NFR Admitted Computer DumbAss, Help!

Non-fishing related
Flymph

Flymph

Life of the Party
In layman's terms what is the best way to convert a PDF document into an editable document without spending a cheapskate's money for a commercial converter program? I have put my time into this with videos and other so-called free converters that eventually talk about "paid" subscription renewals. Easily frustrated computer person!
 
Do need to add text or change the text that's there?
 
What version of Word do you have? Version 2013 and newer can do it:

Opening PDFs in Word - Microsoft Support

Find out what parts of a PDF file will look correct and which won't when you open them in Word, and what to do about it.
support.microsoft.com support.microsoft.com

Note capabilities/restrictions in link...
 
What version of Adobe Acrobat do you have (Assuming you have at least Reader for PDF files)? If you have Adobe Acrobat, your should be able to Save as Other - then choose Word
 
As RCF said, Word can do it, and if you have a Mac, Preview can do it.

But note that if this is a legal document derived from an attorney, such as your copy of your trust, you will not be able to edit it as it is protected, almost without exception.
 
cascadian said:
As RCF said, Word can do it, and if you have a Mac, Preview can do it.

But note that if this is a legal document derived from an attorney, such as your copy of your trust, you will not be able to edit it as it is protected, almost without exception.
Click to expand...
How, exactly does it work with "Preview"?
 
Flymph said:
How, exactly does it work with "Preview"?
Click to expand...
To use Evan's comment of, "Do need to add text or change the text that's there?", in the first case, choose the Markup icon (a circle with what appears as a pencil in it) and then choose Text box. If it's the second case, it must be editable, or failing that, highlight all of the text, paste that text into a new Pages document, make your changes, and save that as a PDF.

Not to continue hammering a point, but 30 pages sounds like a document that may be protected.

Or my honey-do list.
 
If it is secured or locked from editing, right click on the attachment, open in google and print to adobe. This will create a editable PDF.
 
Large-scale editing of an Adobe document in Adobe is a PIA (spacing issues among other things), not sure why you would want to do it. If it is just a couple of words, no problem (if you have Acrobat). If you need large-scale editing, better to convert to Word, edit as needed, then create (publish) a new PDF.

Just my opinion, but born from experience.

Good luck.
 
I usually refrain from posting this but it is important IMHO.

I am an techie/geeky guy with a focus on privacy and security. Probably too much so... Truth be told, I have been out of that industry for awhile. But what I saw and learned back then about still applies now, maybe even more so now. We have all seen "once on the internet, it is always on the internet". It is so true. If one uses these free internet tools, ever wonder how they stay in business? It is not provided because they are rich nor out of the goodness of their heart. It is because they make money selling the information you provide. I stay totally away from those free tools. Ever read the Terms and Conditions they provide? If you are like me ---> No.

Social media does not make their money on the product they sell. Many times it is provided free e.g. Facebook and Google. They make their billions, and now potentially trillions, of dollars selling your information. First app I uninstall when loading a new computer or buy a new phone is Facebook. Ever wonder why there are all these new free games appear on your computer or phone with an update? It is because they are stealing your information, without notifying you, to sell to others.

I know it is an upward battle and that I will not win the war. But whatever I can do to reduce the amount exposure of my information, I try...

The only social media site I use PNWFF. Their 'charter' states they will not sell information. Knowing the capabilities of the owners, and their commitment to privacy and security, I trust them.

Okay. Off my soapbox and to regular programming...
 
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