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How to Search and Batch Convert Multiple PDF Files to Word
Question details
The user needs to search across approximately 200 PDF files for specific keywords without opening each one individually, and wants to batch convert these files to Microsoft Word.
- Product
- PDF documents
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Managing and extracting information from a large volume of PDFs stored on external discs to make the contents searchable and editable in bulk.
- Observed behavior
- Searching and converting individual files one by one is too time-consuming, requiring a bulk processing and indexing solution to handle hundreds of documents.
Copy all the PDF files from your external discs into a single local folder on your computer's hard drive to ensure faster search indexing and smoother batch conversion.
Use Desktop Search to Find Keywords Across Multiple PDFs
Use your operating system's built-in search tools to scan a designated folder of PDFs for specific keywords without opening them.
Windows and macOS both include powerful desktop search indexing features that can scan the text inside documents, provided the files are stored on a local drive and the content is text-based (not scanned images).
Transfer all your PDF files from the external discs into one main folder on your computer.
Open File Explorer, navigate to the folder, click on the three dots (More) > Options > Search tab, and check 'Always search file names and contents'.
Use the search bar at the top right of File Explorer (Windows) or Spotlight (Mac) and type your specific keyword to list all PDFs containing that term.
Batch Convert PDFs to Word Using PDF Software
Use a dedicated PDF editing software with batch processing capabilities to convert multiple PDFs to Word simultaneously.
Batch Convert PDFs to Word Easily with WPS Office
WPS Office includes a robust PDF toolset that allows you to manage, edit, and batch convert multiple PDF files to editable Word documents in just a few clicks.
- 1. Launch WPS PDF: Open WPS Office on your computer and select the 'PDF' tab from the main interface.
- 2. Access PDF to Word: Click on 'PDF to Word' located in the top toolbar or the Tools menu.
- 3. Add files in bulk: Click 'Add Files' in the converter window and select all the PDFs you want to convert from your folder.
- 4. Configure output settings: Choose your desired save path and confirm the output file format is set to DOC or DOCX.
- 5. Convert: Click 'Start' to batch convert all selected files simultaneously and seamlessly open them in WPS Writer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my computer's search tool not finding keywords inside my PDFs?
By default, operating system search tools may only index file names. You need to configure your folder or search options to include 'File contents' or ensure that a PDF iFilter is installed on your system to read the text inside the PDFs.
Can I convert scanned PDFs to Word in bulk?
Yes, but you must use a PDF converter that supports both batch processing and OCR (Optical Character Recognition). Standard conversion only pulls text data; OCR is necessary to recognize and extract editable text from images or scanned pages.
Will batch converting PDFs to Word mess up the formatting?
High-quality PDF editors use advanced algorithms to retain the original formatting, including tables, images, and fonts. However, complex layouts may occasionally require minor manual adjustments in Word after the conversion is complete.
Is it safe to use free online PDF converters for batch processing large amounts of files?
While online converters are convenient, uploading large batches of files (like 200 PDFs) can be extremely slow, subject to file size limits, and may pose data privacy risks. Desktop software is highly recommended for processing large volumes and protecting sensitive data.
