To convert a PDF to DOCX (Microsoft Word) format on Linux, you have several options. Here are the textual steps to perform this conversion:
- Install the necessary libraries and tools: Open the terminal on your Linux system. Make sure you have "pdftotext" and "unoconv" utilities installed. You can check by running the following commands: pdftotext -v unoconv -v If any of the utilities are missing, you can install them using your package manager. For example, on Ubuntu or Debian-based systems, you can use the command: sudo apt-get install poppler-utils unoconv
- Convert PDF to text: Run the following command to convert the PDF to a text file: pdftotext input.pdf output.txt This command will extract the text content from the PDF and save it in a text file named "output.txt". You can choose any desired name for the output file.
- Convert text to DOCX: Next, you need to convert the extracted text file to the DOCX format. We will utilize the "unoconv" command for this. Run the following command: unoconv -f docx output.txt This command will convert the extracted text file ("output.txt") to a DOCX file. The resulting DOCX file will have the same name as the input text file, i.e., "output.docx". You can rename it to any desired name.
You have now successfully converted a PDF to DOCX format on a Linux system. The resulting DOCX file can be opened with any compatible word processing software, such as Microsoft Word or LibreOffice Writer.
Best Linux Books to Read in 2024
What is the command to convert a PDF to DOCX using LibreOffice on Linux?
The command to convert a PDF to DOCX using LibreOffice on Linux is:
1
|
libreoffice --convert-to docx {input-file}.pdf
|
Replace {input-file} with the actual file name/path of the PDF you want to convert.
What is the file size difference between PDF and DOCX formats on Linux?
The file size difference between PDF and DOCX formats can vary depending on the content and complexity of the document. However, in general, PDF files tend to have a larger file size compared to DOCX files. This is because PDF files are typically designed to preserve the formatting and layout of the document, which often results in larger file sizes. On the other hand, DOCX files are compressed XML-based document files and are generally smaller in size.
What is the best cloud-based PDF to DOCX converter for Linux?
There are several reputable cloud-based PDF to DOCX converters that you can use on Linux. Two popular options are Smallpdf and Soda PDF. These platforms provide reliable conversion services and work well on Linux systems. Additionally, they offer other useful features and can handle various file formats. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on your specific needs and preferences.
How to convert PDF forms to fillable DOCX forms on Linux?
There are various ways to convert PDF forms to fillable DOCX forms on Linux. Here are a few methods you can try:
- LibreOffice: LibreOffice is a free and open-source office suite that includes Writer, a word processing application. It can open and edit PDF files, including forms, and save them as DOCX files. To use LibreOffice, install it from your distribution's package manager and open the PDF form in LibreOffice Writer. Make necessary edits and save the file as a DOCX document.
- PDF Studio: PDF Studio is a commercial PDF editor that supports Linux. It allows you to create fillable PDF forms and export them as DOCX files. You can download the trial version or purchase the software from the Qoppa Software website.
- Online Services: There are various online services available that allow you to upload a PDF form and convert it to a fillable DOCX format. Some popular options include Adobe Acrobat online services, Smallpdf, and Soda PDF. These services usually have both free and paid options, but be mindful of potential data privacy concerns when using online services.
- pdftk and Pandoc: If you prefer a command-line approach, you can use a combination of pdftk and Pandoc. First, use pdftk to convert the PDF form fields to an FDF file: pdftk form.pdf generate_fdf output form.fdf. Then, convert the FDF file to a DOCX file using Pandoc: pandoc form.fdf -o form.docx. Install pdftk and Pandoc through your package manager if they are not already installed.
Remember that PDF to DOCX conversion may not always produce a perfectly formatted and editable result. The complexity of the form and any advanced form features may affect the conversion quality. Test the converted DOCX form thoroughly to ensure it meets your requirements.
How to convert scanned PDFs to editable DOCX format on Linux?
There are several methods to convert scanned PDFs to editable DOCX format on Linux. Here are two commonly used options:
- Using Open Source OCR Software (Tesseract): Install Tesseract OCR engine: Open your terminal and run the command sudo apt-get install tesseract-ocr. Install language packs: Depending on the language of your document, you may need to install the corresponding language pack. For example, for English, run sudo apt-get install tesseract-ocr-eng. Convert scanned PDF to a searchable PDF: Run the command ocrmypdf -l LANG input.pdf output.pdf, replacing LANG with the language code, for example, eng for English. Convert searchable PDF to DOCX: Use the command pandoc -s input.pdf -o output.docx, replacing input.pdf with the converted searchable PDF file, and output.docx with the desired output DOCX file name.
- Using Online Services: You can utilize web-based services that offer PDF to DOCX conversion. Here are a few popular options: Smallpdf: Visit https://smallpdf.com/pdf-to-word and select your scanned PDF file. Choose the DOCX output format and follow the instructions to convert and download the file. Adobe Acrobat Online: Go to https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/online/pdf-to-word.html, upload your scanned PDF, select the output format as DOCX, and proceed to convert and download the file.
Please note that online services may have certain limitations, such as file size restrictions or privacy concerns. Consider using them accordingly.
How to convert PDF to DOCX with custom font embedding on Linux?
To convert a PDF to DOCX with custom font embedding on Linux, you can use the following steps:
- Install the required tools: Apache OpenOffice: sudo apt-get install openoffice unoconv: sudo apt-get install unoconv FontTools: sudo apt-get install python3-fonttools
- Download and install the custom fonts: Place the custom font files (usually in TTF or OTF format) in a directory of your choice.
- Convert the PDF to DOCX: Open a terminal and navigate to the directory containing the PDF file. Run the following command to convert the PDF to DOCX: unoconv -f docx -e EmbedAllFonts=True -e SubsetFonts=False your_file.pdf This command uses unoconv with the options -e EmbedAllFonts=True to embed all fonts and -e SubsetFonts=False to prevent subsetting of fonts.
- Modify the generated DOCX file to include the custom fonts: Unzip the DOCX file: unzip your_file.docx -d docx_extract Navigate to the extracted directory: cd docx_extract Edit the styles.xml file: vim word/styles.xml Locate the section and add entries for each custom font: path/to/CustomFont1.ttfpath/to/CustomFont1-Bold.ttf Save and exit the editor. Re-zip the modified files: zip -r your_file_modified.docx . Remove the extracted directory: rm -rf docx_extract
Now, you should have a DOCX file with custom font embedding on Linux. Please note that the above instructions assume you have basic knowledge of using the command line on Linux.
