How to Fix Formatting When Converting a PDF to RTF or Word
Question details
The user needs to remove or fix inconsistent formatting when converting a PDF file to an RTF or Word document using Adobe Acrobat.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Exporting a PDF document to an editable text format like RTF or Word while maintaining or intentionally stripping the original formatting.
- Observed behavior
- PDF-to-RTF conversions are producing different and often broken formatting depending on the export method, source structure, and Acrobat version.
Before attempting the conversion again, verify your current version of Adobe Acrobat and consider whether you need to preserve the layout or if you just need plain text.
Export Directly to Word (.docx) Instead of RTF
RTF (Rich Text Format) has limited formatting capabilities compared to the standard Word format. Exporting directly to Word often yields better layout retention and easier formatting management.
Because PDF documents often contain complex layouts, floating images, and advanced typography, converting them to a basic format like RTF can cause text to misalign or formatting to break completely. Microsoft Word formats handle these complex structures much more effectively.
Launch Adobe Acrobat DC or Acrobat Reader DC and open the PDF file you wish to convert.
Go to the right-hand pane and click on 'Export PDF'. Alternatively, click on 'File' in the top menu, then select 'Export To'.
Choose 'Microsoft Word' as your export format, and then specifically select 'Word Document' (*.docx) instead of 'Rich Text Format'.
Save the file and open it in Microsoft Word. If you want to remove all formatting, press Ctrl+A to select all text, then click the 'Clear All Formatting' button on the Home tab.
Update Adobe Acrobat to the Latest Version
Software updates frequently resolve known conversion bugs and improve formatting retention engines in Adobe Acrobat.
Use Adobe Document Cloud Online Services
If the desktop application is struggling with the conversion, Adobe's online PDF services might offer a more up-to-date conversion process.
Easily Convert PDF to Word with High Accuracy Using WPS Office
WPS Office features a powerful, built-in PDF to Word converter that maintains excellent layout accuracy or allows you to easily clear formatting after conversion. It is fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats, offering a seamless and lightweight alternative for document management.
- 1. Open your PDF: Launch WPS Office and click on the 'PDF' tab to open your document.
- 2. Select PDF to Word: On the top toolbar or the left panel, click on the 'PDF to Word' conversion tool.
- 3. Convert the file: Choose your desired output format (.docx or .doc) and destination, then click 'Start'.
- 4. Adjust formatting: Once the conversion finishes, the file will automatically open in WPS Writer, where you can easily use the 'Clear Formatting' tool to remove any unwanted text styles.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I quickly remove all formatting from a converted Word or RTF document?
You can easily strip all formatting by selecting all text (pressing Ctrl+A) in your word processor, such as WPS Writer or Microsoft Word, and clicking the 'Clear All Formatting' button (usually an 'A' with an eraser icon) in the Home tab. Alternatively, copy the text and paste it as 'Keep Text Only'.
Why does my PDF look different when exported to RTF compared to Word?
RTF (Rich Text Format) is a much simpler file format that does not support complex layouts, floating objects, side-by-side columns, or advanced typography found in PDFs. Exporting to a standard Word (.docx) format handles these complex document structures much better.
Do I need a paid Adobe Acrobat subscription to convert PDF to Word?
Yes, exporting PDFs to editable Word or RTF files via the Adobe Acrobat desktop application typically requires a paid Acrobat Pro or Standard subscription. However, you can use alternative comprehensive suites like WPS Office, which includes excellent PDF-to-Word conversion features.
