How to edit the text of a PDF
- 1Choose the PDF you need to change.
- 2Convert it. The text is rebuilt as real paragraphs and headings in a DOCX.
- 3Open the DOCX in Word, Google Docs, Pages or LibreOffice and make your edits.
- 4Turn it back into a PDF with Word to PDF, or your editor's Save as PDF.
Why use PDF Workdesk for PDF to Word
- Runs in your browser: your files are never uploaded
- Free, with no sign-up and no daily limit
- No watermark on the result
- Works on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iPhone and iPad
What converts well
Text documents exported from Word or another app convert best: letters, contracts, reports, CVs. Headings, bold and italic text and paragraphs come back as editable text you can retype, restyle and reflow.
Images aren't carried over yet, and complex layouts with many columns or text boxes may need some tidying. Scanned PDFs are pictures of text, so there's nothing to edit until OCR arrives.
Just need a small change?
If you only need to remove a page, reorder pages or black out a name, you don't need Word at all: use Delete pages, Organize pages or Redact PDF and keep the original layout exactly.
Frequently asked questions
Will it look exactly like the PDF?
The text and its structure come back; the exact layout may not. PDFs store positioned text, not paragraphs, so the converter rebuilds them.
Can I edit a scanned PDF?
Not yet. Scanned pages are images and need text recognition (OCR), which is coming soon.
Is my PDF uploaded?
No. The conversion runs in your browser.
Does it work with Google Docs?
Yes. Upload the DOCX to Google Drive and open it with Google Docs.