How to Convert a PDF to Word Offline

Choose what the Word file should keep

• Editable text: the text and its fonts, flowing like a normal Word document, with each picture placed between the paragraphs it sits between. Best when you want to rewrite.
• Page layout: each line where it sits on the page, with pictures in place behind the text. Best when the document must look the same.
• Words only: just the words, with no pictures and no layout. Best when you only need the text.

How to convert a PDF to Word in Monstera

1. Open the PDF

   Install Monstera free from the Microsoft Store and open the document.

2. Open Export to Word

   In the rail, choose Home, then Export in the Export group, and Export to Word.

3. Say what is in the document

   Under What is in this document?, choose Typed text if the words are already in the PDF, or Handwritten or scanned if the pages are pictures.

4. Choose the pages and what to keep

   Keep Every page, or choose Select pages and type them, such as 1-3, 5. For typed text, choose Editable text, Page layout or Words only.

5. Save the Word file

   Choose Choose where to save and save the .docx file.

Scanned and handwritten PDFs

Choose Handwritten or scanned, then how to read the pages. This computer reads printed text and nothing leaves your PC. To read handwriting too, choose Claude or Azure, which use your own account and key: they receive a picture of each page you chose, and the window says how many pages will be sent before anything is.

A scanned PDF comes out as the words only. The words read are also kept, unseen, in your PDF, so you can search it afterwards.

Good to know

• Tables come out as tables. A table with ruled lines, or a clearly laid out one, becomes a real Word table with rows and cells in the two flowing choices. A table whose columns are unclear stays as text rather than becoming a wrong table.
• Pictures look as they do on the page, turned if the page shows them turned and see-through where they are see-through.
• Your PDF is not changed, unless scanned pages are read first, and one Ctrl+Z takes that reading out again.
• Need numbers in cells? Export the tables to Excel instead.

Questions

Can I convert a PDF to Word without uploading it?

Yes. For a PDF that already contains its words, Export to Word runs entirely on your own computer. For a scan, choose This computer to read printed text without anything leaving your PC.

Will the Word file keep the layout?

Choose Page layout to keep each line where it sits on the page, or Editable text for a normal flowing document that keeps the fonts and pictures.

Does Monstera keep tables when converting to Word?

Yes, where the table is clear: a table with ruled lines, or a clearly laid out one, becomes a real Word table with rows and cells.

Can I convert a scanned PDF to Word?

Yes. Choose Handwritten or scanned, and This computer to read printed text on your PC. Handwriting can be read with your own Claude or Azure account.

Full instructions in the Help

• Export to Word
• Recognise scanned pages when exporting
• Get and add keys for AI and online reading services

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