This page converts a scanned PDF into an editable Word document. Every page is read with text recognition (OCR), and the text is rebuilt as paragraphs, headings and tables you can edit in Word, Google Docs or LibreOffice. The recognition runs in your browser, so the scan never leaves your device.
Convert a scanned PDF to Word
- Click Choose a PDF and pick the scan. Type the password if it asks for one.
- Pick the Text language if it is not covered by Auto.
- Click Convert to Word. The first time, the text recognition engine (about 11 MB) and, with tables on, the table engine (about 19 MB) are downloaded and cached.
Scans that convert well
| Document | Result |
|---|---|
| Printed letters and reports | Editable paragraphs |
| Old contracts or forms on paper | Text you can update and reuse |
| Printed tables and price lists | Word tables with rows and columns |
| Photos of pages saved as PDF | Editable text, if the photo is straight and sharp |
Tips for better results
- Scan at 300 DPI if you can, straight and in good light.
- Turn sideways pages the right way up first with Rotate PDF.
- Only need the text, or a searchable PDF? Use OCR PDF.
- Proofread the result: text recognition can confuse similar letters and numbers, such as 0 and O.