You just discovered a typographical error in the document you want to submit for an application. Now, you are struggling to edit the error before the deadline.
And to make matters worse, you don’t know how to use a PDF editor.
What do you do?
If you are looking for help editing a PDF, this article will take you through the steps of editing and converting PDFs in any situation.
But first, let’s explore the scenarios where a PDF editor might come in handy.
Why do you need to edit your PDF files?
With the world going paperless nowadays, you need a PDF editor on standby for the following reasons:
- Correct errors
As mentioned earlier, If you do documentation digitally, you will eventually need to change something in a PDF format.
Editing tools allow you to convert scanned PDF files to Word to make the changes. You can also rearrange pages when you convert PDF to Word.
- Add extra pages
Instead of recreating an entire PDF from scratch to add a couple of pages, you could use an editor. You can also merge and split your PDF files with the same tool to convert pages to Word.
- Enable interaction
You can use an online PDF converter to convert PDF to interactive forms using pdfforge. These forms will allow customers to tick boxes and fill in the information.
Besides, any modern online DOC to PDF converter can create forms accessible via a back-end database, making user data easily retrievable.
How to convert a PDF to a fillable form
Many tools can help you convert PDF to editable Word more smoothly; these tools can also convert excel to PDF, export PDFs as Word documents, and create fillable forms.
When downloading a PDF converter, look through its features to see if it allows you to convert to Word.
Tools like LuminPDF allow you to convert your PDF files to fillable forms, and here is how it works:
- Click the “File” button on the navigation bar.
- Click “Open” to access the local folder.
- Choose the file to import.
- After importing the file, click “Convert” to start the conversion process.
- Choose the preferred file format (Word, TXT, etc.)
- Click the “Publish” button.
- The file changes to a different format.
- Download the new file and view changes.
Note: If you can’t find a converter, you could import the PDF file to any Word editor and convert it to a fillable form.
8 tools to convert a PDF
If you are looking for a PDF converter online, free or paid, here are some top picks:
PDF Element
PDF Element by Wondershare is an excellent converter that works on Windows PCs. This editor can convert files from HTML, PowerPoint, Excel, and Microsoft Word to PDF.
PDF Element lets you export your PDF as a merged file or an image for free. It also retains your document’s original formatting, and its OCR handles scanned PDFs perfectly.
LuminPDF
LuminPDF is another feature-rich tool to convert Word to PDF online. With this tool, you can convert images, spreadsheets, and text documents to PDF.
LuminPDF also offers collaboration and file-sharing options. You can also use the e-sign feature to annotate the PDF electronically.
And unlike tools from more prominent brands like Adobe, LuminPDF lets you convert Word to PDF free of charge.
iLovePDF
iLovePDF gives you a batch conversion option when you need to convert several files at once. The tool allows two-way conversion, meaning you can transform files to PDF and back to their original formats.
And if you are worried about losing file quality after conversion, iLovePDF has got you covered. This software retains the sharpness of your PDF files after multiple modifications.
SmallPDF
SmallPDF is another free PDF tool for you to convert Word to PDF. This software has multiple features to serve anybody looking to convert file to PDF.
With SmallPDF, you can convert Word, PowerPoint, TIFF, GIF, PNG, BMP, and other file extensions to PDF and vice versa.
You can also merge, split or compress PDF files for sites with an upload size limit. The tool is fast, simple, and works well with scanned PDFs too.
Nuance Power PDF Converter
If you want a well-rounded solution to your PDF conversion needs, Nuance Power PDF Converter should be on your radar.
Like other tools on this list, Nuance converter lets you convert Word file to PDF. But it also has the rare encryption feature that prevents unauthorized document views — a handy feature for bank statements, contracts, health bills, agreements, and other sensitive documents.
UniPDF
UniPDF is a lightweight tool that suits people using older laptops or low-power devices. Since UniPDF works offline, the export time is longer than usual.
You can also rest assured that any sensitive information in your document is safe from third-party access online.
Though the tool limits your ability to convert pages to PDF instantly, it works well for general purposes.
WPS Converter
WPS PDF to Word Converter is one of the most versatile apps on this list. You don’t have to use a laptop for PDF conversion with this tool. You can also use the Android app on the go.
The desktop and mobile versions of the converter can merge and split PDF files in such a way as to maintain the original formatting and allow users to reorder pages easily.
Soda PDF
The final entry on this list, Soda PDF, isn’t as sophisticated as others above, but it has the essential tools to meet your conversion needs. You can create new PDFs and convert existing ones to HTML, RTF, Word, and other formats. Soda PDF’s unique feature is its ability to convert entire websites to PDF.
Conclusion
Editing PDF files is pretty easy if you know the tools to use. And even if you don’t need a PDF editor yet, knowing how it works and what you can use it for will come in handy at some point.
PDF editors online offer different features, and whichever tool you choose will depend on your needs and preferences. But rest assured that any of the PDF tools in this guide will easily solve your document conversion needs.