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How to convert PDF to word on Mac?
#18110 10/09/11 08:29 AM
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doll Offline OP
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Hi,guys.Is there any one tell me how to convert PDF to word on Mac?
I am a teacher from New York.Recently I have a download some PDF file need to transfer to word as material for my working.As I use Mac OS has been doubly difficult for me,beacuse I am not familiar with mac system.
So any idea helpfully would be appreciated.

Last edited by cyn; 08/30/12 09:58 AM. Reason: Spammer thread closed.
Re: How to convert PDF to word on Mac?
doll #18114 10/09/11 09:43 AM
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You'll find several relevant links at this Google search page.


Jon

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Re: How to convert PDF to word on Mac?
doll #18121 10/09/11 04:03 PM
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While I have not checked every link Artie provided in his comment above, I believe you will find that most, if not all, are not free. That is, you would need to purchase software to make the conversion.


On a Mac since 1984.
Currently: 24" M1 iMac, M2 Pro Mac mini with 27" BenQ monitor, M2 Macbook Air, MacOS 14.x; iPhones, iPods (yes, still) and iPads.
Re: How to convert PDF to word on Mac?
Ira L #18124 10/09/11 04:37 PM
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Here is a work-a-round (maybe?):

I do not use WORD, but if WORD can open a "txt" document, a FREE program called CALIBRE will convert PDF files to TXT.

http://calibre-ebook.com/download_osx


Re: How to convert PDF to word on Mac?
MG2009 #18130 10/09/11 06:49 PM
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if you have gmail account and google docs, you can upload the pdf and google docs will convert it to a text file which you could then download and open in Word.


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Re: How to convert PDF to word on Mac?
roger #18131 10/09/11 07:34 PM
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Very good suggestion. A good old copy and paste also works, except that the format will be gone.


Alex
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Re: How to convert PDF to word on Mac?
macnerd10 #18132 10/09/11 08:16 PM
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True.

However, some PDFs are "locked" so that one cannot copy the text - although a SCREENSHOT could be taken of each page.

(Similarly, CALIBRE may not be able to convert some PDFs . . . but I have yet to encounter a PDF I could not convert to TXT in CALIBRE.)

Re: How to convert PDF to word on Mac?
roger #18133 10/09/11 08:21 PM
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A great tip, Roger.

I just gave it go and voilà. A small pagination error and an embedded graphic was not incorporated (which I could manually insert in the final Word document), but text wise, just perfect.

Thanks!





Harv
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Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. ~Voltaire
Re: How to convert PDF to word on Mac?
MG2009 #18135 10/09/11 08:34 PM
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A possible workaround to a locked PDF is to invoke the Print dialog box (File>Print) but save it as a PDF instead of printing. The new PDF may be unlocked. I don't have a locked PDF to try this with, but it might work.


Jon

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Re: How to convert PDF to word on Mac?
Ira L #18136 10/09/11 08:34 PM
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Originally Posted By: Ira L
While I have not checked every link Artie provided in his comment above, I believe you will find that most, if not all, are not free. That is, you would need to purchase software to make the conversion.
I'm flattered that you mistook me for Artie but he may not be so pleased. shocked


Jon

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Re: How to convert PDF to word on Mac?
jchuzi #18142 10/09/11 10:33 PM
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Originally Posted By: jchuzi
Originally Posted By: Ira L
While I have not checked every link Artie provided in his comment above, I believe you will find that most, if not all, are not free. That is, you would need to purchase software to make the conversion.
I'm flattered that you mistook me for Artie but he may not be so pleased. shocked

I'm flattered both that you're flattered and that Ira gave you the opportunity to flatter me. confused


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In Memory of Harv: Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. ~Voltaire
Re: How to convert PDF to word on Mac?
jchuzi #18162 10/10/11 04:26 PM
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Mea culpa. crazy



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Re: How to convert PDF to word on Mac?
MG2009 #18166 10/10/11 05:14 PM
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The remedy to protected (not locked) PDF files is fairly cheap. It is called PDFprotect from Sybrex. Never failed me.


Alex
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Re: How to convert PDF to word on Mac?
Pendragon #18174 10/10/11 08:38 PM
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Originally Posted By: Pendragon
A great tip, Roger.

I just gave it go and voilà. A small pagination error and an embedded graphic was not incorporated (which I could manually insert in the final Word document), but text wise, just perfect.

