Effortless Conversion From PDF to Word on macOS: Discover the Best Free Tools That Preserve Original Layout

How to Convert PDF to Word on Mac Free Without Formatting Lose

Posted by Iris Yan on 3/5/2024 4:55:38 PM.

In our everyday tasks, the PDF file stands out as one of the most commonly used formats, whether for business contracts or other confidential documents. However, there are instances when we need to edit a PDF file, and this becomes challenging due to its format. The question arises: How can I edit my PDF file? Converting PDF to Word proves to be a viable solution.

In this article, I will introduce four methods to convert PDF to Word on Mac. All of these methods are entirely free and well worth trying! If you are looking for a free PDF to Word Converter for Mac, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to learn the details.

Method 1: Mac-pre installed software—Mac Automator App

This method does not need you to install any software on your Mac but to use the pre-installed app–Automator to build a custom workflow to convert the PDF to plain text or RTF documents which can be open with Word.

Here is the step by step guide to help you convert PDF to Word on Mac with Automator.

Step 1: Run Automator, which can be found in your Application folder or Launchpad, select “application” and click on “choose”.

Step 2: Go to “PDFs” under “Action” tab at the left column and then click “Extract PDF Text” at the central column. Then drag and drop “Extract PDF Text” to the right column to build your workflow and a new window will pop up as below picture.

Choose “Rich Text” as the output, select where you want to store your output file and choose the name option for your output file.

Step 3: Once this has done, please go to the file option and save it as below picture.

Please ensure the File format is Application, not Workflow. Then fill in “PDF to Word Apps” and choose where to store this application and mine is Desktop. When above has been done, click on “Save” button to generate the application.

Step 4: Now you have your own “PDF to Word Apps”. To convert the PDF to Word, you just need to drag and drop the PDF file on the top of the “PDF to Word Apps” and a new file with the.rtf will be created. You can use the Word to open this RTF file.

Once this “PDF to Word Apps” has been generated, you can convert any of your PDF to Word within seconds. The drawback of this method is it does not support batch conversion and can not handle scanned PDF files. What’s more, text format is the only output format you can choose.

Method 2: Online PDF to Word Converter

There are a variety of online PDF to Word converters for Mac available, and they are entirely free and very easy to use. However, it’s crucial to conduct some research before utilizing their services because some lack privacy policies or disclaimers. You never know how they will handle your uploaded documents. If your PDF file contains business-confidential information, it’s advisable not to use online services.

Here I have selected some real popular online PDF to Word Converters for your options.

PDFOnline – http://www.pdfonline.com/
Zamzar –http://www.zamzar.com/
Smallpdf–https://smallpdf.com/pdf-to-word
OnlineOCR (for converting scanned PDFs) – http://www.onlineocr.net/

Although the online PDF to Word conversion service is very convenient for users and money-saving. If you take the security concerns into consideration, you should really give this service up. Also, online conversion service will not give you well-quality converted file.

Method 3: Google Docs

Google Drive offers online storage services, but its functionality extends beyond that. You might have overlooked its capability to convert PDF to Word. Today, I will show you how to convert PDF to Word on Mac using Google Docs. It is a safe, convenient, and easy-to-use method, but you need to have your own Google account.

Step 1: log in your Google Drive and upload the PDF file. When you log in your Google Drive, click on ‘NEW’ tab at the top left corner and then click on “file upload” button to choose the file from your Mac.

When the file uploaded successfully, a message will pop up at the buttom to remind you.

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Step 2: find the uploaded file at the file list and right click the file title to select open with this file with Google Docs as the below picture.

The PDF file will be open and can be edited now.

Step 3: Click “File” menu and Download this file as Microsoft Word(.docx). Now you will get this PDF file converted to Word.

Google Docs can convert your PDF to Word while preserving the formatting of your converted documents. However, it requires an internet connection throughout the entire process. If you have your own Google account, you should give this method a try. Nevertheless, it doesn’t support batch conversion and can be a bit time-consuming if you need to convert multiple files at once.

