Why didn't my PDF convert properly to word?

Report · Jul 26, 2014

I scanned a form that I will need to work with regularly as I schedule new classes. The scanned document is fine, but when I converted it to Word for editing, the spacing is messed up, there are different fonts, and parts of the document are bolded. I've tried to edit the document in word and have been very unhappy with the results. If I can't get this to work easily and quickly, I will have to cancel my subscription because I can't waste time playing with this form.

Please help.

Report · Jul 26, 2014

Hi there robbiesews,

I'm sorry that you've run into trouble with ExportPDF. The quality of the conversion really depends on the quality of the original PDF. And that can vary depending on what and how that PDF was created. Did you use software included with your scanner to scan the form to PDF? If so, adjusting the scanning options can help. When you convert a file, ExportPDF performs optical character recognition on scanned/image text to convert it to selectable text. It sounds as though the quality of the scan (could be background tint, marks, etc) is hampering the conversion.

Best,

Sara