# Convert PDF to Word (.docx)

> Turn a PDF into an editable .docx by running LibreOffice in your browser. Layout-preserving, no upload.

Open the tool: https://yourbrowsercandoit.com/pdf-to-word

Convert PDF to editable .docx. Loads LibreOffice on first use. Free, no signup. Runs entirely in your browser; files are never uploaded.

## How it works

Most online PDF-to-Word converters upload your file to their servers. This tool runs LibreOffice compiled to WebAssembly, locally in your browser. On first use, the LibreOffice bundle (~300 MB) loads from the network and caches in your browser. After that, every conversion runs offline. Conversion quality depends on the source PDF: text-based PDFs with clean structure (digital exports from Word, Google Docs) convert with good fidelity. Scanned PDFs convert as images embedded in a Word doc, you'd need to OCR first for editable text. Complex layouts (multi-column journals, magazine layouts) lose some structure. The output .docx opens in Word, Pages, LibreOffice Writer, and Google Docs. Note: the LO WASM bundle isn't fully self-hosted yet; the tool will return an honest error message until it's deployed.

## How to use it

1. **Drop your PDF.** Text-based PDFs convert best; scans need OCR first.
2. **Wait for the engine on first use.** The LibreOffice WASM bundle (~300 MB) downloads once, then caches.
3. **Convert.** The conversion runs locally in your browser — nothing is sent anywhere.
4. **Download the .docx.** Open it in Word, Pages, LibreOffice Writer, or Google Docs.

## Frequently asked questions

### How does PDF to Word work in the browser?

LibreOffice compiled to WebAssembly handles the conversion. The bundle loads on first use, then caches.

### Is my PDF uploaded to a server?

No. Once the LibreOffice WASM bundle is loaded, conversion runs locally in your browser. The PDF never leaves your device.

### How accurate is the conversion?

Good for text-based PDFs with simple layouts. Lower fidelity for complex layouts (magazines, multi-column journals) and scanned PDFs (which become images in the Word doc).

### Why is the first conversion slow?

The LibreOffice WASM bundle is large (~300 MB). It downloads once, then caches. Subsequent conversions are quick.

## Related tools

- [Merge PDFs](https://yourbrowsercandoit.com/merge-pdf): Combine multiple PDFs into one file.
- [Split PDF](https://yourbrowsercandoit.com/split-pdf): Click between pages to cut, split every N pages, or pull pages out.
- [Compress PDF](https://yourbrowsercandoit.com/compress-pdf): Shrink a PDF or fit it under a size limit, and compare before saving.
- [Rotate pages](https://yourbrowsercandoit.com/rotate-pdf): Turn pages the right way up. Sideways pages are found for you.
- [Extract pages](https://yourbrowsercandoit.com/extract-pages): Pull pages out as a new PDF.
- [Watermark PDF](https://yourbrowsercandoit.com/watermark-pdf): Add text or a logo, placed and previewed on the real page.