF to word in just a few seconds.
If you still have problems, read the frequently asked questions below for additional help.
Unlike convert video files, convert PDF to word is very quick, usually a few seconds to a minute. if you file is large or you have multiple files to convert, it may take s several minutes.
You can use all the above method to convert large PDF files to word. If all your PDF files is large or the PDFs are scanned PDF files we recommend you get a offline PDF to Word converter instead an online converter.
There are many PDF to Word converters on the app store, you can use free apps like PDF to Word. Which allows you to convert PDF files to Word documents on your iPhone or iPad. Here is how to convert a PDF to Word on iPhone using PDF to Word - PDF Converter:
1. Open the app and select the PDF file that you want to convert.
2. Click on the “Convert to Word” button.
3. The app will convert the PDF file to Word and save it to your iPhone.
4. You can then open the Word file and edit it as needed.
No. Though changing the extension from PDF to word can can change the kind of application that defaults to opening the file, it doesn’t change the format and you will fail to open it.
There are so many options to convert PDF to word on Mac, We can go on and add more tools onto our recommendation list, but all the above method are always picked and recommended by our users. if you want to make your conversions easy, fast and high quality, have a try on PDF Converter OCR, the program that can kill the formatting troubles, once and for all.
Connie has been writing for Mac productivity and utility apps since 2009. Each review and solution is based on her practical tests, she is aways energetic and trustworthy in this field.
Lucas Balon
So, the conclusion is, you should use a desktop to save the PDF as Word if you want to keep the formatting.
CoCo
Thanks for the informative sharing. I used to use Adobe on my old Mac, but now I am using Cisdem PDF Converter OCR on my new macbook air, it affordable to me and works well so far, almost all the conversion preserved the layout as original, except some complex text. Good work!
Karen
Like the PDF Converter OCR recommended in this article very much. It help me convert all my needed scanned pdf to the word i need. Save me much time! No need to retype the word anymore. Haha
lily
nice converter!!! the exported word is VERY NICE. I have compared with other converters. As this one is cheaper, i decide to make a free trial. It can fully meet my needs.I will pay for it for long time use. Thanks for your sharing!!!
Haley
Thanks for the guide, each solution to convert PDF to Word on a Mac covered in this guide is workable. Your recommendation is good, a tool that can work on any PDFs is really powerful.
Hannah
Super helpful. Finally someone with the answer! Thanks!
Bekky
I think more users will choose PDFConverterOCR because of the OCR feature, you know, if you are desk-bound, you will deal with scanned files.
Carbin
I have tried the PDF to Word Converter, and come here for a comment thanking you guys. It saved me the trouble about formatting, thanks.
Smithc390
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Johne863
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Jason Mek
Nice post. I got several scanned pdf to convert to Word, i tried the software and amazing, thanks.
Darrance
That's the pefrect insight in a thread like this.
Eric
You must pay for all the methods. You should point that out when posting
Alexander
I used Cisdem PDF to Word Converter with OCR to convert my scanned PDF files, it worked very well. There are many tables and images on my PDF file, this converter convert them perfectly. The only regret is that this application doesn't supports to batch convert, but so did others.
Laura
When I click on the Convert button, a screen pops up asking for a "key code" before it will convert. What's the key code?
Rosa
Many developers provides a free trial for each users, but if you want to use those application to convert, you need to go to their website to get a key code.
Jay
Useful article. Detailed steps. Using PDF to Word converter software may be a good choice. I will try Cisdem PDF to Word Converter.
Dyson
When the file is uploaded, it will be immediately uploaded to your Google Drive and right away opened for preview. Convert a PDF to a Word Document Step 25.
Ronald852
PDF to word converter with OCR is so great! I had a complex scanned PDF file and I wanted to convert it to Word. This application is powerful, it retains all formats. Thanks for it.
will
I just went to zamzar and it is NOT free and the latest reader, Adobe Feader DC does NOT save as a .docx. It saves as txt.
Helga746
Three ways to convert PDF to Word, and every way all are equipped with detailed steps to operate. Writer is so great!!! I used solution 2 as my PDF was OCR file. Its transition effects were great. I like it!!!
Nora Osborne
Useful article, writer recommended various methods to convert PDF to Word and very detailed steps. It is great. I will try.