How to Convert PDF to Word on Mac

Start by checking whether you can select the text in your PDF. A text-based PDF can be converted directly, while an image-only scan needs text recognition. After conversion, compare the Word document with the PDF before editing or sharing it—especially if the original contains tables, columns, or small print.

This guide covers desktop and online conversion, batch processing, and a Preview text-copying workaround. It also explains the difference between DOCX and DOC and how to check that the output is ready to share.

Part 1. Convert PDF to Word with UPDF on Mac

Use UPDF for Mac to export a PDF as an editable Word document. The output format is Word (.docx). Conversion can change the layout, so treat the exported file as a document to review, not a guaranteed exact copy.

Step 1. Open the PDF and choose Word

Open the PDF in UPDF, click Tools at the top left, and choose Word from the conversion formats.

Step 2. Set the page range and Word content style

Choose the pages to convert and a Word Content Style. Retain Word Flowing Style allows text to reflow during editing. Retain Word Textbox Style uses text boxes to help preserve positioning. Choose according to whether easier rewriting or page positioning matters more, then check the result.

If the PDF is a scan

Enable the OCR option in the same conversion window and select the document language. There is no need to make a separate OCR PDF first for this workflow. Check recognized names, dates, and numbers carefully.

Step 3. Convert and review

Click Convert, save the .docx file, and open it in Word or another compatible editor. Compare the output with the original PDF before editing or sending it.

Try a representative document in UPDF to check whether the converted text and layout meet your editing needs.

The existing video below demonstrates PDF conversion in UPDF.

Part 2. Batch Convert PDFs to Word on Mac

Step 1. From the UPDF home screen, click Tools, then choose Convert under Batch PDFs.

Step 2. Click Add Files and select the PDFs. Set Word (.docx) as the output format and choose the Word content style. Enable text recognition and select the language when converting scanned pages.

Step 3. Click Apply and choose an output folder. Review the converted documents before distributing them.

For recurring multi-file work, try UPDF’s batch conversion on a small set before processing the rest of your documents.

Part 3. Copy Text with Preview When You Do Not Need the Original Layout

Preview does not directly export PDFs to .docx. For a short passage, you can copy selectable text and rebuild the document in Word or Pages. This is a text-copying workaround, not full-document layout conversion.

Step 1. In Finder, Control-click the PDF and choose Open With > Preview.

Step 2. Select the text, press Command-C, then paste it into a new Word or Pages document with Command-V.

Step 3. Rebuild the formatting and save the Word document as .docx. In Pages, choose File > Export To > Word.

Part 4. Convert PDF to Word on Mac Using Google Docs

Google Docs is useful when recovering text matters more than preserving the page design. This method uploads the document to Google Drive; use it only when that is appropriate for the file.

Step 1. Open Google Drive in your browser. Choose New > File upload and select the PDF.

Step 2. Right-click the uploaded PDF and choose Open with > Google Docs. Review the recognized text.

Step 3. Choose File > Download > Microsoft Word (.docx).

For this conversion workflow, Google recommends files of 2 MB or less and notes that tables, columns, footnotes, and endnotes may not be detected correctly. This is conversion guidance, not Google Drive’s general file-upload limit.

Part 5. Convert PDF to Word on Mac with UPDF Online

Use UPDF Online PDF to Word in your Mac browser when you do not want to install an app. This workflow uploads the PDF to a server, so check that online processing is appropriate for your document.

Step 1. Upload the PDF. Open the online converter, click Upload File, or drag your PDF onto the page.

Step 2. Convert to Word. After uploading, select Convert to Word (or PDF to Word in the conversion menu). The service supports OCR for scanned PDFs.

Step 3. Download and check. Click Download when conversion finishes. Open the Word file and compare the text, tables, and page layout with the PDF.

Online limits: The tool page lists 10 MB and 100 pages per PDF for free use, and 100 MB and 300 pages per PDF for paid use. Password-protected PDFs are not supported; obtain an authorized, unprotected copy first.

Part 6. Do You Need DOCX or the Older DOC Format?

DOCX is the default Word document format. “Convert PDF to Word” and “convert PDF to DOCX” usually describe the same goal. Choose .docx unless the recipient or submission system specifically requires a different format.

If an older system requires .doc, open the converted DOCX in Word for Mac and choose File > Save As. Select Word 97–2004 Document (.doc) from the format options, save a separate copy, and review it again. Renaming a .docx extension to .doc does not convert the file.

Part 7. Check the Word Output Before Sharing

If a password or permission restriction blocks conversion

If the PDF requires a password to open, enter the password supplied by the owner. If copying or conversion is restricted, obtain permission and an unrestricted copy before proceeding. Opening a document does not automatically mean you have permission to reuse its contents. See the guide to converting an authorized protected PDF to Word.

Part 8. FAQs About Converting PDF to Word on Mac

Conclusion

Use UPDF for desktop conversion and batch jobs, or UPDF Online and Google Docs when uploading the document is appropriate. Use Preview when copying a short passage is enough. Export to DOCX for most Word workflows, and review the text and layout before sharing.

To work with Word and other output formats in one app, explore UPDF PDF conversion and test your document with the free allowance.