Word can open a PDF by converting a copy, while a browser converter can create a DOCX before editing. Smallpdf's guide notes that mostly textual documents generally convert more cleanly than files with complex graphics, forms or footnotes. Scans may need OCR.

Choose a PDF-to-Word Route Around Document Complexity

Keep the original PDF and compare the converted layout before editing. The goal is usable content in an editable format, so review page structure and important details instead of assuming successful conversion means exact visual preservation.