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How to Count Words with Adobe Acrobat? (Beginners’ Guide)

Are you a content creator facing strict word count limits for creative submissions?

Counting words in a document is something we all deal with, be it writing, editing, or translating tasks. It can help you stay on target and calculate fees accurately.

The process is straightforward, using tools like Word and Google Docs. But what if your source document is in PDF format and use the popular PDF editor, Acrobat? How can you count words in Adobe Acrobat?

This article will guide you through the process with easy steps. We will also introduce you to a better alternative—UPDF and its AI assistant. Click the button below to download and test it for free!

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Now, let’s get started.

Part 1. Does Adobe Acrobat Have a Word Count?

Adobe Acrobat does not have an integrated word count tool. This can be frustrating for those who need quick access to this information while working with the PDF document.

However, a practical workaround is to convert the PDF into a Word document. Acrobat’s “Export PDF” tool makes this easy. It allows you to store the file in .doc or .docx format.

Afterward, you can open the document in Microsoft Word. Then, you can calculate the words for the entire document or a portion of the text. While not the best option, it is the only way to count words for PDFs using Acrobat.

Part 2. How to Count Words in Adobe Acrobat?

Now that you know how the word count in Acrobat works, let’s guide you through it with easy steps. Ensure you have Acrobat Standard or Pro installed, as the free Acrobat Reader does not support the PDF to Word conversion.

Keeping that in mind, let’s see how to check word count in Adobe Acrobat.

Step 1. Open Adobe Acrobat. Click on the PDF you want to import from the “Recent” section. Alternatively, click “Open File” to upload the PDF from your device.

Step 2. Once your PDF uploads, click “Export a PDF” from the All Tools panel on the left. Otherwise, choose “Convert” from the top toolbar.

choose to convert or export a pdf in acrobat

Step 3. Select the “Microsoft Word” option. Then, choose between “DOCX” and “DOC” format from the dropdown.

Step 4. Click the “Convert” button. This will start your PDF-to-Word conversion.

click the convert button in acrobat

Step 5. Once converted, open the converted PDF in Microsoft Word. Then:

  • Go to the lower left and click the “[number] words” to assess the detailed count.
click the word count in microsoft word
  • Alternatively, select “Review > Word Count” from the ribbon at the top.
click word count under review in ms word

So, that’s how to check word count in Adobe Acrobat. While the process is fairly simple, it is not a convenient way to count words directly within the PDF. Moreover, this feature requires you to buy Acrobat Standard or Pro, which is incredibly expensive.

In contrast, UPDF offers a free and cheaper way to finish the task. Let’s learn all about it below!

Part 3. How to Count Words with UPDF?

UPDF is an AI-powered PDF editor and manager that gives you two simple methods for counting words in a PDF. First, you can copy the text from the PDF and ask the built-in AI assistant to count the words directly within the PDF editor.

Alternatively, you can turn the PDF into a Word document and use Microsoft Word's word count feature. And you are allowed to convert 2 files to Word per day. For small tasks, it is free to use.

And even if you have many files, you will not break your bank.  You can check its price here and upgrade to pro after testing if you like it. Click the download button below to experience these features for free!

Way 1. Use AI to Count

UPDF has an integrated AI chatbot that allows you to count the words directly without switching to another platform. All you need to do is copy the PDF text and send it to UPDF AI with a prompt for counting. The AI will provide an accurate count in just seconds.

So, download UPDF by clicking the button below. Then, use the following steps to count your PDF words instantly.

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Step 1. Launch UPDF. Then, click “Open File” to upload the PDF to count words.

Step 2. Once your document is opened, select your desired words. Then press “CTRL+C” to copy them.

Step 3. Click “UPDF AI” from the lower right. Then, switch to the “Chat” mode from the top.

select the chat mode of updf ai

Step 4. Click the text box and write the prompt “count the total words included in this text.”

Step 5. Press “CTRL+V” to paste your text. Then, click the “Send” button. UPDF AI will quickly provide an accurate count of the words.

updf ai’s attempt at word count

Way 2. Convert PDF to Word

Just like how you count words in Adobe Acrobat, UPDF also allows you to convert your PDF into a Word file. This method is suitable for large PDFs, such as books that contain thousands of words and text with complex formatting.

Here’s how UPDF allows converting a PDF to Word.

Step 1. Open your PDF file in UPDF. Then, click the icon labeled “Export PDF” in the right menu.

Step 2. A list of several options will appear. Select “Word (.docx)” from here.

  • You can also click “File.” Then, choose “Export to > Word (.docx)” to create a Word file from your PDF.
export to word in updf

That’s it! Now open your converted document in MS Word to get your word count.

Why Choose UPDF?

You might wonder why you should try UPDF instead of Adobe Acrobat when both offer similar ways of counting words.

UPDF's powerful AI assistant offers a faster and more efficient solution. Plus, you can enjoy the AI feature for free with the first 100 prompts. This gives you plenty of room to test its capabilities before purchasing.

Unlike Acrobat, UPDF also lets you perform two free conversions per day, making it a practical choice for everyday use. When you're ready to upgrade, you’ll find that UPDF’s pricing is far more affordable.

So, don’t wait! Use UPDF now for a smarter and more cost-effective way to count words in your PDFs now.

UPDF also has many other features. Watch the following video or read this review to learn about how it can help you manage PDFs more productively.

Final Words

That wraps up our guide on how to count words in Adobe Acrobat. While it lacks a built-in word count feature, you can use its export options to convert your file to a Word document for a practical workaround. However, the features come at an exhaustive price that is not accessible to everyone.

That’s where UPDF can help you! Priced nearly half of Acrobat, it lets you convert PDF to Word and use AI to count words directly while working with the PDF. So, why wait? Click the button below to download and try it now!

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