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A
Anonymous
June 17, 2012
Answered

Converting a PDF into an Indesign doc.

  • June 17, 2012
  • 6 replies
  • 181091 views

Hello everybody,

Is it possible to convert a PDF into an Indesign File?  I am using Indesign CS5.5

Thanks in advance for the help!

QntaDesign

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Dave Creamer of IDEAS

In Acrobat Pro, go to File>Properties menu and check the Description tab. If the document is "tagged" you will get better results with any conversion method. You can usually see what program/utility made the PDF too. Some create cleaner PDFs than others.

As mentioned, you can get conversion plugins from Markzware and Recosoft. I prefer the Marksware solution but both are similar.

You can export the PDF to Word and export the images; in some cases, you can grab tables and transfer to Excel. Then rebuild in in ID. The downside is the time lost in text clean up, graphic organization, and document rebuilding.

You can open each page in Adobe Illustrator (or similar program). The downside is the act of opening can change the document, create problems with fonts, and alter the ability to (easily) edit the text.

You can place the PDF page-by-page in ID and place text boxes filled with the background color to show new text.

A couple of notes:

If the PDF has protection against editing, you will need to remove it. I've used pdf-office.com utilities with good success.

If this is a reoccurring problem, my #1 rule in my Acrobat class is to "keep your original documents".

6 replies

Dave Creamer of IDEAS
Community Expert
Dave Creamer of IDEASCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
June 3, 2018

In Acrobat Pro, go to File>Properties menu and check the Description tab. If the document is "tagged" you will get better results with any conversion method. You can usually see what program/utility made the PDF too. Some create cleaner PDFs than others.

As mentioned, you can get conversion plugins from Markzware and Recosoft. I prefer the Marksware solution but both are similar.

You can export the PDF to Word and export the images; in some cases, you can grab tables and transfer to Excel. Then rebuild in in ID. The downside is the time lost in text clean up, graphic organization, and document rebuilding.

You can open each page in Adobe Illustrator (or similar program). The downside is the act of opening can change the document, create problems with fonts, and alter the ability to (easily) edit the text.

You can place the PDF page-by-page in ID and place text boxes filled with the background color to show new text.

A couple of notes:

If the PDF has protection against editing, you will need to remove it. I've used pdf-office.com utilities with good success.

If this is a reoccurring problem, my #1 rule in my Acrobat class is to "keep your original documents".

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
I
Iman.Ahmed.educhamber
Participating Frequently
June 2, 2018

But to be very honest with you, I am facing the same problem a lot and I prefer what mentioned before, to open the pdf in Adobe illustrator, then manually take it to Indesign.

Using plugins or other automatic ways may cause problems later.

It takes time I know, but easy way of conversion is also time consuming, it will be easy to convert but during the project you'll struggle with many strange and unknown errors.

I wish you a good luck

BobLevine
Community Expert
BobLevineCommunity Expert
Community Expert
June 2, 2018

Sorry, but I can’t let that go.

Unless all you need is the content to repurpose, this is no way to work.

    C
    CWInc
    Participant
    November 29, 2017

    HEY ADOBE!  What about just making this conversion part of InDesign???  Indesign creates PDF so how about making the reverse possible?  Please??

    Steve Werner
    Community Expert
    Steve WernerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    November 29, 2017

    "Hey Adobe" doesn't live here. Product managers (who make the decisions) look here instead:

    Adobe InDesign Feedback

    G
    GraphixGeeker
    Participant
    October 5, 2012

    The best solution to this is usingPDF2DTP for InDesign from Markzware. In my own experience, it has been fast and accurate on every conversion made.

      RodneyA
      RodneyA
      Participating Frequently
      June 18, 2012

      And, of course, if you don't need to EDIT the things in the PDF file, you can just place it on the page, and it will be identical in Indesign to the way it is in Acrobat. You can add material to it, and add more pages, but you can't change it.

      Steve Werner
      Community Expert
      Steve WernerCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      June 17, 2012

      The best option is PDF2ID:

      PDF2ID - Recosoft

        A
        Anonymous
        June 17, 2012

        That will let me open and save the document in Indesign?  How would I go about doing that?

        Thanks,

        QntaDesign

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