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11 July 2023  Amanda J. Brook  Senior Product Manager
 

Summary
Wonder how to edit PDF in Word quickly and easily? Read this article and learn some solutions to create or modify PDFs.



I. About PDF and Word documents

how to edit pdf in word
PDF document
PDF (Portable Document Format) was developed by Adobe Systems and has become an industry standard for document sharing and transmission. Data such as text, graphics, tables, or videos can be saved in a PDF document, which can completely and accurately present the layout and content of the original document. In addition, you can choose password protection when creating a PDF file, and set the permissions to open, edit and print the file. PDF files use a unique compression algorithm and are usually smaller than PostScript files, making them easier to transfer and store. PDF files can be opened on any device and operating system, and are highly versatile. Today, PDF files are often used in legal documents and business documents, such as tax forms, bank statements or public announcements.
advantage:
  • The popularity of the format is high. You can directly open PDF files on any device with any operating system.
  • PDF supports multiple image compression algorithms, so it won't take up too much memory space on your hard disk.
  • Users can customize security settings, such as encryption to protect files, prohibit printing or editing.
  • Support vector graphics, zoom in and out without affecting the clarity.

shortcoming:

  • Editing PDF content requires the installation of paid PDF editing software.
  • It will be troublesome to modify and edit the text of the scanned PDF.

word document
Microsoft Word It is a paid word processing software of Microsoft Corporation, and Word document is a proprietary format developed by Microsoft for its word processing software in 1983. Word documents usually have a .doc or .docx extension. Microsoft Word can be used to view, create, edit and share documents such as reports, letters and resumes. Unlike plain text editors, Microsoft Word has features such as spell checking, grammar checking, text and font formatting, HTML support, image support, advanced page layout, and more.
advantage:
  • Easy-to-use content search and citation addition features help you search for the data, materials and images you need for your paper or any document.
  • Spelling and grammar proofing features. Helps you check for grammar and spelling errors, and it will suggest corrections for you.
  • When you share a Word document, you can collaborate on the Word document together in real time, and collaborators can modify or add comments in the document.
  • Powerful text formatting features. You can adjust paragraph alignment, create bulleted and numbered lists, change line spacing, font style, font size and insert tables, among other things.
  • Supports inserting and opening PDF files, and can also edit PDF documents in Microsoft Word.

shortcoming:

  • Instability, crashes may occur during use.
  • The auto-formatting tools can be too rigid at times, and images and graphics can be difficult to move into the designated positions.

Because Microsoft Word provides a variety of editing tools, it may be more convenient to modify and edit the text or pictures of PDF files in Word. The following will introduce in detail the various methods to modify PDF documents in Word.

II. How to modify PDF files in Word

To modify PDF files in Microsoft Word, you can try the following two methods.

Method 1: Convert the PDF to a Word file and modify it

The fastest way to edit a PDF is to convert it directly to a Word document, via Renee PDF Aide Software is the fastest to operate. Renee PDF Aide is easy to use and has high conversion efficiency. It also supports conversion to a variety of file formats, including: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, ePub, Text, HTML, Image, OCR formats. This software is a PDF conversion software that integrates multiple functions. In addition to format conversion, you can also edit, optimize, repair, encrypt PDF files, etc. Although the functions are diverse, the operation interface is simple and the actual operation is very simple. As the best alternative to Adobe Acrobat DC software, it offers a free trial and is more suitable for personal use.
Supported operating systems: Windows 10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP/2000 (32-bit and 64-bit versions).
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Multifunctional Encrypt/decrypt/split/merge/add watermark

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Quick Edit/convert dozens of PDF files in batch

Compatible Convert PDF to Excel/PowerPoint/Text, etc.

Easy Use with simple steps

Functional Encrypt/decrypt/split/merge/watermark

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In Renee PDF Aide, the operation to convert PDF files to Word format is very simple, and the converted page display is consistent with the source document.
The specific operation steps are as follows:
① After installing Renee PDF Aide, open it. Select “Convert PDF”.
Convert PDF
② Click “Word” in the top menu bar, and then select the save location of the target document.
Click Word
③ Click the “Add File” button to add the PDF file to be converted. After the file is successfully added, the information of the file to be converted will be displayed in the conversion list. Click “Select Page” to set the page for file conversion.
tipsThe software provides three text recognition modes, you can choose one of them:
A: Recognize text in pictures or PDF scans : This option defaults that the text on the PDF page is on the picture/scanned image, and the program will directly use the OCR function (selecting the corresponding language will have a better effect) to recognize the text on the file and then output it.

