How to Import PDF Files and Convert Them to Text in Google Docs

Ever been in a situation where you have a PDF loaded with valuable information which needs editing ? Google Docs has got you covered. In this article, we will explore step by step how to import and convert PDFs into editable text using Google Docs, including some tips for optimizing layout during conversion and advanced techniques such as dealing with scanned PDFs.

Importation and Conversion of PDF: the Fundamentals

Why Convert PDF to Text ?

The flexibility of the text: unlike PDFs, texts are easily editable, making it more efficient to work with. Your content becomes more versatile, enabling the modification of style, structures, or even entire sections of the document.

How Does Google Docs Help ?

With Google Docs, not only can you import your desired PDF; but also convert it into an editable document. This significantly enhances your productivity by eliminating the need for any third-party applications. Moreover, recent upgrades have improved image importation and text formatting retention during conversion.

The Basic Steps

• Navigate to ‘Documents’ on the menu bar.
• Select ‘Create’ and then opt for ‘Folder’ to specify your PDF location.
• In the Import Settings window, check « Convert text documents… » and « Convert text from image file… ».

Now that we’ve established the why and how let’s delve into a detailed guide on converting your PDF into text using Google Docs.

Conversion of PDF into Text: step-by-Step Guide

Accessing Google Drive

You start by going to Google Drive. From there, select ‘New’ and then ‘File Upload’ to import your PDF.

Converting the PDF

Once the PDF is uploaded on Drive, right-click on it and choose ‘Open with Google Docs’. Your PDF will now open in an editable format. Easy as pie, isn’t it ?

While this basic conversion works for most documents, sometimes you might want to optimize the layout for a smoother editing process. Let’s look at how we can do that in the next section.

Optimizing Layout During Conversion of a PDF into a Google Doc

Maintaining Consistency

The recent updates to Google Docs ensure better retention of styles and text formatting during conversion. This means your converted document will closely resemble the original PDF, making edits easier to track.

Supporting Atypical Layouts

The new features also consider unconventional layouts, meaning that even if your PDF has a unique structure, google Docs will do its best to keep its essence intact.

We’ve covered regular and optimized conversion so far. But what if you have a scanned PDF ? That’s where the advanced use case comes in !

Advanced Usage: converting Scanned PDF with Google Docs

Navigating OCR (Optical Character Recognition)

The magic behind converting scanned documents is OCR. It allows Google Docs to recognize text from image-based files like scanned documents or photos. The ‘Convert text from image file…’ option in Import Settings activates this feature.

This was about dealing with special cases. Next, let’s dive into some techniques and tips for editing these converted documents within Google Drive itself.

Editing PDFs in Google Drive: techniques and Tips

Converting to Google Doc Format

Google Drive does not provide a free PDF editor. However, converting your PDF into Google Docs format enables you to edit the content.

Keeping Original PDF Intact

If you’d like to keep the original PDF file intact, make a copy before converting it into Google Doc format. This way, you can always refer back to the original document if needed.

We’ve now covered methods of importing and converting PDF files using Google Docs, including handling scanned documents. But what if your work involves dealing with multiple files types ? Read on !

From Google Docs to Google Sheets: efficiently Converting PDF Files

Leveraging Google’s Suite for File Conversions

The versatility of Google’s software suite goes beyond Docs. Depending on your needs, you may find yourself needing to convert a document into another format like Sheets. The process remains largely similar – upload your file onto Drive and select ‘Open with’ the desired application.

In essence, importing a PDF and converting it into text in Google Docs is a simple yet powerful tool that offers flexibility and productivity, making your content management more efficient. From basic conversions to advanced techniques such as handling scanned documents or manipulating layout during conversion – you now have all the knowledge required. Thus ensuring seamless work experience !