The short answer
In Microsoft Word, go to File › Open, choose the PDF, and click OK when Word says it will convert it. Word makes an editable copy and leaves the original PDF unchanged. Without Word, upload the PDF to Google Drive, right-click it and choose Open with › Google Docs. Both work best with mostly-text PDFs.
Need to change a few words in a PDF, fill in a form or reuse its text? You don’t need special software. Microsoft Word and Google Docs can both turn a PDF into an editable document.
Option 1: Microsoft Word
Works in recent versions of Word, including Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2021 and Word 2019.
- Open Word.
- Go to File › Open and select the PDF (you may need to click Browse).
- Word explains that it will make a copy and convert it. Click OK.
- Edit the document.
- To save, go to File › Save As and choose Word Document (.docx), or PDF if you want a PDF again.
Microsoft says the original PDF won’t be changed.
In Word for the web
Open the PDF from OneDrive in Word for the web and choose to edit it. Word converts it to a Word document. Formatting may differ from the original.
Option 2: Google Docs (free)
- Go to drive.google.com and upload the PDF (New › File upload).
- Right-click the PDF and choose Open with › Google Docs.
- A new Google Doc opens with the PDF’s text.
- Edit it, then download it as a Word file with File › Download › Microsoft Word (.docx) if needed.
Google Docs can also recognize text in scanned PDFs and images, though formatting like tables and columns may be lost.
What converts well (and what doesn’t)
Both Microsoft and Google note that conversion works best for PDFs that are mostly text.
| Converts well | May not convert well |
|---|---|
| Letters, reports and simple documents | Complex layouts with many columns |
| Documents originally made in Word | Scanned pages and photos of documents |
| Short forms with plain text | Brochures, magazines and design-heavy files |
If you have the original file
Microsoft’s advice: if a PDF was created in Word or another Office app, it’s better to edit the original file and save it as a PDF again.
Keep sensitive documents safe
Avoid uploading contracts, IDs and financial documents to unknown “free PDF converter” websites. Use Word, Google Docs or other software you already trust.
Related guides
Converting with Google Docs uses your Google Drive space. If it’s full, see how to free up Google storage. Need to send the result later? You can schedule an email in Gmail or Outlook.
The bottom line
In Word, use File › Open on the PDF. Without Word, upload it to Google Drive and Open with › Google Docs. Check the formatting afterwards, especially on complex or scanned documents.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my converted document look different?
PDFs store a fixed layout, while Word documents reflow text. Microsoft notes that lines and page breaks may land in different places, and complex layouts or scanned pages may not convert well.
Can I convert a scanned PDF?
Scanned PDFs are images of text. Google Docs can recognize text in scanned files when you open them with Docs, but results depend on scan quality. Check the converted text carefully.
Are free online PDF converters safe?
Be careful with sensitive documents. When you upload a file to an unknown website, you don't control how it's stored or used. Word and Google Docs let you convert without using extra services.
Why you can trust this guide
- Based on official sources. The steps here are checked against the 3 official sources listed below, such as the help pages of the companies involved.
- Checked and dated. Last checked on November 10, 2026. We update guides when software or advice changes.
- Independent. No company paid for or reviewed this guide. We don't sell products, and ads never influence our advice.
- Open to corrections. Spotted an error? Tell us and we'll fix it. Read how we research.
Sources
- Microsoft Support — Edit a PDF in Word
- Microsoft Support — Edit or make changes to a PDF file
- Google Drive Help — Convert PDF and photo files to text
This guide is general information. Menus and features can change with software updates, and steps may differ on your device or version. Back up important data before making big changes. Read our disclaimer.
