Transfer pdf to Word?

[JerryM]

Is there a reasonable way to transfer a pdf document from the web to Word so that I can copy/paste?

I assume that the reason they are in that format is to prevent alteration of the contents.

Thanks,
Jerry

 

[x-ray]

Download yourself a copy of Adobe Reader 6.0

It has a "Select Text" button on the main toolbar which allows text to be copied and pasted into other documents.

 

[greenLED]

Yup, that's the way to do it, but be warned that certain pdf files are somehow locked and you can't select stuff off them. BTW, there's also an image select tool that will let you copy pics, etc.

 

[iddibhai]

6 also has an export text function, but you lose formatting.

 

[Ray_of_Light]

Typically, PDF file can be saved as BMP and then OCR'd. I have seen people printing them physically, then scanning and OCR.
Adobe 6 can partially solve your problem. A very good OCR will also keep the formatting.

Anthony

 

[JerryM]

Thanks a lot.
I will take a look at 6.0. I am using W 98, and the last time I updated, it appeared that 6.0 would not be compatible.

I'll check it out and thanks for the help.

Jerry

 

[JerryM]

I have 5.05, and that seems to be the latest I can use. However, I did find the Select Text tool and it works.

Thanks a lot. I guess you guys are geniuses. However, that isn't true when you disagree with me on SOME issues. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I was trying to get some ATF pdf documents converted to Word in order to post some laws regarding transfer of firearms. this will help.

Thanks again,
Jerry

 

[Eugene]

Have a link to the PDF's, I use Koffice which can import PDF's to a certain extent.

 

[Saaby]

The only problem is if you run across a PDF where the text are graphics, if that makes any sense. Then you HAVE to save to bmp and OCR.

 

[JerryM]

Thanks for the help.
I have not tried it, but I wonder if something like IrfanView could transfer a photo from pdf. I will have to try it to see.

Jerry

 

[Eugene]

You can install ghostscript on winderz, it will disect themand let you pull out more parts than the acrobat reader will.

 

[JerryM]

Where is gostcript available?

I did use a program sRip32 to copy a picture from a pdf file. It worked fine. I did not try Irfanview.

Jerry

 

[Eugene]

http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~ghost/doc/AFPL/get814.htm

I haven't tried the windows version in a long time so I can't say for sure if it will work, but PDF's are basically postscript with some adobe propritary commands built in so ghost script understands them for the most part.

 

[tylerdurden]

If you just want to copy text out, you don't need any special tools. When you're viewing the PDF, you just need to click on the "text selection" tool, then you can highlight text and copy and paste as normal.

 

[nightgaunt]

Also, is there anyway to get around a .pdf file that does not allow editing? I just want to fill in fields on a job application, but the security blocks this.

THANKS!