Convert PDF to DOCX online in seconds, and keep layouts, images, and tables intact. Fast, accurate, and free in your browser; no installs required.
Trying to edit a PDF in Word? It doesn't work unless you convert it first. That's why we built a way for you to upload any PDF and get a clean DOCX file in seconds.
No formatting mess, no copy-pasting. Just drag, convert, and download. Let's walk you through how it works and why it saves you time.
How to Convert PDF to DOCX Online with Smallpdf
Here's the quick way to turn your PDF into an editable Word document:
1. Upload Your PDF from Device or Cloud
Go to PDF to Word Converter.
Drag your file in, or tap to upload from your device, Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox. We support all standard PDFs, from digital forms to scanned receipts.
2. Turn on OCR for Scanned PDFs
If your PDF is just an image—like a scanned document or photo—you'll need text recognition to make it editable.
When you upload, choose the OCR (Optical Character Recognition) option. That'll let Smallpdf scan the file and pull real text out of the image, so you can edit it later.
OCR is part of the Pro plan, but you can try it for free with a 7-day trial. No pressure, just helpful if you're working with scanned content.
3. Convert and Download Your DOCX
Click “Convert,” and the file will process. Once it's done, download your new DOCX file.
Open it in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or any editor you like. The formatting, fonts, and images should look just like the original.
Convert PDF to DOCX in a Few Steps
PDF to Word Features and Benefits
There are dozens of converters online. Here's why ours stands out:
Preserves Formatting, Images, and Tables
- Layout, spacing, columns, and fonts carry over perfectly
- Images and tables stay in place and remain editable
- Complex documents maintain their professional appearance
Private and Secure File Processing
- Uploads are encrypted with SSL/TLS during transfer
- Files are processed quickly, then automatically deleted
- We never store or share your documents
Works on Any Device, No Install
- Mac, PC, Linux, iOS, Android—you name it
- Everything runs in your browser
- No install or signup required
Popular ways people use this:
- Updating contracts: Edit terms in old PDF agreements without starting from scratch
- Repurposing content: Copy info from a PDF report into a new format
- Filling out scanned forms: Convert, edit, then re-export as PDF with changes
- Extracting tables: Use Excel to clean up data copied from converted DOCX files
- Translation or localization: Translate PDFs by converting them to Word first
Need OCR for scanned PDFs or batch conversion? Try Smallpdf Pro free for 7 days — convert unlimited files with advanced features.
How To Convert Multiple PDFs at Once
If you're dealing with more than one PDF, you can still convert them. Just repeat the process for each file. It's fast and free.
Want a smarter way? Merge your PDFs first:
- Go to Merge PDF
- Combine all your files into one
- Then convert that single PDF to DOCX
This gives you one document to work with, instead of five. Perfect if you're assembling reports, contracts, or invoices.
Quick Tips Before You Convert
Want better results? Do this first:
- Use Edit PDF to remove marks or extras you don't want
- Shrink large PDFs with Compress PDF to speed up uploads
- Only enable OCR for scanned files — it's not needed for digital PDFs
And always check your DOCX after converting. Complex layouts may need light cleanup, especially if your PDF includes mixed columns or overlapping content.
PDF to Word FAQs
How Do I Convert a PDF to Word for Free?
Simply upload your PDF above and click 'Convert.' Smallpdf offers free conversions daily, with no email required. For unlimited conversions and OCR features, try Pro free for 7 days.
Can I Convert Scanned PDFs to Editable Word?
Yes — enable OCR before converting to extract text from scanned documents or image-based PDFs, making them fully editable in Word.
How Do I Keep the Formatting When Converting?
Smallpdf preserves your PDF's original formatting, including fonts, images, tables, and layout. Complex documents with special fonts may require minor adjustments in Word.
Can I Convert a PDF to DOCX Using Microsoft Word?
Yes — Word can open PDFs directly (File > Open), though formatting results may vary quite a bit. Smallpdf provides a free, browser-based alternative with consistent results.
Can I convert a secured PDF?
Yes, but you'll need to remove the password first. Go to Unlock PDF, then come back and run the conversion.
Do I need Word installed to open the DOCX?
Not at all. You can use Google Docs, LibreOffice, or any editor that supports .docx files, even on mobile.
