The PDF is a very versatile format suitable for a wide range of applications, but it is not a format intended for heavy text editing and word processing. Because the PDF's primary purpose is to display information faithfully and provide a space for assembling digital assets, it has only basic support for text operations. Seeing that the average PDF reader only lets you view documents, not edit them, it's no surprise that many users wonder how to open PDF files in word for editing.

Today, this process is much easier than it was in the past. Users with the most recent versions of Microsoft Word have a built-in option for opening PDF files, but it has some limitations. Advanced tools such as Tungsten Power PDF can make this operation simple and stress-free for high-volume enterprise users. Explore what each process involves.

Open PDF files in MS Word directly

In recent years, Microsoft Word has gained several new features in releases pushed to the public. One such addition is support for opening PDF files through the word processor. Although Word cannot open a PDF as a PDF, it can now execute a basic type of file conversion. Simply launch Word and use the "Open File" dialog to find and open the PDF.

This process creates a copy of the PDF's contents as a Word document while keeping the original PDF intact. Microsoft notes in its support documentation that this process works poorly with some PDF elements, including tables, footnotes, and comments. You should also keep in mind that any changes made to the Word document won't reflect in the original PDF.

Use power PDF to convert PDFs to Word

Using software built for these workflows is the better choice. With Power PDF, working on complex documents with greater fidelity is vastly more accessible. Converting to and from the Word format takes seconds and yields better results across the board. Because Power PDF can also convert formats such as Excel, it handles tabular data much better than Word can on its own.

The process in Power PDF is so simple and familiar that document conversions become an afterthought. Here's how easy it is:

1. Open the PDF you need to convert using Power PDF.
2. Use the "File" menu to select the "Save As" option.
3. Specify your destination folder.
4. Locate "Save as type" in the dialog box and change the desired format to "Word Document."
5. Click save.

Power PDF produces a brand-new Word document you can now use for work. When ready, you can convert the file back to PDF using Power PDF as well.

Related Post: How to convert Microsoft Word files to PDF

Make every PDF looks its best with better tools

With the appropriate tools, switching between formats to make the changes your document needs is quick and easy. Power PDF not only provides users with the flexibility necessary to convert documents but to edit PDF files and manage every aspect. Power PDF puts all this functionality at your fingertips in a familiar software environment, from creating brand-new documents to merging PDFs and rearranging their pages. See firsthand how simple it is to learn when you download a 15-day trial for free today.