Portable Document Format (PDF) files are commonly used for sharing documents as they preserve the original formatting and layout. However, PDF files are typically read-only and need to be converted to an editable format like a Word doc or Google Doc to make changes.
Opening and editing PDFs directly in Google Docs can be extremely useful for collaboration and efficiency. This article will teach you how to easily open PDFs in Google Docs, edit the contents, and share with others.
Upload the PDF to Google Drive
The first step is to upload the PDF you want to edit to your Google Drive:
- Go to drive.google.com and log into your Google account.
- Click on the New button and select File Upload.
- Find and select the PDF file on your computer you want to open in Docs.
- The file will now be uploaded and stored in your Google Drive.
Uploading the file to Drive allows you to seamlessly open and edit it with other Google Workspace apps like Docs.
Open the PDF in Google Docs
With the PDF now in Drive, opening it in Docs takes just a couple of clicks:
- In Drive, right-click on the uploaded PDF file.
- Hover over Open with and click on Google Docs from the menu.
- The PDF will then be converted and opened as an editable Doc.
The contents and basic formatting of the PDF will be preserved as much as possible. You may notice some formatting changes like different fonts, but the text should remain intact.
Edit the Document
With the PDF now opened in Docs, you can start editing:
- Edit text – Make changes, correct typos, add or delete text as needed.
- Add formatting – Use Docs styling options to format text.
- Insert images/charts – Enhance the doc with visuals.
- Comment – Add comments for collaborators.
Use all of Docs’ options to edit and improve the document. Format it to match your brand style. Add charts or images to make it more visually engaging.
Share and Export PDF
Once you finish editing in Docs, you can easily share or export the file:
- Share – Invite others to collaborate on the Doc or give viewing access.
- Export PDF – Download an updated PDF version. Go to File > Download > PDF document.
Sharing the Google Doc link lets multiple people work together. Exporting a fresh PDF creates an edited version with your changes.
Tips for Editing PDFs in Google Docs
Here are some top tips to handle PDFs effectively in Google Docs:
- Check formatting – Some original formatting like fonts may change. Review carefully.
- Simplify styling – Use simple text formatting. Complex styles may not convert properly.
- Extract text – For non-editable image PDFs, you can only extract plain text.
- Use optical character recognition (OCR) – OCR software can detect text in scanned documents to make it selectable and editable.
- Clear formatting – Erase all styles and start fresh if you have issues or inconsistencies.
Follow these best practices when editing PDF files in Google Docs for best results!
Conclusion
Opening PDFs directly in Google Docs provides an easy way to view, edit, and collaborate on PDF contents. Simply upload the file to Drive, open it in Docs, make your changes, and share or export the updated document.
While formatting limitations exist, the convenience of cloud-based editing makes Docs a great lightweight PDF editor. Use its collaboration features to work with others on PDF projects!
