CNET Editors' review
Converting PDFs to Word-compatible formats while not paying for the privilege nor getting scammed can feel a bit like herding cats. Free PDF to Word Doc Converter gets a few things wrong, but eventually will land you the DOC output you want.
Impressively, it offers one of the cleanest and most accurate free PDF-to-DOC conversions around. Users can change the output path and name, convert an entire document or just specific pages, and ditch images in the source PDF if need be. From there, it goes a bit downhill. The option to open the output DOC in WordPad didn't function when we tested it, nor did the All Pages button. The program autodetects the number of pages in the PDF, though, so when you choose Page Number you're presented with essentially the same feature as All Pages.
The other big frustration is that while the program is free, after five conversions you're asked to answer a math question a bit harder than the average human-input detecting security feature. There's also no support for batch conversion, nor for PDFs locked behind passwords. These frustrations are not minor, but neither was the pitch-perfect conversion that the program put out. If you're planning on using Free PDF to Word Doc Converter, prepare for a bumpy ride but a smooth landing.
Publisher's Description
From Hellopdf.com:
Free PDF to Word Doc Converter is a desktop document conversion tool to convert Adobe PDF to MS Word file. The program can extract text, images, and shapes from PDF file to DOC file and preserve the layout. It can convert all the pages, or any part of the PDF file. It is a standalone program, so you can convert PDF to Word Doc without Adobe Acrobat Reader or Microsoft Word installed. This version is the first release on CNET Download.com.
What's new in this version: This version is the first release on CNET Download.com.
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All versions:
2.3 starsout of 93 votes
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Current version:
2.3 starsout of 93 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Good conversion, could be better"
Version: Free PDF To Word Doc Converter 1.1
Pros
Quick, easy conversion from PDF to Word.
Cons
Too much editing required in the word document, after conversion from PDF. Loses much of the original formatting. Requires careful scrutiny of converted document.
Summary
For a free product, it does a decent job.
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"Math question answers are always wrong! Don't bother!"
Version: Free PDF To Word Doc Converter 1.1
Pros
Who knows? I've never been able to get it to do anything.
Cons
The stupid math question ALWAYS calculates their answer incorrectly! I'm a math whiz, but I absolutely cannot get the answers that they come up with. I would love to see how they actually wrote the code for their math question evaluation because it must have some type of fatal error.
Summary
Don't bother downloading this because it is simply not worth the hassle.
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"Not much good about it."
Version: Free PDF To Word Doc Converter 1.1
Pros
The most annoying nag screen I've encountered. POS bait and switch program.
Yet more CNET Boosht.Cons
After you use this a couple times, you have to go on line and figure out an annoying math problem before this POS will convert the program.
So it's not free - it's 15 bucks with an extended, extremely annoying trial period. Ought to be listed as shareware or paid program. -
"Works 99.9% of the time."
Version: Free PDF To Word Doc Converter 1.1
Pros
It does a very nice conversion of all text and graphics.
Cons
When working with proper fractions, it misinterprets the horizontal line as a space marker.
Summary
I am using this on a Windows 7 64-bit machine. Besides the minor fraction issue, I will continue using this product and suggest it to others.
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"Doesn't Work with Windows 7"
Version: Free PDF To Word Doc Converter 1.1
Pros
NONE ZERO Zilch
Cons
Read previous response
Summary
Was a waste of Time trying it.
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"It's okay but has no OCR"
Version: Free PDF To Word Doc Converter 1.1
Pros
If you want to process a document as an image in Word or another word processor, this will let you do it.
Cons
But it does not convert the PDF to text, only gives you a screen cap of the document.
Summary
I think that there are better ones out there, just didn't have time to search for them.
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"It works to a point"
Version: Free PDF To Word Doc Converter 1.1
Pros
I have a good time working with this version
Cons
It does some strang things but nothing that a person can not work with
Summary
All in all it works and that is what I wanted.
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"goooooooooooooood"
Version: Free PDF To Word Doc Converter 1.1
Pros
goooooooooooooood
Cons
goooooooooooooood
Summary
goooooooooooooood
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"Conversion works."
Version: Free PDF To Word Doc Converter 1.1
Pros
It does convert to a .doc format.
Cons
Still can't copy, paste, etc. from it.
Summary
Not worth it.
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"Crap..............................."
Version: Free PDF To Word Doc Converter 1.1
Pros
none......................................
Cons
Product Simply doesn't work - load up a file in the nice user interface and hey presto!!! Nothing - waste of time
