Free PDF To Word Converters

Your choice of FREE PDF to Word converters is fairly limited. However, if you are prepared to do a bit of editing once the conversion has been done, then finding a free converter isn't impossible.

HelloPDF converter review

This is possibly the best of the free PDF to Word converters. However, you will need to accept that once the conversion is complete, there will be some serious editing required. But it does a far better job than others I have tested.... which really isn't saying much at all, as the others produce little more than an unworkable mess.

The first thing you will notice after converting the PDF, is that all text is put into text boxes. And the next thing, is that there are unexplained gaps in your words. See the image below for a typical example of this.

So be prepared to get a little frustrated: after fixing up the first few pages, it gets very tiresome. Trust me on this, I have done it.

What you will need to fix

The first thing is all of those gaps, obviously. And some of them just aren't that easy to fix... it all depends on where each text box ends. If the gap is inside one of the text areas, then you have no problem. Just put your cursor in the gap,and backspace.

But if the extra gap appears between the text areas, then you have trouble. You have to manually drag the whole text area to close the gap...which of course means the next one is misplaced. So you have to move that as well. And so on, until you get to the end of the paragraph.

There are very few options available prior to converting, but one of them will stop this happening. The instructions recommend using text boxes. BUT...in my experience, you will get far better results if you don't use this option. Not using text boxes will mean your Table of Contents is out of alignment. But as it isn't functional and will neeed to be replaced anyway, that's no big deal.

Conclusions

It really depends on two things, as to whether you use this free PDF to Word converter.

1. How much you have to do. For larger documents, or use on a regular basis, you are better to get deskUNPDF
2. If you are prepared to spend time doing a lot of editing afterwards

If you are only doing a one off conversion, and the PDF isn't too large (or contains complicated tables) then this converter will probably do the job for you.

But if you are expecting to do this type of work regularly, then do yourself a favor: purchase Docudesk™ deskUNPDF Professional. That has just so many options, and does a great job.

You can get HelloPDF from this website