Fix Missing Content When Exporting PDF to Word 2016
Question details
Sections of a converted document are missing when opening a DOCX file exported from a PDF in Microsoft Word 2016.
- Product
- PDF Converter / Word 2016
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A user is exporting a PDF document to a DOCX format but finds that certain sections of the content disappear when viewing the file specifically in Word 2016.
- Observed behavior
- The exported DOCX document appears perfectly fine in older versions of Word, but significant portions of text or layout sections are completely missing when opened in Microsoft Word 2016.
Ensure your Microsoft Word 2016 installation is fully updated, as outdated display engines can sometimes fail to render complex exported layouts. Additionally, keep a secure copy of your original PDF document before testing different conversion methods.
Test Document Integrity and Use the Online Converter
Isolate whether the problem is specific to the document's formatting or the local conversion application by using a cloud-based PDF exporter.
Complex layers, embedded fonts, or corrupted formatting in a specific PDF can cause local desktop applications to struggle during the conversion process. Testing another file and utilizing a cloud-based conversion service bypasses local rendering glitches.
Select a completely different PDF document that contains similar text and layout elements, and convert it to a DOCX file.
Launch Microsoft Word 2016 and open the newly converted test document to see if sections are still missing.
If the issue persists, open a web browser and navigate to Adobe's online Export PDF portal (cloud.acrobat.com/exportpdf).
Log in with your Adobe ID, upload your original problematic PDF, and choose the 'Export to Word' option.
Download the newly exported DOCX file from the web portal and open it in Word 2016 to confirm if the missing content has been correctly restored.
Adjust Word 2016 Display and Layout Settings
Reveal content that successfully converted but is being hidden by Word 2016's specific layout or draft view settings.
Convert PDFs Accurately with WPS Office
Avoid frustrating layout errors and missing content by using the built-in PDF to Word conversion tool in WPS Office. Engineered for high format retention, it accurately extracts text and layout frames while ensuring absolute compatibility with standard DOCX formats.
- 1. Launch WPS Office: Open WPS Office on your device and navigate to the 'PDF' tab from the main home screen.
- 2. Open your PDF file: Click 'Open' and select the target PDF document you wish to convert into a Word file.
- 3. Select PDF to Word: In the top toolbar of the PDF viewer, locate and click on the 'PDF to Word' conversion tool.
- 4. Configure conversion settings: In the pop-up dialog, adjust your desired page range and output format (DOC/DOCX), then click the 'Convert' button.
- 5. Edit the converted document: Once the process is complete, the new Word document will automatically open in WPS Writer, allowing you to edit all content with no missing sections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my converted document look fine in Word 2013 but loses content in Word 2016?
Word 2016 introduced updates to its rendering and layout engines. If the PDF conversion tool relies on deprecated drawing objects or intricate overlapping frames, Word 2016 might fail to render them on-screen, whereas older, more lenient versions of Word will display them normally.
How can I tell if a specific PDF file is causing the missing content?
You can isolate the issue by converting a different PDF file using the exact same software and settings. If the newly converted file displays perfectly in Word 2016, the original PDF likely contains complex layers, unusual margins, or unmapped fonts causing the export glitch.
Is there a way to recover the missing content in Word 2016 without converting it again?
Sometimes the missing text is hidden or pushed off the margins rather than truly deleted. Try pressing Ctrl+A to select all the text in the document, go to the Home tab, and select 'Clear All Formatting'. Alternatively, switching to 'Draft' view can reveal hidden text blocks.
Does converting a PDF to Word as an image prevent missing content?
Converting PDF pages strictly as images will guarantee that you do not lose visual layout elements, but the text will no longer be editable. If you need editability, look for conversion tools that offer an 'Exact Layout' or OCR mode.
