Changing a pdf file to a workable file

[Argeo]

I have a report that is a pdf file. I need to change some numbers in it. I need to find someway to be able to get the information into either a Word doc or and Excel doc. I don't need to change it back to pdf after. Is this possible and if so, how do I do it?


Thanks,

David

[RickM]

The quick and dirty way is to "Select all" and copy. Then paste into Word. You will ikely loose formatting and font info though. Do you have Adobe? If so, which version?

[Argeo]

6.0. It is not working. It copies but it comes back in a unreadable format.

[kach22i]

Can you get the images with a copy & paste method?

[Argeo]

No dice.

Thanks,

David

[RickM]

Kach, I don't believe so.

However, When I went into Word help and typed in "PDF file" I got a few hits. Here's a converter for PDF to Word or Excell.

http://www.nuance.com/marketplace/pdfconverter/

Unfortunately it's $50.

[RickM]

Here's a "Try Before You Buy" Converter: http://www.investintech.com/prod_downloadsa2d.htm


and others:

http://www.download.com/3120-20_4-0.html?tag=srch&nid=1&qt=pdf+converter&tg=dl-20&search.x=25&search.y=9

[dhoward]

We generally use .pdf formats at work to keep people from being able to do just that...

[MotoSook]

Text copy and graphic copy. You basically cut the pdf document up and paste the graphics onto a .doc file. The text you copy and paste, and as Rick said you lose format. It's not a one shot deal, and it'll take time. I do this regularly when I have to write a report, and I reference something that was sent to me in pdf format.

[Joeaksa]

Originally posted by dhoward
We generally use .pdf formats at work to keep people from being able to do just that...

Yea and thats one of the reasons why I refuse to use Adobe. Its impossible to "cut and paste" information out of one of their documents so they have lost my business...

JoeA

[arcsine]

PDF's are a pre-printer file and as such have much of the document "locked" to prevent editing. A full version of Acrobat (not just Reader) will allow text editing but on a line-line basis. Illustrator and Freehand can open PDF files and maintain the layout and all the text wil be editable but again on a line-line basis. Photoshop will open PDF's and if you are fascile with it can do editing but as it will be a raster file getting all the text to look right can be tricky.

The locking of the files is a design function that serves its' purpose well. When transferring files from design houses to print shops as done in the graphics world, a well formatted PDF will pose much less hassle for the printer. Most of the application specific formatting will be washed out as well as platform specific formatting by creating a PDF. The PDF format was never designed or intended as on "open" format that could be edited by anyone who happened to get ahold of the document. They are small in size, print well, are cross platform compatible and can be created by essentially any application. PDF's have their issues but "open-ness" or lack thereof is not one of them.

[layzee]

If you have MS Office 2003, try printing to 'Microsoft Document Imaging' on a protected PDF. This does OCR on the document like scanner software and you should then be able to copy/paste into Word.

[jorian]

PDF files are DESIGNED not to be changed. The author is looking to maintain the integrity of the data.

[Yellowbird RS]

Acrobat Pro allows you to edit or modify the file, also there are many PDF editors running around $39-79 for a standar license

[targa911S]

If you are just looking to change some type, try to open it in photoshop or illistrator, then you might be able to lay a box over the top of the old text and type in the new copy.

[Neilk]

How was the pdf created? If the pdf was created by scanning it, then forget it. If the pdf was created by printing it directly to pdf, then it's possible that the creator placed security restrictions on it as shown in the attached picture.