How to convert PDFs to Google Docs – A comprehensive guide

Productivity Boost

Jackson Kustec

jackson@macro.com

Published: Sun Oct 29 2023

Ever tried converting a PDF to a Google Doc directly in Google Drive? Only to find the formatting and images all over the place? This can be frustrating and time-consuming to fix, with the finished document not looking the way you want it to.

This guide will tell you how to convert your PDF to a Google Doc with all the formatting and images in place . Doing this is easier with a tool like Macro, but we’ll explore other options too.

How to convert PDFs to Google Docs?

Picture this: you're spearheading a project, and you receive the proposal draft in PDF format.

As you go through it, you spot areas that need updated data and feedback from various teams.

You need to collaborate quickly to get this proposal polished and ready. Google Docs is your go-to in these type of situations because:

team members from marketing, sales, and R&D can chime in with their insights in real time.
circulating the updated document for a final round of reviews is straightforward with Google Docs.
with a PDF, you would have to juggle multiple file versions sent via email. Now, you can simply share the link , ensuring everyone is on the same page, quite literally.

Converting the document into a Google Doc is the right answer as it’ll let you edit and share it easily.

But can you do this without disrupting the layout and visual elements?

How can you avoid these formatting issues without increasing your own grunt work?

We’ll explore 5 ways you can convert your PDF to a Google Doc in under 5 minutes with your document remaining intact. The first way is particularly simple.

Method 1. Converting your PDF to a Google Doc with Macro

Macro is a tool that lets you convert, edit, and annotate documents. Its AI features make it easy to quickly review long documents.

It is built to enhance your productivity and impress your clients with documents that can be viewed and signed easily.

Here’s how to convert a PDF into a Google Doc with Macro.

Step 1. Opening your PDF in Macro

Once you’ve logged into Macro, click ‘ Open a PDF or DOCX file ’.

Select the PDF you want to convert to a Google Doc and click ‘ Open ’.

Step 2. Saving the PDF as a Word document with Macro

Once you’ve clicked ‘ Open ’, you’ll be taken inside the document. In the top-right corner, click:

‘ Save ’.
‘ Save As ’.

After you click ‘ Save As ’:

Select ‘ Microsoft Word ’ as your format.
Click ‘ Save ’.

Step 3 . Logging into Google Drive and importing your Word document

Click ‘ New ’ in the top-left corner and then ‘ File Upload ’.

Search for your document. Select the right document and click ‘ Open ’.

Once you’re done, the easiest way to locate the file is to click ‘ Recent ’. You’ll see the Word document version of your file here.

Step 4 . Opening your document with Google Docs.

Click the three dots beside your file name, and:

Select ‘Open With’ .
Select ‘Google Docs’ .

Your document will open up in Google Docs, where you can edit it in whatever way you like.

Macro doesn’t just stop here. You can use this free editing and annotating software to:

Make more changes to your document.
Review long documents in seconds with definition interlinking.
Write sections using AI.
Use the AI features to boil your document down to a few points you need to know.
Compare multiple versions of a document.

Method 2. How to convert a PDF to a Google Doc with Google Drive's built-in OCR

While Google Drive is not as seamless as using a specialized tool like Macro, it's a decent alternative.

Step 1. Uploading your PDF to Google Drive

Go to your Google Drive and click ‘ + New ’ in the top-left corner. From the drop-down, select ‘ File Upload ’.
Navigate to your PDF file, select it, and click ‘ Open ’.

Step 2. Activating the Google Drive OCR

Click the three dots. From the drop-down:

click ‘ Open With ’.
select ‘ Google Docs ’.

Google Drive will automatically convert the PDF using its OCR capabilities. This method is ideal for simpler text-heavy documents that lack images.

Method 3. How to convert a PDF to a Google Doc using third-party online converters

Here for a one-time conversion? Follow this mini-guide to operate with third-party converters.

Step 1. Finding a reliable online PDF to Word converter

Search online for a well-reviewed and trusted tool. Websites like SmallPDF or PDFtoDOC are popular choices.

Step 2. Uploading and converting your document

Follow the website's instructions, which typically involve uploading your PDF and waiting for the site to convert it to a Word document.

Step 3. Uploading the Word Document to Google Drive

Click the ‘ New ’ button in the top-left corner of the page.
From the dropdown menu that appears, select ‘ File Upload ’.
A file browser window will open. Navigate to the location on your computer where you saved the converted Word document.
Select the document and click ‘ Open ’.

Step 4. Opening the Word Document with Google Docs

After the Word document has been uploaded to Google Drive, locate the file within your Drive. As we’ve seen above, you’ll always find it in the ‘ Recent ’ folder, or you could run a search.
Click the three dots and then ‘ Open with ’. From the submenu, select ‘ Google Docs ’.
Google Docs will automatically convert the Word document into its format, allowing you to edit and share the content.

Method 4. How to convert a PDF to a Google Doc using mobile app conversion

This option makes sense if you’re constantly on the go and have a high number of PDF conversions to do.

Step 1. Choosing a reliable app

Search your mobile device's app store for a PDF-to-Word converter. Install it.

Step 2. Converting using the app

Launch the app and follow its instructions to convert your PDF to a Word document.

Step 3. Uploading to Google Drive

Once converted, open your Google Drive mobile app.
Click the ‘ + ’ symbol, select ‘ Upload ’, and choose your converted Word document.
Once uploaded, you can access Google Drive from any device and open the document with Google Docs.

Method 5. How to convert a PDF to a Google Doc using Adobe Acrobat

Here’s how you can convert to Google Docs with Adobe Acrobat.

Step 1. Opening the PDF in Adobe

Visit the PDF to Word conversion page provided by Adobe Acrobat online services.
Click the button labeled ‘ Select a file ’.
Find your PDF and select it. Click ‘ Open ’.
Alternatively, you can drag the file into the designated drop zone (useful if you’ve just downloaded the PDF).

Step 2. Converting the PDF to a Word Document

Once you’ve selected your file, Adobe will take less than a minute to upload and convert it on their servers.
Download the converted Word document to your device. You don’t even need to sign in!

Step 3. Converting the Word Document to a Google Doc

Navigate to Google Drive.
Click the ‘ New ’ button located on the left panel.
Select ‘ File Upload ’ from the dropdown menu.
Navigate to the location of your Word document, select it, and click ‘ Open ’ to begin the upload.
After the upload is complete, double-click the file in Google Drive to automatically open and convert it to a Google Doc format.

Read and edit documents faster with Macro

Macro is a great option if you work with documents on the daily:

Easy Conversion: Easily transform formats for more straightforward editing and sharing.
Annotation: Highlight crucial parts, ensuring your clients focus on the essential bits.
Faster document work: Enhanced viewing and reading capabilities like document interlinking, AI-assisted writing and automated bookmarks make it much faster to get documents to the finish line than old, clunky PDF & Word editors.

Macro is designed with the user in mind, reducing the monotony of navigating through lengthy documents or making quick edits.

Whether you're reviewing a contract, making changes to a proposal, or simply catching up on some reading, Macro's simple interface and powerful features make the process seamless and modern.

Harness the power of Macro and elevate your document work.