File Format & Compatibility

How to Open and Convert a PDF File in Microsoft Word

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to open and convert a PDF file into an editable Microsoft Word document, but wants to know the best methods and understand why certain scanned or protected PDFs fail to convert properly.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to open, view, or edit a PDF document using Microsoft Word.
Observed behavior: Word can convert basic PDFs into editable text, but struggles or fails to reliably convert files if they are scanned images, password-protected, or contain highly complex formatting.

Before you start

Ensure that the PDF file is not password-protected and contains mostly text rather than scanned images for the most accurate conversion results.

Solution 1Recommended

Open the PDF Using the Right-Click Menu

The quickest method to open and convert a PDF directly from your computer's file explorer.

This method forces Microsoft Word to act as the default program for opening your specific PDF file, triggering the built-in conversion tool.

Locate the PDF file

Navigate to the folder on your computer where the PDF file is saved.

Select Open with

Right-click the PDF file, select 'Open with' from the context menu, and choose 'Microsoft Word'. If Word is not listed, click 'Choose another app' to browse for it.

Confirm the conversion

A prompt will appear warning you that Word will convert the PDF to an editable document. Click 'OK' to proceed and wait for the conversion to finish.

Conversion Time: Depending on the size of the PDF and the amount of graphics it contains, the conversion process might take a few moments.

Solution 2

Open the PDF from Within Microsoft Word

Use the standard File menu in Word to browse for and open your PDF document.

Solution 3

Use a Dedicated PDF Converter for Complex Files

Best for scanned, protected, or heavily formatted PDFs that Microsoft Word cannot natively convert.

Easily Convert Complex PDFs to Word with WPS Office

If Microsoft Word struggles with formatting or scanned documents, WPS Office offers a powerful, built-in PDF-to-Word converter. With advanced OCR technology, it seamlessly transforms even the most stubborn PDFs into fully editable Word documents.

1. Open WPS Office: Launch the WPS Office application and navigate to the 'PDF' tab on the main dashboard.
2. Select PDF to Word: Click on the 'PDF to Word' conversion tool located in the top toolbar.
3. Add your file: Drag and drop your PDF file into the converter window, or click to browse your local files.
4. Start conversion: Click 'Start'. WPS Office will quickly convert the file and open it as a perfectly formatted, editable Word document.

Highly accurate conversion preserving original formatting and layoutsBuilt-in OCR technology extracts text from scanned PDF imagesFully compatible with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .doc)Edit PDF files directly without needing to convert them first

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my PDF look different after opening it in Microsoft Word?

Microsoft Word optimizes the document to allow you to edit the text. Complex layouts, intricate tables, graphics, or unique fonts present in the original PDF may shift or disappear because Word's rendering engine differs from a dedicated PDF viewer.

Can Microsoft Word convert a scanned PDF into editable text?

Generally, no. Word treats scanned PDFs as static images. To edit text from a scanned PDF, you must use software with OCR (Optical Character Recognition) capabilities before opening it in Word.

How do I open a password-protected PDF in Word?

Microsoft Word cannot natively unlock a protected PDF. You must first remove the password using a dedicated PDF editor or utility, save the unprotected version, and then open that new file in Word.

How do I save a Word document back to a PDF?

Once you have finished editing the document in Word, click 'File', select 'Save As', choose your desired folder, and change the 'Save as type' dropdown to 'PDF' before clicking Save.

Document & File Issues