Convert PDF to Google Docs

Open any PDF in Google Docs with perfect formatting. Convert to Word first with PDF.it, then upload to Google Drive for easy editing and collaboration.

Preserves Formatting
Files Deleted After Session
Works on Any Device

Google Drive can technically open PDFs, but the results are often disappointing — tables break apart, fonts change, and images shift. By converting to DOCX first with PDF.it, you get a clean, editable document that Google Docs can render properly with formatting, tables, and images intact.

  • ✓ Better formatting than opening PDFs directly
  • ✓ Tables, images, and text structure preserved
  • ✓ Full editing and collaboration in Google Docs
  • ✓ Share and collaborate in real time with your team
Step 1: Convert PDF to Word

Then upload the DOCX to Google Drive and open with Google Docs

Collaborative Editing

Need multiple people to edit a PDF? Convert to Google Docs format so your entire team can make changes simultaneously with real-time collaboration and comments.

Works on Chromebooks

Chromebooks run Google Docs natively but cannot install Word. Convert your PDF to DOCX with PDF.it, then open in Google Docs for full editing capability on ChromeOS.

Cloud-Based Workflow

Keep all your documents in Google Drive. Convert PDFs to Google Docs format so everything lives in one organized, searchable, cloud-based system.

How to Open a PDF in Google Docs

1

Convert PDF to Word

Use PDF.it to convert your PDF to DOCX

2

Upload to Google Drive

Upload the DOCX file to drive.google.com

3

Open with Google Docs

Double-click the file to edit in Google Docs

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open a PDF directly in Google Docs?

Google Drive can open PDFs, but the formatting is often broken. For best results, convert the PDF to a Word DOCX file first using PDF.it, then upload the DOCX to Google Drive and open it with Google Docs. This preserves formatting, tables, and images much better.

Why should I convert to DOCX before uploading to Google Docs?

Google Docs handles DOCX files much better than PDFs. When you open a PDF in Google Docs directly, it often loses layout, fonts, and table structure. Converting to DOCX first with PDF.it preserves the formatting so Google Docs can render it properly.

Is this method free?

PDF to Word conversion on PDF.it is available to Pro and Business subscribers. Once you have the DOCX file, uploading to Google Drive and opening in Google Docs is completely free with any Google account.

Will the formatting be preserved in Google Docs?

Converting PDF to DOCX with PDF.it preserves most formatting including fonts, tables, images, and layout. Google Docs may make minor adjustments when opening the DOCX, but the result is far better than opening the PDF directly.

Can I collaborate on the document after converting?

Yes. Once the DOCX is opened in Google Docs, you can share it with others, use real-time collaboration, add comments, suggest edits, and track changes — just like any other Google Docs document.

Can I do this on a Chromebook?

Yes. PDF.it works in any browser, including Chrome on Chromebooks. Convert your PDF to DOCX, download it, upload to Google Drive, and open in Google Docs — all without installing any software.