B: Identify built-in fonts (to avoid garbled characters) : This option defaults to using embedded fonts for the text on the PDF page. The program will convert these fonts into pictures, and then use the OCR function (selecting the corresponding language will be better) to recognize the text conversion output of the file.

A+B (slower) : The program automatically recognizes whether the font in the file is a picture or a PDF embedded font, and then converts and outputs it. However, it takes time to identify and compare prices, and the conversion time will be longer.

④ Finally, click the “Convert” button to convert. When the prompt conversion is over, the software will display the total number of converted files and the number of successfully converted files. At this time, the PDF has been successfully converted into a Word document. After converting to a Word document, you can use various editing tools to edit and modify it.

Method 2: Modify the PDF file after importing it in Word

While you can’t edit PDF files directly in Word directly in PDF, we’ll use a workaround that will allow you to make edits and still be in PDF when you’re done. In the early version of Word, we can save the document as PDF format. Versions after Word 2016 can also directly open PDF documents in Word, and you can modify them after opening, and then save them in PDF format after modification. One thing to note is that if there are a lot of pictures and graphics in the PDF document, this method is not recommended, and the opened PDF file will be quite different from the display of the original document.
The specific operation steps are as follows:
① In Word, click “File” > “Open”, and then open the PDF file to be modified. If a prompt window appears, click “OK”.
open document
② In the opened PDF document, you can edit and modify it arbitrarily.
③ After modification, click “File” > “Save As”. In the “Save As” window, select “PDF (*.pdf)” as the save type.
Note:

If the file is too large it may take longer to load, and the layout in Word may not look exactly like the original PDF, especially margins, columns, tables, page breaks, footnotes, endnotes, frames, Track changes, special formatting options, and more. If you want a more perfect conversion and editing effect, it is recommended that you use the first method.

III. How to make/create PDF files

The PDF format is great for sharing and transferring your work. Creating PDFs in Windows is easy, whether you’re creating PDFs from Word documents, web pages, images, or anything else. There may be many people who don’t know how to make a PDF, so the four most commonly used methods of making/creating will be introduced below.

Method 1: Create a PDF Using Windows 10's Built-in PDF Printer

There is a built-in print driver in the Windows 10 operating system, through which you can quickly convert documents to PDF. This method is also applicable to PDF creation of files such as text documents, pictures, web pages, and Office documents. The operation steps are simple, you just need to open the file normally and select the print settings. For your better understanding, the text document will be used as an example below to introduce the specific operation steps. The steps for creating other files are similar and basically the same.
The specific operation steps are as follows:
① First, you need to open the text document, click “File” > “Print”.
② Next, in the opened default Windows print window, select “Microsoft Print to PDF” and click “Print”.
select printer
③ When printing, Windows will open a Save As window, you can rename and save the new PDF file. After selecting a location to save, click the “Save” button.

Method Two: Create PDF from Existing Word Document

If you have Microsoft Word software on your computer, you can save the Word document as a PDF directly after editing it. Making PDFs in Word is better than Windows’ built-in PDF printer, because Word does a better job of preserving document layout and formatting during PDF creation.
The specific operation steps are as follows:
① First, you need to open a Word (Microsoft Office 2019 as an example) document, click “File” in the upper left corner, and select “Save As” in the left column menu that opens.
② Select the location to save, name the file and select “PDF (*pdf)” in the save type, and finally click “Save”.
Save as PDF

Method 3: Use Adobe Acrobat DC to create PDF files

Adobe Acrobat DC is an electronic word processing software set developed by Adobe, which can be used to read, edit, manage and share PDF documents. There are several ways to create PDF files with Adobe Acrobat DC, for example, you can quickly generate PDFs by using menu commands, dragging and dropping files onto the Adobe Acrobat DC application icon, or converting clipboard data. In Adobe Acrobat DC’s “File” menu, you can convert files to PDF, which supports Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint file types. Adobe Acrobat DC is a cross-platform support for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android phones and Windows Phone, so you can view and manage PDF files on your phone and computer. Although Adobe Acrobat DC software has complete functions, its purchase price is relatively high.
1. Convert files to PDF
The specific operation steps are as follows:
① In Adobe Acrobat DC’s “File” menu, select “Create” > “Create PDF from File”.
create
② In the “Open” dialog box, select the file you want to convert. You can browse all file types, or select a specific type in the file type drop-down menu. Then click Open to convert the file to PDF.
Open
③ When the new PDF opens, click “File” > “Save”, or click “File” > “Save As”, then name the PDF file and choose a save location.
save as
Kind tips You can also use the “Create PDF” tool to easily create PDF files from websites, clipboard contents, images and other file formats.
2. Create a blank PDF
The specific operation steps are as follows:
① In Adobe Acrobat DC, close all open documents.
② Choose “Tools” > “Create PDF” > “Blank Page” > “Create”.
create

