Converting a PDF to Word on a Mac is a straightforward process that doesn’t require any extra software – you can use the tools already available on your Mac. Just open the PDF in the Preview app, export it to Word format, and voilà! You have a document that’s ready to be edited and customized in Microsoft Word.
Before you start converting your PDF files to Word documents, it’s essential to understand what the process involves. By following the steps below, you’ll convert the non-editable PDF into a Word document, which allows you to make changes, add text, and reformat the content.
Open the PDF file you wish to convert using the Preview app on your Mac.
Preview is the default app for viewing images and PDFs on a Mac, so you can simply double-click the PDF file, and it should automatically open in Preview. If it doesn’t, right-click the file, select "Open with," and choose Preview from the list of applications.
Once your PDF is open in Preview, click on ‘File’ in the menu bar, and select ‘Export to’ followed by ‘Word.’
This prompts Preview to convert your PDF into a Word document. Keep in mind that the formatting might not be perfect, especially with more complex PDFs. The software does its best to keep the original layout, but you might need to do some manual adjusting in Word afterward.
Select where you want to save the new Word document on your Mac and click ‘Save.’
You can choose any location on your Mac to save the Word document – your desktop, a specific folder, or even a cloud service like iCloud Drive. Remember the destination, as you’ll need to navigate to it to find your new Word document.
Navigate to the location where you saved the Word file and open it to ensure that it converted properly.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully converted a PDF to a Word document on your Mac. Now you can edit it to your heart’s content.
After you’ve completed the conversion, you’ll have a brand-new Word document that’s ready for editing. The text, images, and layout will be as close to the original PDF as possible, but you may need to tweak some elements for perfection.
Make sure you’re using the latest version of macOS, as older versions might not have this feature.
Yes, there are online tools and third-party apps available for PDF conversion if you prefer not to use Preview.
The conversion process will keep most of the original formatting, but complex elements might not transfer perfectly.
You might need to manually adjust the Word document or try using a different method for conversion.
Preview doesn’t support batch conversion, but some online tools and third-party apps do.
Converting PDF to Word on a Mac is a breeze with the built-in Preview app. Although it might seem daunting at first, following the step-by-step tutorial outlined above will make it a piece of cake. With this skill under your belt, you can easily edit and customize any PDF document without the need for additional software or tools. Remember to check the formatting after conversion and make the necessary adjustments. Whether you’re a student, professional, or just someone who needs to edit a PDF, the ability to convert pdf to word on mac is incredibly useful and will save you time and hassle. Keep practicing, and in no time, you’ll be converting PDFs like a pro!
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.