Common conversions
PDF to Word for editing, PDF to images for sharing, and images to PDF for submitting.
OmniDoc is still under development; this guide describes general methods that work with common Android PDF tools.
PDF to Word
Text-based PDFs convert best. Complex layouts may shift, so check tables and columns afterwards.
Scanned PDFs need OCR
A scanned page is an image. Converting it to editable text requires optical character recognition, whose accuracy depends on scan quality.
PDF to images
Each page becomes an image; choose a resolution that balances clarity and size.
Getting better OCR results
OCR accuracy depends heavily on the scan. Flatten the page, use even lighting without shadows, hold the phone parallel to the paper, and make sure the text is in focus. Higher contrast helps: black text on white paper converts best. If the app lets you choose a language, set it to the document's language so accented letters and scripts like Arabic are recognised correctly.
Fixing layout after conversion
After converting to a word processing format, check headings, tables and lists. Tables are the most fragile element; you may need to rebuild them. Columns sometimes become text boxes. Fonts may be substituted if the originals are not available. Plan a few minutes of tidying for complex documents.
Choosing image formats
When exporting pages as images, PNG keeps text sharp and is good for diagrams and screenshots, while JPEG produces smaller files for photos. WebP offers good compression for sharing online. Choose a resolution that suits the purpose: lower for messaging, higher for printing.
Images to PDF for submissions
Many forms ask for documents as a PDF. Take clear photos, crop to the page edge, straighten if needed, then combine them into one PDF in the correct order. Name the file clearly and check the size before uploading.
Keeping originals
Conversion can lose information, so always keep the original PDF. If you need to make changes later, convert again from the original rather than from an already converted copy, which avoids compounding errors.
Converting documents in other languages
Documents in Arabic, Urdu or other right-to-left scripts need extra care. Choose an OCR language that matches the text, and check that the converted document keeps the correct reading direction. Mixed-language pages, such as Arabic with English numbers, may need manual fixes. Proofread names, dates and amounts carefully, since a single wrong digit can matter in official papers.
When not to convert
If you only need to add a signature, fill a field or make a small correction, editing the PDF directly is often simpler than converting to Word and back. Conversion is most worthwhile when you need to reuse or substantially rewrite the content. Choosing the lighter option saves time and avoids layout problems.
Tables and numbers
Financial statements, invoices and schedules contain tables full of numbers. After conversion, compare totals against the original to catch misread digits, and check that columns still line up. If precision matters, consider re-entering key figures by hand rather than trusting OCR completely.
Sharing converted files
Before sending a converted document, decide whether the recipient needs to edit it. If not, export back to PDF so the layout stays fixed on their device.
Images to PDF
Combine photos into a single PDF, crop edges, and order pages before saving.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my converted text jumbled?
The PDF may be scanned or have complex layout.
Is OCR always accurate?
No; check names and numbers.
Which format should I send?
PDF keeps layout consistent for recipients.
Does OCR work with Arabic?
Many OCR tools support Arabic; set the language for best results.
Which image format is best for text?
PNG keeps text sharpest.