Update Employment Contracts: PDF Contract to Word File Easily

Post By: Michelle Ashley

Our digital world has made a paradigm shift to employment contracts getting delivered in our emails in PDF format rather than the conventional letters arriving at the post. The PDFs are convenient for initial viewing and e-signing saving up time and energy, however, they are not ideal for future edits or modifications. Whether you are a working professional reviewing your new employment contract, an employer sitting to revise the employment template or a student dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s of an internship offer, having an editable copy in the  Word format eases up the process. This is where the ability to convert PDF to Word becomes essential, allowing for straightforward editing and adjustments.

It is a viable option to have an editable employment contract rather than a static PDF. Let us understand the technicalities of it.

Play the Field

Before you consider converting PDF employment contract to Word, you must be aware and educated about the different options available. There are two primary methods for converting your PDF employment contract to Word:

Method 1: Cut, Copy, Paste 

This is a simple yet limited-scope method. 

Step 1: Open your PDF contract in your preferred PDF viewer or Adobe Acrobat.

Step 2: Select and copy the sections:- Use your mouse to select the required sections or the whole contract using Ctrl+A(on Windows) or Command + A(on a Mac). After selecting, copy the text using Ctrl+C or Command+C.

Step 3: Create a new Word document:- Use your preferred Word document processing software.

Step 4: Paste the copied text: After creating a new Word document, paste the copied text into your new Word document using Ctrl+V or Command+V.

After pasting the copied portions, you can start editing your document and then export it as a PDF, if required.

Benefits:

1. Easy, quick, and straightforward to use.
2. It does not require any additional software to be integrated into.

Limitations:

1. While pasting the text, formatting may not transfer accurately. This might require you to make manual modifications in Word.
2. Visual elements such as tables, charts, and graphs might not be copied perfectly. 

Method 2: Optical Character Recognition (OCR)

This method uses software that recognises text within images like your scanned PDF employment contract. It then converts the static PDF contract to Word. OCR offers a more reliable and accurate conversion of text contents as compared to the cut, copy, and paste method. 

Step 1: Launch your chosen OCR PDF software. 

Step 2: Import your PDF employment contract in the OCR.

Step 3: Select the language of the document, usually it is English.

Step 4: Click the convert button which will initiate the OCR process.

Step 5: Modify, edit, and review the converted text file. After the conversion process, most OCR generates a text file. Note, that it is crucial to proofread the converted text file for accuracy before transferring it to Word.

Step 6: After proofreading the text file, you can copy the text file by selecting it and using Ctrl+C or Command+C. 

Step 7: Paste the converted text into a new Word document by using Ctrl+V or Command+V.

Note: There might be slight variations in the steps depending on the choice of your OCR software. However, the overarching conversion process is similar. Adobe Acrobat Pro DC does offer a robust OCR tool designed to navigate complex PDFs while maintaining its format and layout. 

Benefits:

1. OCR software method is more accurate and reliable for conversion of text, including formatting and layout.
2. Visual elements like tables, charts, and graphs are converted more effectively.
3. It also offers a greeted control over the final Word document.

Limitations:

1. It is a more robust method than the cut, copy, and paste method.
2. It requires the integration of additional software.

After knowing about both methods, you can select one which works for your requirements. It is, however, extremely essential to thoroughly proofread the document in Word to avoid any errors. You must pay close attention to formatting, layout, and typos, and make sure everything resembles the original PDF contract accurately. 

Extra Insights

Here are some additional tips to enhance your PDF employment conversion process:

1. Save it 

After you have converted your static PDF into a Word document, save it with a clear descriptive filename for future reference.

1. Password Protection

For added security, in case your contract contains sensitive information, you can enable password protection features within your Word document. 

1. Retain original PDF

After you have created an editable Word document version, it is always advisable to retain the original signed PDF contract as past records or proof.

Remember, understanding your employment contract is crucial for safeguarding your interests and rights. It also ensures a smooth working relationship with your employer. Having an editable copy of your employment copy in Word format gives flexibility and control. It helps you to clarify specific terms, any reference details for future discussions, or simply have a more accessible format file. It is important to take ownership of your employer contract to navigate your professional journey with confidence.

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