How to Fix Acrobat PDF to Word Converting as Table Paragraphs
Question details
Users need to resolve an issue where converting a PDF to a Word document results in text being formatted as 'Table Paragraphs' rather than normal, editable text.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Exporting a complex PDF document, originally created in Adobe InDesign, to Microsoft Word format on a Mac.
- Observed behavior
- Much of the document content appears in Word's Table Paragraph style instead of standard text, making editing difficult due to the complex page layouts and PDF structure.
Ensure both your Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Word applications are updated to the latest versions on your Mac, as conversion algorithms are frequently improved in software patches.
Adjust Acrobat Export Settings for Word
Modify the conversion settings in Adobe Acrobat to prioritize flowing text over visual layout retention.
By default, Adobe Acrobat may attempt to recreate the exact visual layout of a complex PDF by using hidden tables and text boxes in Word. Changing the export settings can help generate standard paragraphs instead.
Launch Adobe Acrobat, open the problematic PDF file, and click on 'Export a PDF' from the right-hand tool pane.
Choose 'Microsoft Word' as the export format, and then select 'Word Document'.
Click the gear icon (Settings) next to the document type. Under the Layout Settings, select 'Retain Flowing Text' rather than 'Retain Page Layout'. This prevents Acrobat from forcing text into rigid table structures.
Click 'Export' and save the new Word document. Open the file in Microsoft Word to confirm the text is now using standard paragraph styles.
Export Directly from Adobe InDesign
Bypass the PDF intermediary completely by exporting to a text-friendly format straight from the source document.
Use WPS PDF to Word Converter for Better Text Flow
WPS Office includes a highly accurate PDF to Word conversion tool that intelligently recognizes text blocks and paragraphs. It prioritizes natural text flow, reducing the likelihood of forced table formatting commonly caused by complex PDF layouts.
- 1. Open WPS Office: Launch WPS Office on your computer and select 'PDF to Word' from the toolkit on the homepage.
- 2. Add Your PDF: Drag and drop the complex PDF document into the conversion window, or click 'Add Files' to browse your system.
- 3. Convert to Word Document: Choose '.docx' as the output format, select your preferred save location, and click 'Start'. The converted file will open automatically with properly formatted paragraphs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my PDF convert into tables instead of normal text in Microsoft Word?
PDFs are fixed-layout visual documents without structural formatting like Word paragraphs. To maintain the exact visual position of text elements from complex layouts (like overlapping text boxes from InDesign), converters often use hidden tables to lock text into place, resulting in 'Table Paragraph' styling.
How can I remove the 'Table Paragraph' formatting from my Word document?
You can manually fix this in Microsoft Word by selecting the affected table, navigating to the 'Table Layout' tab, and clicking 'Convert to Text'. Once converted, highlight the text and apply the 'Normal' style from the Home tab.
Is there a way to edit the PDF directly instead of converting it to Word?
Yes. Modern PDF editors, such as WPS Office and Adobe Acrobat DC, allow you to edit text, change fonts, and modify paragraphs directly within the PDF file without needing to export it to Microsoft Word first.