Method 4: Smallpdf Online PDF Maker

In addition to the above methods of making PDF, you can also choose an online PDF maker, which can be done without downloading software. There are many online PDF creators, such as Smallpdf. In addition to the format conversion function, Smallpdf can also edit and modify PDF documents. The maker currently only supports making Word, Excel, PowerPoint and image files to PDF. Alternatively, Smallpdf offers a free trial.
Production link: https://smallpdf.com/cn/pdf-converter
The specific operation steps are as follows:
① Click “Select File” to upload the document to be created as a PDF.
Make PDF online
② After the conversion is complete, you can continue to edit the PDF file as needed. Finally, click “Download” to download the file to your computer or save it to Dropbox or Google Drive.
edit PDFs
Comparison between the four methods:
Windows 10′s built-in PDF printerMicrosoft WordAdobe Acrobat DCSmallpdf
easy to operate√√√√
free√√x√
PDF editing functionxx√√
Encryption to protect PDFxx√√
System SupportWindowsWindows, MacWindows, MacWindows, Mac

IV. Other methods of modifying PDF (without Word)

1. Renee PDF Aide

If you don’t need to modify the text content of the PDF, but only need to split, merge or add watermark to the PDF, you can do it with Renee PDF Aide. Although you can also merge or split in Word, the big disadvantage is that the typesetting or text format in the document may become “unrecognizable”, far from the original document. Alternatively, useRenee PDF Aide It will be easier to make modifications, which can save a lot of time. Renee PDF Aide’s file editing functions are not only diverse, but also very easy to operate.
Hot Topic - ADsRenee PDF Aide - Powerful PDF Editing Tool

Easy to use Friendly to computer beginners

Multifunctional Encrypt/decrypt/split/merge/add watermark

Safe Protect PDF with AES256 algorithms

Quick Edit/convert dozens of PDF files in batch

Compatible Convert PDF to Excel/PowerPoint/Text, etc.

Easy Use with simple steps

Functional Encrypt/decrypt/split/merge/watermark

Safe Protect PDF with AES256 algorithms

Free TrialFree TrialNow 800 people have obtained the free version!
The specific steps are as follows:
① Download and install Renee PDF Aide, and open it after completion. Then, please click to enter “PDF Toolset”.
Convert PDF
② In the function menu bar at the top, you can select any function to perform personalized editing operations on PDF files. Such as repair, optimization, split, merge, rotate, encrypt/decrypt, watermark, image to PDF. In addition, you can also edit multiple PDF files at the same time, batch operations, convenient and fast.
PDF toolset
Description of PDF toolset editing function modules:

Repair: Repair damaged or unopenable PDF files.

Optimization: Optimize PDF files that take a long time to load, and compress large PDF files.

Split: Split a multi-page PDF file into multiple files or one as needed.

Merge: Merge and output multiple PDFs into one PDF, and you can also specify the pages to be merged.

Rotation: Adjust the display angle of the PDF file.

Encryption & Decryption: You can encrypt PDF files or decrypt password-protected PDF files.

Watermark: Add foreground watermark/background watermark to PDF files, watermark can choose picture or PDF document.

Image to PDF: You can choose to merge and convert images into one file, or generate a PDF file from one image.

③ After the editing operation is completed, click the “Convert” button at the bottom right to quickly export the edited PDF file to the preset location.

2. Adobe Acrobat DC software

Adobe Acrobat DC It is an electronic word processing software developed by Adobe that can be used to create, edit, export, organize, share or sign PDFs. In addition, the software has an OCR function that enables users to extract and edit data from scanned paper documents. Depending on the version you use, you can edit PDF documents on any device, even an iPad. The best PDF editor out there is Adobe Acrobat DC, but it’s not free and costs a lot more than other software.
After downloading and installing Adobe Acrobat DC, import the PDF file to be edited into the software by clicking “File” > “Open” (shortcut key: Ctrl+O) on the top menu bar. Then complete editing operations through various editing tools in the menu bar, such as merging, organizing pages, filling and signing, preparing forms, protecting, annotating, and so on. After the operation is completed, select “File” > “Save As” to save the edited PDF file to the preset location.
PDF editing software