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Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

This is off-topic, but I want to know if there is a way to copy and paste a PDF file? I can't save a PDF file onto my hard drive as it ends up looking like hieroglyphics. For my research, it would be great if I could paste parts of PDF documents onto word documents.

Thanks I know there are a lot of very savvy computer people out there for such a simple request as this.

Sinobear · Joined: 24 Aug 2004 Posts: 1269 Location: Purgatory

Download the latest version of Acrobat Reader (from Adobe.com). Make sure that your file associations are set to always open .pdf files with the Acrobat Reader (when you right click on the file's icon, you are presented with an option 'Open With'. Then there is an option to always open this type of file with...).
If you really want to have total control over PDFs, including editing abilities, download a copy of Adobe Acrobat with the writer/distiller (use a P2P program to download a "trial" version).

Good luck!

merlin · Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2005 7:50 am Post subject:

I believe there's a way for the author to disable people from copying a pdf file. But I've never used the pdf authoring software before - I've just heard of this feature.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Sinobear · Joined: 24 Aug 2004 Posts: 1269 Location: Purgatory

Er, hard for me to say - I don't use the Reader as I have the full shebang that allows me to edit, unlock, and produce PDFs. If there's a text tool in the Reader, you should be able to 'highlight' text as per Word and copy-paste into Word. Bear in mind that your system must have the same fonts installed that are used in the document or it will change them to the default arial or other cruddy font.

You can PM me should you have other questions about PDFs and I can be of more (specific) help.

Cheers!

lozwich · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 1536

There is a text tool in Reader, its a big T... You should be able to select that, then highlight the bit you want, copy and paste it into Word. You may have problems with Word trying to be clever and format it for you, but if you do, try pasting it into WordPad or Notepad, and then copy and paste it across from there. Time consuming, but a way to get around Word's particular "idiosyncracies"! Wink

Good luck,
Lozwich.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Thanks guys, something is still wrong. I hit the T button, highlight the text with the box and it still won't allow me to copy. I went to the HELP, highlighted and copied fine there, but when I go back to the pdf file, it won't allow me to copy. Frustrating but I think I will forget about it now.

once again · Joined: 27 Jan 2003 Posts: 815

I have had the same problem...even with the read/write version. I found that a lot of the PDF files I was trying to edit were in fact scanned..and so the only option was to "copy image" and then even when that is in word you cannot select text and quote it!! I suspect that may be what you are trying to do Gordon..and i am having the same problem. Keep us updated on your search for a solution..I for one would love to know how!!

James_T_Kirk · Joined: 20 Sep 2003 Posts: 357 Location: Ten Forward

There probably is a better solution, but you could always use some type of screen-capture tool like the free ScreenHunter to capture a BMP or JPEG image of the PDF document and then paste into your Word document. There are some other programs I found (Easy PDF to Word Converter and Easy PDF to Text Converter) that sound more along the lines of what you are seeking, but I haven't tried them myself, so I have no idea if they are good or not.

Good luck,
Kirk

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Thank you for everyone's help. I have solved the hieroglyphics problem. I wasn't opening with acrobat reader. So half my problem is solved now. About the cut & paste, like I suspected and confirmed by Shmooj, there is nothing you can do if they don't allow you to open the pdf file. At least it isn't my ineptitude (not this time at least) that is preventing me from cutting and pasting. Seems all the files I want to cut (academic journals) are all locked preventing me from editing their file.
Thanks again everyone.

Sinobear · Joined: 24 Aug 2004 Posts: 1269 Location: Purgatory

There's always a way as locking files encode not only the password, but the method of encyption as well. If you're that eager to copy/paste information, try saving the file with a different name. Barring that, download a PDF cracker.

Nothing electronic or digitally encoded is ever safe.

Cheers!

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Just as a matter of interest, what is to stop you taking a screen shot and then passing it through OCR software?

Twisting in the Wind · Joined: 20 Oct 2003 Posts: 571 Location: Purgatory

Didn't read all the responses closely, so sorry if I'm repeating someone else's response.

Posed your question to Mr. Twisting, who says the following:
First, if you want to cut and paste etc. without having the entire Adobe Acrobat program (not just the reader) you must convert the file to text format, doc format with Word Perfect if you have that. There are other file conversion programs but you will need to convert the file first. Windows or MS Office do not give you a built-in program to edit PDF files. The conversion program is in the "SAVE AS" routine in Word Perfect 11 or many other file conversion programs.