E11 Apps

How to convert PDF to Word on Android

By E11 Apps, the developer of PDF Burrow. Updated . 4 min read.

To convert a PDF to Word on Android, open the PDF in a converter app, choose Word (.docx) as the output and save the new file. Then open the .docx and check that headings, paragraphs and images are in the right place. Text-based PDFs convert well. Scanned PDFs need OCR first.

Why convert a PDF to Word at all?

A PDF is designed to look fixed and final. A Word file is designed to be edited. You convert when you need to:

  • rewrite or update a document you no longer have the original of;
  • reuse text from a report in a new document;
  • fix a CV, cover letter or price list that only exists as a PDF;
  • add tracked changes or comments for someone else to review;
  • change fonts, spacing or layout in ways a PDF editor makes awkward.

If you only need to fix one typo, editing the PDF directly is quicker. Our guide to editing a PDF on Android covers that.

How to convert PDF to Word on Android

  1. Open your converter and choose the PDF to Word tool.
  2. Select the PDF from your phone.
  3. Start the conversion. Long documents take a little longer.
  4. Save the .docx file with a clear name.
  5. Open it in a Word editor and scroll through every page.

Keep the PDF. If the conversion is not quite right, you can try again or fix the Word file by hand while comparing it to the original.

What converts well, and what does not

A PDF does not store a document the way Word does. It stores text as lines placed at exact positions on a page. The converter has to work out which lines belong to which paragraph, which text is a heading and how images relate to the text. Some layouts make that easy and some make it hard.

Usually converts well:

  • simple letters, reports and CVs with one column of text;
  • headings, bold and italic styles;
  • colours and embedded images;
  • basic lists.

Often needs tidying:

  • multi-column layouts such as newsletters and magazines;
  • complex tables with merged cells;
  • text wrapped tightly around images;
  • footnotes, headers and footers;
  • forms with fields and boxes.

None of these is a failure. They just mean you should spend a few minutes checking the result.

What about scanned PDFs?

If your PDF is a scan, every page is a picture. A converter can only put those pictures into a Word file, and you still will not be able to edit the text. Run OCR first to turn the images into real text, then convert. The guide to making a scanned PDF searchable explains how. Expect a little more tidying after converting an OCR'd document, especially for tables and small print.

How to check and fix the Word file

  1. Reading order. Read the first paragraph of each page. Text should follow on naturally.
  2. Headings. Make sure titles are still headings, not just large bold text.
  3. Images. Check they are on the right page and not covering text.
  4. Tables. Look for rows that have split or columns that have merged.
  5. Page breaks. Remove extra blank pages or awkward breaks.
  6. Fonts. If a font was replaced, select all and set one consistent font.

After editing, you can save the Word file as a PDF again to share a clean final version.

Opening and editing the .docx on your phone

You do not need a computer to work with the result. A phone Word editor can open the .docx, let you change text and basic formatting, and save it again. If you also work with spreadsheets, the guide to opening Word, Excel and CSV files on Android covers the options.

Keep private documents on the phone

Many converters upload your file to a server, convert it there and send it back. For contracts, payslips and personal letters, that is a risk you do not need to take. An on-device converter keeps the document on your phone from start to finish.

Converting PDF to Word with PDF Burrow

PDF Burrow has a PDF to Word tool that converts to an editable .docx and keeps reading order, styles, colours and images. The conversion runs on your phone, so the file is not uploaded. You can open the result in the app's Word Editor to change the text and basic formatting, and use Make Searchable (OCR) first if your PDF is a scan.

Frequently asked questions

Will my PDF look exactly the same in Word?

Simple documents usually look very close. Complex layouts, such as several columns or detailed tables, may shift and need a few minutes of tidying.

Can I convert a password-protected PDF to Word?

You need to open it with the password first. If you own the file, you can remove the password, convert it and then protect the result again if needed.

Why are there text boxes everywhere in my converted file?

Some converters place text in boxes to match the original layout exactly. It looks right but is harder to edit. A converter that rebuilds normal paragraphs gives a file that is easier to work with.

Is it better to convert to Word or to plain text?

Convert to Word if you want to keep formatting and images. Choose plain text if you only need the words, for example to paste into an email or a form.

More PDF Burrow guides