What Makes It Difficult To Convert PDF Files

Do you know that PDF documents are one of the most stable formats available today? A PDF document will look the same on all supported devices, which means the document’s intent is not lost because it is in a presentable, not editable, format. However, this positive quality can also become negative because it is not easy to edit a PDF, especially if the PDF file was converted from another format. This article will explain what makes it difficult to convert PDF files and how to do it.

Common Reasons For PDF Conversion Failures

Before we get on to the process of converting PDF files, let us understand that converting PDF files can be challenging due to several factors:

Complex Layouts and Formatting: PDFs often include complex layouts, fonts, and images that are difficult to convert into other formats.

Embedded Fonts and Graphics: PDFs can also contain embedded fonts and high-resolution graphics, which may not be accurately rendered in other file formats.

Security Restrictions: Some PDFs are password-protected or have restrictions that prevent copying or converting content. ( Tips to password protect pdf )

Non-Text Elements: Scanned documents or PDFs containing non-text elements (like images or handwritten notes) can be difficult to convert accurately without optical character recognition (OCR) technology.

Why Is My PDF Conversion Not Working

If your PDF conversion isn’t working, it could be due to complex layouts or embedded elements that don’t translate well into other formats. Outdated software, security restrictions on the file, or a corrupted PDF can also cause problems. For scanned documents, issues with optical character recognition (OCR) might be affecting the accuracy of the conversion.

Editor’s Note: PDF Conversion Failures – A Case Study Jill was a computer professional working in an IT firm named Twinkle Association. Her job was to handle company records and make monthly presentations showcasing the company’s growth and shortcomings. She used Excel and PowerPoint to present these reports until her colleague Jack introduced the PDF format. Jill was thrilled after using it because earlier, when she used to share her presentations with others, they would open up in different formats depending on the version of Excel or PowerPoint installed on their computer. Jack recommended many apps that convert Excel and PowerPoint to PDF and vice versa.  However, one day, after a long and tiring presentation, Jill was asked to make some changes to the PDF file. She now had to convert the PDF to Excel and PowerPoint format but could not convert her presentations. She used a different application but to no avail. She switched to online web apps but could not convert her PDFs. She was upset as she could not make the changes, which meant creating the entire presentation from scratch with new changes. She called Jack, but he was clueless and suggested a few apps Jill had already tried. Not knowing what to do, Jill decided to ask her friend Tom who was also an IT professional at another company. Tom suggested using Systweak PDF Editor, a PDF management tool that would convert any PDF file to different formats. Jill tried using this app and she was successful. She was thankful to Tom and completed all the changes required in her presentation. Over the weekend, Jill visited Tom and his wife Jerry and they discussed the difficulties of converting the PDF into format. Tom explained to Jill about four different points that are involved in PDF conversions. Extracting Data For Analysis The first step in PDF conversion is to extract the data in the PDF and analyze it. This will help the app to know which data needs to be converted. Edit And Collaboration  After the data is analyzed, the PDF conversion software needs to edit and collaborate it so the data is in a readable format. Accessibility For Screen Readers  Moving further, this step is a continuation of the previous step where the data was presented in a readable format for screen readers. File Sharing And Compression  The final step is to compress the file to a certifiable limit and make it accessible to be shared with others Jill understood the basics of PDF conversion and thanked Tom and Jerry for all the help and a wonderful dinner.

Best Ways To Convert A PDF File Into Different Formats

Method 1: Use Systweak PDF Editor

Systweak PDF Editor is a tool designed to offer a range of PDF editing capabilities. It allows modifying text, adding or removing images, annotating documents, and managing pages, such as merging, splitting, or rotating. With features like form filling and digital signing, it provides a comprehensive solution for handling various PDF tasks. Its user-friendly interface and efficient performance make it a valuable option for those looking to make detailed edits to their PDF files.

Steps to Convert your PDF file to a different format:

Step 1: Download the software from the official website.
Step 2: Double-click on the downloaded file to run the installation and follow the onscreen steps.
Step 3: Once the app is installed successfully, click on the shortcut created on the desktop to launch the application.
Step 4: Now, click on the Convert tab on the top and then choose Convert To dropdown.

Step 5: Select a conversion option from the dropdown list and open the file you wish to convert.

Step 6: In the new window, click the Convert button, and the PDF document will be converted to Word document format.
Step 7: Click on the OK button in the prompt box specifying the successful conversion.
Step 8: Click on the Open button to open the Word document converted from PDF.

Method 2: Use An Online Conversion Tool

Online PDF editors function by virtually layering changes on top of an existing PDF, allowing users to fill out forms, sign documents, modify text, insert notes, highlight sections, and include images. They are also useful for merging, rotating, or deleting pages. However, their primary limitation is that they only overlay edits onto the original file, making them less suitable for extensive modifications or detailed document restructuring. There are many online PDF converters available like:

ILovePDF
SmallPDF
Adobe Online
Free PDF Converter
PDF24

The steps for using an online PDF converter tool are similar for every web tool. We have demonstrated an example using the ILovePDF web app.

Step 1: Navigate to ILovePDF and select the appropriate tool from the tabs on the top.
Step 2: Click on the Select PDF File button and choose the PDF file you wish to convert.

Step 3: Click the Convert button in the bottom right of the webpage.
Step 4: Wait for the process to complete. The time taken will depend on the size of the PDF file and its content.
Step 5: Click on the Download button and specify a location where you wish to save the file.

Can You Convert A PDF File Into A Different Format

We hope that the above methods have helped you convert a PDF file into a different format using an online tool or the Systweak PDF editor. Please let us know in the comments section which method you choose and why.

FAQs

Why Are PDFs So Hard To Convert?

PDFs are tough to convert because they are designed to preserve a document’s exact layout and appearance across different devices. Their fixed formatting and complex elements like embedded fonts, images, and security restrictions make it challenging to adapt them to other formats. Additionally, scanned PDFs require optical character recognition (OCR), which can be imprecise. These factors all contribute to the difficulty in converting PDFs while maintaining their original quality and structure.

Can I convert scanned PDFs?

Yes, but you’ll need a tool like Systweak PDF Editor and Adobe Acrobat Pro that offers built-in OCR features to convert scanned images into editable text.

Are there free options for PDF conversion?

Yes, online tools like ILovePDF, PDF24, and SmallPDF offer basic PDF conversion services for free.