Nov 12, 2019
How can I retain formatting when importing a PDF into Google Docs?
I have a PDF document featuring text, tables, and images that I want to share in Google Docs. Unfortunately, the formatting is completely destroyed as soon as I open the file. The tables and images disappear, the text changes font, and everything is out of alignment.
The preview I'm shown when I open the PDF with Gmail, however, is exactly as it should be. The problems only start when I hit 'Open with Google Docs'. For the record, I have tried downloading the file and re-uploading it, and the same things happens.
I've also made sure that the option to convert my uploads is checked in the Docs settings (this has happened with the box both checked and unchecked).
Is there any way to import this PDF so as to preserve most or all of its formatting? This would be my ideal solution by far. Alternatively, is there another file type I can use that will give me better results? I imagine saving as an image could work, but I want to keep the file as a text document if possible.
Thank you!
Thank you!
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Last edited Nov 12, 2019
All Replies (6)
Hi there,
Unfortunately, when PDFs are converted to text files, Docs can only import features and code that it supports and can "read." If your PDF contains tables, background images, formatting, fonts, or other features that are coded differently from Docs or contain features that currently aren't available in Docs, they won't be converted properly (if at all). There isn't any way around that or to preserve the original formatting other than to open and convert the PDF in the software in which it was created.
You could try uploading and converting the PDF to .docx format in the free online app I Love PDF. You can then download the .docx file to Drive and convert it to Docs format. Does that work any better for you?
~Jo
Jan 17, 2020
Mike, if a PDF was created in software other than Docs, any conversion to Docs won't retain all the formatting if features were used that aren't available or supported in Docs. I'm not saying you have to grovel before any software company, but you might have to do some manual formatting if you use software to create a PDF that is different from the software in which you want to convert the PDF to text.
~Jo
Google Product Expert Volunteer (not a Google employee)
Jan 17, 2020
Jan 18, 2020
I think PDF is a bit of a one-way door: easy to create, hard to deconstruct I think Jo's idea of using something like I Love PDF is the way to go.
Jan 18, 2020