Thanks!



awesome!! glad it worked! I am a big fan of Google docs and am only learning all that can be done. laugh


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Re: How to convert PDF to word on Mac?
doll #18200 10/11/11 11:05 PM
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Coincidence? I don't know, but here is yet another take on the topic: How to convert PDFs to Word (and other formats)


alternaut moderator
Re: How to convert PDF to word on Mac?
alternaut #18234 10/12/11 11:45 PM
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Originally Posted By: alternaut
Coincidence? I don't know, but here is yet another take on the topic: How to convert PDFs to Word (and other formats)

cool    I like that one; thanks. (Maybe my first venture into Automator?)   


The new Great Equalizer is the SEND button.

In Memory of Harv: Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. ~Voltaire
Re: How to convert PDF to word on Mac?
jchuzi #18264 10/13/11 06:39 PM
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Tried JCHUZI's work-a-round with a LOCKED pdf.

1. opened a "locked" PDF with ADOBE READER;

2. selected EDIT / SAVE AS . . .

3. chose txt, pdf, or word online to convert the file.

Note: When converted to TXT, the new file was unlocked and its content could be edited.

However, when converted (copied) as a PDF, the PDF stayed locked like the original and could not be edited.

P.S. I did not try the WORD conversion as that online service requires a paid subscription fee.



** using MBPro with LION and ADOBE READER

Re: How to convert PDF to word on Mac?
MG2009 #18269 10/13/11 07:26 PM
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Originally Posted By: MG2009
2. selected EDIT / SAVE AS . .
You misunderstood. I meant that you should attempt to print the PDF but don't actually print it. Instead, click the PDF button in the print dialog box and select Save As PDF. I don't know if this will work differently from what you did but it's worth trying. You have nothing to lose.


Jon

macOS 11.7.10, iMac Retina 5K 27-inch, late 2014, 3.5 GHz Intel Core i5, 1 TB fusion drive, 16 GB RAM, Epson SureColor P600, Photoshop CC, Lightroom CC, MS Office 365
Re: How to convert PDF to word on Mac?
jchuzi #18278 10/13/11 08:13 PM
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Sorry . . . I understood you correctly, but Adobe Reader 10.1.1 does NOT give me the option you mentioned when hitting the PRINT button. (Consequently, this is what prompted me to check out the drop down menu under EDIT.)

Re: How to convert PDF to word on Mac?
MG2009 #18281 10/13/11 08:24 PM
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Jon is right. When in the Reader print dialog box, click on "printer" and the option "pdf" will be there. Click on it and select save as pdf.


Alex
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2.8 GHz Xeon Mac Pro 2010, 16 GB RAM, OS 10.11.2, Office 2011, LAN
Re: How to convert PDF to word on Mac?
macnerd10 #18282 10/13/11 09:08 PM
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Using 10.1.1 with exactly the procedures you (both) mentioned, I get the following pop-up message from ADOBE:

Saving a PDF file when printing is not supported. Instead, choose File > Save.

Thus . . . I went to Plan B, as described in my 1:39 posting.

grin

Re: How to convert PDF to word on Mac?
MG2009 #18289 10/13/11 09:36 PM
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The inability to save a PDF as PDF via the print dialog doesn't just apply to Reader 10.x, but to preceding versions as well.


alternaut moderator
Re: How to convert PDF to word on Mac?
alternaut #18290 10/13/11 09:45 PM
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Thank you for the clarification. smile

Re: How to convert PDF to word on Mac?
MG2009 #18291 10/13/11 09:52 PM
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Open the PDF in Preview instead of Adobe Reader. That option is available in Preview's Print dialog box.


Jon

macOS 11.7.10, iMac Retina 5K 27-inch, late 2014, 3.5 GHz Intel Core i5, 1 TB fusion drive, 16 GB RAM, Epson SureColor P600, Photoshop CC, Lightroom CC, MS Office 365
Re: How to convert PDF to word on Mac?
jchuzi #18292 10/13/11 09:58 PM
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Yes, PREVIEW is not the same as ADOBE (hehehe).

I went through the steps and the "new" PDF copy is also 'locked' like the original (i.e. not able to edit the "new" document with either PREVIEW or ADOBE. Not sure if WORD - as raised in the poster's original question - will open the "new" PDF . . . and allow editing).

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