This FAQ collects the questions that come up most often when people start converting PDF files. The answers are based on the archived help pages for the Quick PDF tools and have been rewritten as general guidance.
What is the PDF format?
PDF stands for Portable Document Format and was created by Adobe Systems. Files use the extension .pdf. Businesses, governments and publishers rely on it because a PDF keeps text formatting, colours and graphics exactly as they were in the source document. Viewing one requires a reader program, and a free one is available from Adobe.
What does conversion software do?
It turns a PDF into editable formats such as DOC, DOCX and RTF. Broader tools also produce Excel files and images.
What are the main features of a PDF-to-Word tool?
- a simple one-screen process
- layout preservation
- extraction of images, saved as formats like PNM, PPM, PBM, TIFF, JPG, PSD, PNG, BMP or PCX
- free technical support and a modest price
Can it handle languages other than English?
The archived product states that it works with documents in nine languages: English, German, Italian, Dutch, French, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese and Norwegian.
Which formats can I get?
Word formats (DOC, DOCX, RTF) are supported, and the converted files can be edited at once. Direct PDF-to-HTML and HTML-to-PDF conversion is not offered by that product.
Do I need to download again to move from a trial to a full version?
Yes. After purchase a registration key is sent by email, and you enter it while installing the full version.
Why does my registration key stop working after a reinstall?
Keys are normally good for a single installation on a single computer. If you removed the program by accident, the vendor has to issue a new key after checking your purchase details.
Is support free?
The archived pages say yes: support is available by email to customers who run into problems.
Is the ordering process secure?
Online stores use SSL encryption, and the page address starts with https. A closed padlock in the corner of the browser window is another signal that the connection is protected. These are good checks to make on any shop.
Why do I get a blank page in the Word file?
Two reasons are possible. Either Microsoft Word is not available on the computer, or the “text only” or “formatted text” mode was selected. Those modes discard pictures, so use flowing text or “as is” when images should be kept.
What if I have no internet to activate the software?
Contact the vendor’s support team for guidance on offline activation.
What if activation fails even though I am online?
Firewall rules are a frequent cause. Ask a network administrator, or disable the antivirus briefly while activating. If neither helps, contact support.
Can scanned files be converted?
Yes. A scanned PDF can be converted to Word with its text kept, using the OCR feature.
What does “file is missing” mean?
Uninstall and reinstall the program, then ask for the registration key to be reactivated.
Why does the print-out look wrong?
Open Page Setup and check that the paper size is Letter, A4 or whichever size the printer supports.
More detail on trial versions
Trial releases usually limit what you can do so that you can evaluate the output without receiving a finished product. Common limits are a fixed number of conversions, a restriction to the first page of a document, or a watermark across the result. This is why a trial that appears to produce a partial or blank result is not necessarily a fault: read the limits listed on the download page before drawing conclusions.
More detail on image formats
When a converter extracts images from a PDF it can usually keep them in their original format or convert them. The formats named in the archive are PNM, PPM, PBM, TIFF, JPG, PSD, PNG, BMP and PCX. As a rule of thumb, PNG suits screenshots and graphics with flat colours, JPG suits photographs, and TIFF suits material that will be printed or archived.
More detail on payment safety
Besides checking for https and the padlock, look for a clear order summary, a confirmation email and a privacy statement before you enter card details on any store. If anything about the page seems unusual, close it and revisit the site by typing the address yourself.
More detail on scanned documents
Scanned pages deserve special handling. Resolution matters: a scan of 300 dots per inch gives character recognition far more to work with than a faint 100 dpi copy. Straight pages, clean contrast and a single language per page all improve accuracy. After conversion, proofread names, figures and dates carefully, since recognition engines most often slip on small print, unusual fonts and handwriting. If the scan came from a fax, expect more corrections than for a scan of a clean laser print.
More detail on registration and reinstalling
Before uninstalling a licensed program, note the key and the email address used to buy it. If you plan to move the program to a new computer, deactivate or release the licence first if the vendor offers that option. When a key is rejected after a reinstall, do not try to use workarounds; ask the vendor for a replacement, supplying the purchase details they request.
How to avoid problems
Before relying on any tool for important work, test it on a sample document and keep copies of the originals. You can also read the troubleshooting notes and the PDF to Word guide for more detail.
A few extra tips
Large PDFs convert faster when split into sections, and image-heavy PDFs usually give bigger Word files. If the output looks slightly different from the PDF, check which layout mode was used before assuming the program has failed. Finally, keep the converter updated, because updates often bring improved font handling and new Word versions support.
Still stuck? Write down the exact message you see, the program version and the Windows version, then compare them with the notes above.