PDF format has become quite popular among file-sharing platforms owing to the features associated with that format. PDFs are widely used because they preserve the original formatting of a document, regardless of the device or software used to view them. This makes them ideal for sharing documents that need to be printed or viewed on different devices.
PDFs can contain text, images, links, and other types of media, and they can be created from any application by selecting “Save as PDF” or “Print to PDF.” You can open and read PDFs using a PDF reader program, such as Adobe Acrobat Reader or Foxit Reader. However, the main challenge associated with PDFs is the immutability of the content. Since PDFs retain the formatting and content of the original files, you may have a hard time editing the documents unless you use specialized software.
What, then, can I do, you may ask? If you want to make changes to a PDF file, the best option you have is to convert the PDF file into an editable format, depending on your needs. This article discusses when a PDF converter can be helpful to you.
What Is A PDF Converter
Just like the name suggests, a PDF converter is a piece of software that changes the format of a file from PDF to any desired format. There are different types of PDF converters available for consumers. You could buy software that can be installed on your computer, or you could opt to use online PDF converters such as smallpdf.com/pdf-to-word to convert your PDF files to Word formats. The type of PDF converter you use is dependent on your specific needs at that time.
A PDF converter is essential, especially for someone who regularly works with different file formats. Therefore, you need to invest in some of the best PDF converters that offer quality and security profiles. Remember, in the digital era, there are very many unscrupulous individuals looking to access your data in an unauthorized manner. Additionally, some PDF converters have been accused of selling data they obtain from their consumers when they opt to use their services.
When To Use A PDF Converter
The simple answer to the question of when you should use a PDF converter is every time. There are many instances when a PDF converter will be convenient. Firstly, a PDF converter can convert your documents into word formats to edit the text. After converting the files into word, you can make any necessary changes and convert them back into PDF to preserve those changes.
In instances where you need to analyze data in a PDF file, The best option is to convert the data on the PDF file into an excel sheet for easy analysis. An excel file is desirable as it can allow you to employ features such as filtering and sorting and other mathematical formulas available on spreadsheet software.
If you have an image on a PDF file, you can convert it into JPEG or PNG format to put the image in another document or upload it on your website. Additionally, you can convert a PDF file into HTML or other markup languages to publish them on a website. Simply put, you have numerous opportunities to use PDF converters at any point in your experience handling digital files.
A PDF file converter is a must-have for any company or entity. The following section discusses why you must have a PDF file converter, whether a business or a private individual.
Reasons To Use A PDF Converter
As covered above, the main reason you have a PDF converter is to have a chance to change the format of all the files you have depending on your specific needs. This will allow you to easily edit the files or analyze the data in PDF files, as opposed to when you have them in an uneditable format such as PDF.
Having a PDF file converter increases your freedom to reach out to different audiences who do not have access to PDF readers. You can convert the files you have into formats that are accessible to the consumers of your content, thus increasing the audience you have. Additionally, you can convert the files to more accessible formats such as HTML or text, especially if your audience encompasses people with disabilities.
Having a PDF converter will prove invaluable if you have hard-copy files that you would want to analyze or access data from. Some PDF file converters are equipped with OCR technology, meaning they can extract figures and text from scanned images. All you would need to do is to scan the physical files using a scanner, convert the scanned files into PDF, whether or not they are images, and convert the PDF files into editable formats such as excel or word. This will save you a lot of time in data entry and cut down on the costs you would otherwise have incurred.
At times, you may need to reuse some of the content in PDF files in different projects. Without a PDF file converter, you will have to type out all the content in the PDF files before replicating it in a new project or document. However, using a PDF file converter will ensure that you can reuse content quickly and efficiently without spending time and energy typing out content.
Since PDF file converters work both ways, they can be a perfect way to secure your files. You can convert images and HTML files into PDFs to put in place a password that will protect the authenticity and integrity of your data. While some formats, such as word documents and excel spreadsheets, have inbuilt capabilities for encryption and password protection, other files do not. PDF converters will come in handy to protect the integrity of such files.
Parting Shot
A PDF file converter is an invaluable tool in the digital file era. If you do not need large-scale converters for frequent use, you can opt for free versions of PDF converters. However, if you regularly use PDF conversion at a personal level or as part of your business undertakings, you may need to get specialized software which may not be free. The bottom line is always to have access to a PDF file converter because you may never know when you will need it.
