How to Convert a PDF to Google Doc Format

Edit a PDF easily once it's safely in Google Docs

by
Kat Aoki
Kat Aoki
Freelance Contributor
Kat Aoki has nearly 10 years worth of professional IT and troubleshooting experience. She currently writes digital content for technology companies in the U.S. and Australia.
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Kat Aoki
Updated on February 10, 2021
reviewed by
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Jon Fisher
Lifewire Tech Review Board Member
Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA certified technologist with more than 6 years' experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek.
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Article reviewed on Dec 09, 2020
Jon Fisher

What to Know

  • In your Google Docs account, select the Open file picker icon.
  • Select the Upload tab. Choose Select a file from your device or drag the PDF onto Drag a file here.
  • Select Open with Google Docs at the top of the screen. Google Docs converts the PDF automatically.

This article explains how to convert a PDF to Google Docs format by uploading the PDF to Google Docs in a browser.

How to Convert a PDF File to Google Docs Format

When you upload a PDF to Google Docs, it converts the file to Google Docs format automatically. You don't need any special tools or software to do it; the functionality is built right in. Because Google Docs is compatible with any platform, you can work with your PDF files in any web browser or on any device.

  1. Log in to your Google Docs account.

  2. Select the Open file picker icon in the row of icons near the top of the screen. The icon looks like a folder.

    File picker

  3. Go to the Upload tab in the Open a file dialog box. Click the Select a file from your device to upload your PDF file or drag the file into the Drag a file here box.

    Upload as

  4. The file opens. Then select Open with Google Docs at the top of the screen.

    open with docs

  5. Edit the file as needed in Google Docs.

Google Docs converts PDFs while retaining the original text and formatting. Once you're in the document, you can update the text, add graphics, or rearrange the layout however you want.

When you finish with your edits, export or share the document in a variety of formats, including DOCX, RTF, PDF, and HTML. You can also download it back to PDF by going to File > Download, email it, or send it to Google Drive as a PDF file.

Google Docs has a 50 MB file size limit. Most PDFs are relatively small size, so this may not pose a problem.

Google Docs on the Go

One of the advantages of using Google Docs is that it is available from any device, anywhere you can access the internet.

If you frequently access Google Docs from a smartphone or tablet, download the Google Docs mobile app for iOS and Android devices from Google Play or the iOS App Store. With the app, you can create, edit, and collaborate on the go, just like you can in a browser.

What Is a PDF File?

PDF stands for Portable Document Format. Adobe Systems created the PDF file format in the early '90s as a way to create consistency in document formatting across different computer platforms. Thanks to the power and versatility of PDF files, they are among the most popular file formats around.

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