Method 4: Calibre

Calibre combines eBook converter with eBook management. As a freeware, Calibre enables you to convert eBooks from one format to another in the batch. So you can convert PDF to Word on Mac with Calibre.

Step 1: Download Calibre and install it. Please download the Calibre for Mac here . and install it as its instruction.

Step 2: Add your PDF file to Calibre and then right click the PDF file title. Select “Convert Books” at the dropdown list and then you can choose “convert individually” or “Bulk convert” according to your requirements.

Step 3: It will pop up a new windows so that you can edit the metadata of the PDF file. Please choose “DOCX” as the output format and then click on “OK” button. Calibre will start to convert the PDF file to Word.

Different from the other three methods, this one requires you to install software on your Mac first, but it is also completely free and easy to use. This method, particularly suitable for users with numerous PDF files to convert, supports batch conversion.

These are the four methods to convert PDF to Word on Mac that I want to share with you today. I’m aware there are other methods, such as Acrobat Pro DC, which is a professional PDF tool. With it, you can edit, convert, and sign PDFs, but its subscription fee is 14.99 USD per month. In my opinion, it is excessively expensive. Nevertheless, the converted Docx will never let you down!

Pro tip: How to Convert DRM-Protected PDF to DOCX

IIf you’ve purchased DRM-protected eBooks in PDF format, consider using Epubor Ultimate . This tool not only removes DRM but also converts the PDF to DOCX, MOBI, EPUB, or TXT formats.

Download Epubor Ultimate for free:

FAQS on Converting PDF to Word on Mac

Frequently Asked Questions on Converting PDF to Word on Mac

Q: How to convert PDF to Word without losing formatting on Mac?

A: Converting PDF to Word may result in some formatting loss when using free online converters, Google Docs, and the Mac Automator App. However, Calibre and Epubor Ultimate excel in preserving the original quality when extracting your PDF to Word format. If retaining your PDF formatting is crucial, Epubor Ultimate and Calibre are the better choices.

Q: How do I convert a PDF to Word on Mac 100% free?

A: The methods mentioned in this article are entirely free for converting PDF to Word on Mac. However, if your PDF files are DRM-protected, you’ll need to use Epubor Ultimate, which is a paid software with a free trial version. The conversion feature is entirely free, but the DRM decrypting feature is a paid option. The trial version only decrypts 20% of the content in each PDF.

Q: Is it safe to convert PDF to Word on Mac?

A: Converting PDF to Word on Mac is generally safe, especially if you use reputable and trusted tools or methods. Always exercise caution when dealing with sensitive information and consider the reputation and security measures of the tools or services you choose. When converting PDF to Word on Mac, Epubor Ultimate is always a safer choice, as it is reputable and reviewed by many users. Compared to online PDF to DOCX services, Epubor Ultimate doesn’t require uploading any files online; it processes all files locally on your computer.

Q: Is there any open-source PDF to Word Converter for Mac?

A: One open-source PDF to Word converter for Mac is Calibre. It’s a well-known ebook manager which also features converting PDF files to DOCX format. Please note that open-source tools may have limitations compared to commercial solutions, and their user interfaces may not be as polished. Alternatively, Epubor Ultimate always offers an updated user interface with the best customer support.

Download Epubor Ultimate for free:

Iris Yan has been a passionate member of Epubor since 2017. Her mission is to enhance your ebook reading experience by sharing insightful tips and tricks. Join her on a journey towards reading excellence today!

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1 Comments

Calvinhudson

Re:How to Convert PDF to Word on Mac

04/7/2019 23:14:40

Thanks for the sharing. I’d also recommend Acethinker PDF Converter which I have used for many years. It’s a free web-based application to convert PDF, you don’t have to install anything.

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Effortless Conversion From PDF to Word on macOS: Discover the Best Free Tools That Preserve Original Layout