PDF to DOC Converter (Word 97-2003)
To convert a PDF to DOC, upload the file, pick DOC as the output and convert it. The text is first rebuilt as flowing paragraphs, headings and lists, then LibreOffice saves it as a genuine binary Word 97-2003 .doc file. Choose this format only when an older Office version or a legacy system requires .doc; otherwise DOCX is the better choice.
- Free, no sign-up
- Files deleted within 30 minutes
- Up to 100 MB
Files are permanently deleted from our servers within 30 minutes.
How to convert PDF to DOC
Upload your PDF file
Drag your PDF file onto the upload area or browse for it (up to 100 MB).
Keep DOC as the target
DOC is already selected in the menu; you can pick another format if you need one.
Convert and download
Press “Convert” and the download of the converted file starts automatically.
What is preserved?
Kept
- Text, headings and bulleted or numbered lists
- Images embedded in the PDF
- Font sizes and text colours
Changed
- Page layout becomes flowing text
- Fonts missing on our server are substituted
Not carried over
- Table structure: cells become paragraphs
- Full-page background images
When to use it
Sending files to people on old Office versions
Some offices and public institutions still run Word 2003 or earlier, which cannot open .docx without a compatibility pack. A .doc file opens there directly, so the recipient can edit the text right away.
Upload portals that only accept .doc
Older document management systems and application portals sometimes reject anything except .doc. Converting your PDF to DOC gives you an editable file in the exact format the system expects, ready to adjust and upload.
Limitations to know
- No OCR for scanned PDFs.
- Encrypted PDFs are rejected.
- Maximum file size is 100 MB.
About the formats
What is PDF?
PDF (Portable Document Format) is a fixed-layout document format created by Adobe and standardised as ISO 32000. Every piece of text, image and line is stored with its position on the page, so a PDF looks the same on every device and prints reliably. The trade-off is editing: a PDF stores positions on a page, not paragraphs and tables. Scanned PDFs contain only page images and need OCR before any text can be extracted.
What is DOC?
DOC is the binary document format that was the default in Microsoft Word 97 through 2003. It stores text, formatting, tables and images in a single proprietary structure. DOCX replaced it in 2007, but DOC is still used because of older Office installations, some organisational systems and upload portals that only accept .doc. Current versions of Word, LibreOffice and Google Docs can open DOC files; DOCX is the better choice for new documents.
Frequently asked questions
Should I choose DOC or DOCX?
Pick DOCX if the file will be opened in Word 2007 or later, LibreOffice or Google Docs; it is the current standard and usually smaller. Pick DOC only when the recipient uses Word 97-2003 or a system explicitly asks for .doc. For the modern format, use our PDF to Word converter.
Is the result a real .doc file or just a renamed file?
It is a real .doc file. The converted document is saved through LibreOffice's Word 97 filter, so it has the binary (OLE2) structure that old versions of Word expect. It is not HTML or DOCX with a changed extension, which some converters quietly deliver.
Are tables from the PDF kept in the DOC file?
No. PDFs do not store table structure, only text placed at fixed positions, so the converter cannot rebuild rows and cells. The cell contents appear as separate paragraphs in reading order, and you may need to recreate important tables in Word.
Is converting PDF to DOC free?
Yes, completely free. There is no account, subscription or watermark — just upload your file and convert it.
Is my file safe and when is it deleted?
Your file is transferred over HTTPS and stored on our server under a random code. The upload and the output are permanently deleted within 30 minutes, and the download link only works for whoever holds your unique code.