The PDF format has been the most used for several years when sharing files over the Internet, both due to its versatility and the large number of additional functions it offers, such as adding a password, signing the document with official certificates, among many others. However, editing this format is not a simple task and, almost always, it is necessary to pay a license to do so.
When we talk about editing a document in PDF format, we are talking about changing the text, not about adding or deleting sheets, making annotations and so on. If we want to edit the text of files in PDF format, the best known and most used solution is Adobe Acrobat, the company that created this format. We can also use other applications such as PDFelements or cheaper alternatives that do not require a subscription, such as Nitro PDF or PDF Architect, although the licenses are not exactly cheap.
These applications are ideal if we need to edit these types of files daily, however, they are not the only options available on the market, since we can also use Microsoft Word. Yes, we are talking about the same Word with which we can create all types of documents and which is included in the Microsoft 365 and Office 2021 subscription. This function is hidden within the application, so hidden that it is not even mentioned in any of the application menus.
Edit PDF files with Word
Although this feature is not available through the application menus, it is very easy to use. If you want to use Word to edit PDF files, you must follow the steps shown below.
First of all, we must open the application, it is not necessary to create a blank document. Next, we access the File menu and click on Open and then Browse. Now we must search for the PDF file that we want to edit. When we find it, click on it twice. At that moment, Word will show a message informing us to convert the PDF into an editable Word document as we can see in the following image.
For Word to perform the conversion, click OK and wait a few seconds. Depending on the size of the file, this process may take more or less time. Once the conversion process has finished, the document will be displayed in protected view without the possibility of editing it. To edit it, we must click on the Enable Editing button located right at the top of the document as we can see below.
From this point on, Word will display the images in the PDF document as separate images while the text will be available for editing and modifying just as we can do with any application for editing PDF files that we have mentioned above.
Once we have made the changes we need, deleting or adding new images or text, we can save the document as a normal Word file or export it in PDF format. To save it in PDF format, go to the File tab. In the left column, click on Save as; on the right side, under Word Document .docx, click on the drop-down box to select the PDF option (*.pdf).
