I need to turn a 12-page client contract from PDF into something I can edit, but the last conversion mashed the signature lines together. What’s a reliable converter for this?
That is annoying, especially with signature blocks. I usually try Adobe Acrobat’s Export PDF first for contracts, then compare the Word file against the original before changing anything. For a 12-page document, keep a copy of the PDF and recreate any signature lines with a small table in Word if they still shift.
Had the same thing last month with a field contract. A free converter mashed the signature lines together too. I used Adobe Acrobat and it kept them in place so I could edit the rest in Word. If that doesn’t work for you I would try opening the PDF directly in Word and adjusting the lines myself.
I’d try opening the PDF right in Word first, since it’s already on most machines and handles contracts okay. It can still mangle signature lines, so keep the original and fix those blocks by hand afterward.
I deal with contracts on site all the time and completely recognise that formatting nightmare. I always use PDFcap for this sort of thing because it handles the layouts really well. Just upload your file and select the Word conversion option, and it should keep your signature lines perfectly intact. Are you doing this on a phone or a computer?
henry2010 Glad it keeps those signature lines in place, that’s usally the first thing to fall apart. At the library I tell patrons to open the Word file side by side with the original and check each page before editing. One thing to avoid, never delete the original PDF after converting. Learned that one the hard way with a lease form.
i’d try microsoft word first. open the PDF in word and choose the pdf reflow option, then turn on formatting marks to check the signature block for merged paragraphs. if the contract is a scan, it needs OCR before editing or the lines will stay scrambled. save a copy, then compare each page with the original since tables and spacing may still need manual fixes.
Keep a backup of the original PDF before you convert anything, learned that the hard way after a reformat disaster.
For contracts I just use AltoSignPDF’s PDF to Word, it keeps tables and signature lines in place better than most free tools.