FastlyConvert

FastlyConvert

PDF to Word Converter

Convert PDF files to editable Word documents. Preserve formatting, tables, and images perfectly.

check_circle100% Free edit_documentEditable Output format_shapesPreserve Layout
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Drop PDF file here

or click to select

PDF files up to 50MB

Why Convert PDF to Word?

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Edit Content

Make changes to text, images, and formatting

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Keep Layout

Preserve original formatting and structure

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Tables & Images

Retain tables, images, and charts

PDF to Word (DOCX Converter)

Convert a PDF into an editable Word document when you need to update text, reuse content, or collaborate with comments. Upload your PDF and download a DOCX you can open in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or LibreOffice.

What converts best?

  • Best: text-based PDFs with simple layouts
  • Harder: complex tables, multi-column designs, scanned pages
  • If the PDF is a scan, consider enabling OCR for editable text.

How to get better results

  1. Convert fewer pages first to verify layout.
  2. If tables break, try a different conversion mode/preset.
  3. For scanned PDFs, use OCR before converting.

Troubleshooting

  • Garbled characters: the PDF may use embedded fonts; try OCR or export as images.
  • Tables shifted: complex tables often reflow; manual touch-up may be needed.

Privacy & Security

To process your file, FastlyConvert temporarily uploads it to our servers, converts it, and then automatically deletes it within 24 hours. Transfers use HTTPS encryption. We do not sell your files or use them to build public datasets. If you need immediate deletion assistance, contact us at support@fastlyconvert.com. We recommend removing sensitive personal identifiers before uploading if you do not need them in the output.

FAQs

  1. Will it keep fonts and formatting? It tries to preserve layout; exact fidelity depends on the PDF structure.
  2. Is scanned PDF supported? Yes, but OCR is required for editable text.

Copyright & acceptable use: Please upload only files you own or have permission to use. Do not upload illegal, infringing, or sensitive personal content.

Common Use Cases

PDF to Word conversion is essential when you need to edit, update, or repurpose documents. Here are the most common scenarios where this tool helps.

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Edit Resumes & CVs

Update your resume or CV when you only have the PDF version. Convert it to Word, make your changes, and export back to PDF.

contract

Modify Contracts

Need to edit a contract or agreement? Convert to Word to make necessary changes, then save or share the updated version.

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Academic Documents

Edit research papers, thesis drafts, or academic articles. Convert to Word for easier collaboration and revision tracking.

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Extract Table Data

Extract data from tables in PDF reports or invoices. Once in Word, you can easily copy the data to Excel or other applications.

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Repurpose Content

Reuse text from PDF brochures, reports, or presentations in new documents without having to retype everything.

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Translate Documents

Convert PDFs to Word for easier translation. Word documents work better with translation tools and services.

How to Convert PDF to Word

Our converter extracts text, images, and formatting from your PDF and reconstructs them in an editable Word document. Follow these simple steps.

1
upload_file

Upload PDF

Click the upload area or drag and drop your PDF file. Files up to 50MB are supported.

2
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Choose Format

Select your output format: DOCX (recommended), DOC (legacy), or ODT (OpenDocument).

3
sync

Convert

Click "Convert to Word" and wait while our server processes your document.

4
download

Download

Download your editable Word document and open it in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or LibreOffice.

Understanding PDF Types

Not all PDFs are created equal. The conversion quality depends largely on how your PDF was created. Here's what you need to know.

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Native/Digital PDFs

Best conversion results

Created directly from Word, PowerPoint, or other software. Text is embedded as real text data.

How to identify:

  • checkYou can select and copy text
  • checkText appears sharp at any zoom level
  • checkYou can search for words in the document

✓ These PDFs convert excellently to Word

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Scanned PDFs

Requires OCR processing

Created by scanning paper documents. Each page is essentially an image, not real text.

How to identify:

  • closeCannot select or copy text
  • closeText may appear slightly blurry
  • closeSearch doesn't find words in the document

⚠ OCR may have some recognition errors

Choosing the Right Output Format

We offer three output formats to meet different needs. Here's how to choose the best one for your situation.

RECOMMENDED
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DOCX

Modern Word Format

The standard format for Microsoft Word 2007 and later. Best compatibility and smallest file size.

Works with:

  • checkMicrosoft Word 2007+
  • checkGoogle Docs
  • checkLibreOffice Writer
  • checkApple Pages
history

DOC

Legacy Word Format

The older format for Microsoft Word 97-2003. Use only if you need compatibility with older software.

Best for:

  • checkMicrosoft Word 97-2003
  • checkOlder systems
  • checkLegacy compatibility
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ODT

OpenDocument Format

An open standard format. Great for users of LibreOffice, OpenOffice, or those who prefer open formats.

Best for:

  • checkLibreOffice Writer
  • checkOpenOffice
  • checkGoogle Docs

Tips for Better Conversion Results

Follow these tips to get the best possible results when converting your PDFs to Word documents.

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Use Original Files When Possible

If you have access to the original Word file that created the PDF, use that instead. It will have perfect formatting and be much easier to edit.

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Check Scanned Documents

For scanned PDFs, ensure the scan quality is good. High-resolution, clear scans convert much better than blurry or low-resolution ones.

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Expect Some Formatting Differences

Complex layouts, custom fonts, or advanced formatting may not convert perfectly. Plan to do some minor cleanup in Word after conversion.

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Install Missing Fonts

If the converted document looks different, you may be missing fonts. Install the required fonts or choose similar substitutes in Word.

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Privacy & Security

Your documents are processed securely on our servers. We take your privacy seriously and implement multiple layers of protection.

  • check_circle Automatic Deletion: All uploaded files are automatically deleted within 24 hours after processing.
  • check_circle Encrypted Transfer: Files are transferred using HTTPS/SSL encryption for maximum security.
  • check_circle No Human Access: Our automated systems process your files without any human viewing or access.
  • check_circle No Content Storage: We never store, share, or analyze the contents of your documents.

For more details, please read our Privacy Policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about PDF to Word conversion. Can't find what you're looking for? Contact us.

Will the formatting stay exactly the same when converting PDF to Word?

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FastlyConvert aims to preserve the original layout, fonts, tables and images as closely as possible when converting PDF to Word. However, very complex designs may not match 100% and you may need to make small manual adjustments in Word. Simple documents with standard formatting typically convert perfectly, while documents with complex multi-column layouts, custom fonts, or intricate graphics may require some touch-up.

Can I convert scanned PDF to editable Word?

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If optical character recognition (OCR) is available and enabled, scanned PDFs can be converted to editable Word documents. The result depends on the scan quality and the language used in the document. High-resolution scans with clear text convert best. Low-quality scans or documents with unusual fonts may have some recognition errors that need manual correction.

Is there a file size limit for PDF to Word conversion?

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Yes, we currently support PDF files up to 50MB in size. This limit ensures fast processing and a good user experience. Most PDFs fall well under this limit. For larger files, you might consider splitting the PDF into smaller parts before conversion, or contact us for enterprise solutions.

Is my PDF secure and private?

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Yes, conversions are processed securely, and files are stored only for the time required to convert and deliver the result. All files are automatically deleted within 24 hours. We use HTTPS encryption for all file transfers, and our automated systems process files without any human access. For details, refer to our Privacy Policy.

Why is the converted text garbled or showing wrong characters?

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This usually happens when the PDF uses embedded fonts that aren't standard or when the PDF was created with unusual encoding. Try installing the original fonts used in the PDF, or the converted document may display correctly once opened on a system with the proper fonts. For scanned documents, low scan quality can also cause OCR errors.

Why are tables not aligned correctly after conversion?

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Complex table layouts can be challenging to convert perfectly. PDFs don't always store table structure in a way that translates directly to Word. Simple tables usually convert well, but tables with merged cells, nested tables, or unusual formatting may need manual adjustment. After conversion, you can easily fix table alignment using Word's table tools.

Does the converter support Chinese, Japanese, and other languages?

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Yes, our converter supports a wide range of languages including Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Hebrew, and most European languages. For best results with CJK (Chinese, Japanese, Korean) documents, ensure the PDF has proper font embedding. OCR for scanned documents works best with common languages.

How long does the conversion take?

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Most PDF to Word conversions complete within 10-60 seconds, depending on the file size and complexity. Simple text documents convert faster, while PDFs with many images or complex formatting take longer. Scanned documents requiring OCR may take additional time. You'll see a progress indicator during the conversion process.

Will images in my PDF be preserved?

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Yes, images embedded in your PDF will be extracted and included in the Word document. Image quality is preserved as closely as possible to the original. The positioning of images relative to text is also maintained, though complex text-wrap layouts may occasionally need adjustment.

Can I convert password-protected PDFs?

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Password-protected PDFs require the password to be removed before conversion. If you know the password, you can unlock the PDF using Adobe Acrobat or other PDF software first, then upload the unlocked version. We cannot bypass password protection on PDFs for security and legal reasons.

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