PBB - Converting pdf and epub to docx

Many public domain documents are in pdf format, and must be converted to docx before making a Logos PBB resource.

I have found that the AVS document converter does this pretty well, and it is pretty cheap. It will convert between pdf, epub, docx, html and other formats. So you can download a pdf or epub public domain book, and convert to docx in one step.

I have no interest in promoting AVS or any other software, but I found this helpful and thought I would mention it. Works for me.

Of course once the document is converted you have some work to do in preparing it - depending on the type of resource.

Again, AVS Document Converter is not free, but it is very reasonable. I bought it some time back because it has lots of uses.

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Comments

Lee Herbst

Calibre is free. It is an eBook library manager and it has a lot of conversion tools. It can't convert to docx, but it can convert to rtf (which Word reads) and that works for me. Just another option for those looking to convert eBooks.

Brother Mark

Calibre is free. It is an eBook library manager and it has a lot of conversion tools. It can't convert to docx, but it can convert to rtf (which Word reads) and that works for me. Just another option for those looking to convert eBooks.

[Y] I totally agree that Calibre is wonderful. Probably the most comprehensive document conversion tool out there. Since its free, the price is PERFECT!

Bohuslav Wojnar

Calibre is great, better IMHO than AVS software (I just tried that one). The best conversion from pdf is done by Adobe Acrobat and Nitro. However non of those tools does it really well. Footers and Headers are not recognized and footnotes are not converted to docx footnotes. Headings are also not recognized to create a structure of the document in docx file. You have to do all those things manually. If somebody would find a conversion tool that does all of those things, that would be a real help in creating PBBs from pdf files.

Stephen Chaffer

Hi, I use a OCR program to convert pdf (or pic files); it does not place the foot-End-notes at the bottom of each page, so one has to go through them in WORD to make (docx). for the mac there is a program called TUFO IS FREE [it also allows you to open password protected PDF], this open the PDF and you can copy paste into WORD (paste as text only (don't use the formet paste).

If someone whats their doc files changed to docx, I'd be able to do that conversion for you [this is me opening and saving the files only].

gigiwill

There’s a
easy and free way, just go to docs.google.com, click the upload button to
upload your pdf file. Remember to check the option "Convert text from PDF
or image files to Google Docs documents " before you click the “start upload” button.
After the upload is done you can find the converted file on your Google
Docs, now copy the texts to an empty word file, done! With this method you can
also convert pdf to ppt if you copy the converted tsts to your empty ppt file.

Or you can simply use a PDF to
word converter which will save you a lot of time and trouble. Oh and If you’re
using mac there should be a different tool. To find out how to convert pdf to
word for mac you can also go to adobe’s website to ask for help.

Mike Childs

There’s a easy and free way, just go to docs.google.com, click the upload button to upload your pdf file. Remember to check the option "Convert text from PDF or image files to Google Docs documents " before you click the “start upload” button

But this does not solve the footnotes problem. There are dozens of easy conversions, but I know of none that converts the footnotes to Word doc footnotes. Any body found one that does?

Room4more

There’s a easy and free way, just go to docs.google.com, click the upload button to upload your pdf file. Remember to check the option "Convert text from PDF or image files to Google Docs documents " before you click the “start upload” button

But this does not solve the footnotes problem. There are dozens of easy conversions, but I know of none that converts the footnotes to Word doc footnotes. Any body found one that does?

And you probably won’t either. Just consider how the footnotes are added to the word doc, you need to do them. U can convert a doc to pdf but then u loose the connection that was created in the doc. Unfortunately that connection is not restored once u convert to a word doc.

U can however, copy/paste the text from the pdf to word and have the link………

NetworkGeek

I really think a Word macro to create true footnotes from a converted PDF is quite possible, I just haven't gotten time to play much with it. Rosie did a post on a similar thought. In short it would:

-search for the next numerical footnote in the next (matching the superscript/format used in that document; this would need to be edited from document to document but not a big deal)

-once found - mark location - find that formatted number at end of document. Select all text to end of that section (or could be to select up to next superscripted number matching footnote format, etc.) - cut that text and the footnote number

- go back to the marked location - delete the footnote text, add a true endnote or footnote, then paste the text back in. Proceed to beginning until there are no more footnotes to process.

Maybe Steve can work on this, he is a macro guru? [8-|]

Alen

You can try out some online resources if you do not want to install additional applications on your PC.

From interesting:

convertonlinefree.com

go4convert.com

Tes

Many public domain documents are in pdf format, and must be converted to docx before making a Logos PBB resource.

I have found that the AVS document converter does this pretty well, and it is pretty cheap. It will convert between pdf, epub, docx, html and other formats. So you can download a pdf or epub public domain book, and convert to docx in one step.

I have no interest in promoting AVS or any other software, but I found this helpful and thought I would mention it. Works for me.

Of course once the document is converted you have some work to do in preparing it - depending on the type of resource.

Again, AVS Document Converter is not free, but it is very reasonable. I bought it some time back because it has lots of uses.

HI, Michael, before buying it, to know whether it works with the link I have shown here, could you please try this and post it in a screenshot? (From Romans)http://www.biblica.com/bibles/amharic/

Rusty Davidson

Microsoft Word 2013 has an automatic pdf converter so that you open a pdf and save as docx. I have been using the preview version for several days and it does a good job. Seems to be faster than Adobe"s OCR technology and some of the online versions (including Nuance, which used to be my favorite.) It seems to be much more accurate as well. Naturally, like all converters in has its flaws, but seems to be something Microsoft has actually done fairly well for a change. You can find Office 2013 in a preview version for now, but they have not released pricing or date of full release yet.

Mike Childs

Many public domain documents are in pdf format, and must be converted to docx before making a Logos PBB resource.

I have found that the AVS document converter does this pretty well, and it is pretty cheap. It will convert between pdf, epub, docx, html and other formats. So you can download a pdf or epub public domain book, and convert to docx in one step.

I have no interest in promoting AVS or any other software, but I found this helpful and thought I would mention it. Works for me.

Of course once the document is converted you have some work to do in preparing it - depending on the type of resource.

Again, AVS Document Converter is not free, but it is very reasonable. I bought it some time back because it has lots of uses.

HI, Michael, before buying it, to know whether it works with the link I have shown here, could you please try this and post it in a screenshot? (From Romans)http://www.biblica.com/bibles/amharic/

Tess, yes I will try several programs including AVS, and post results. Just got home tonight from a conference all this week. It will be Monday before I can do it.

Tes

Many public domain documents are in pdf format, and must be converted to docx before making a Logos PBB resource.

I have found that the AVS document converter does this pretty well, and it is pretty cheap. It will convert between pdf, epub, docx, html and other formats. So you can download a pdf or epub public domain book, and convert to docx in one step.

I have no interest in promoting AVS or any other software, but I found this helpful and thought I would mention it. Works for me.

Of course once the document is converted you have some work to do in preparing it - depending on the type of resource.

Again, AVS Document Converter is not free, but it is very reasonable. I bought it some time back because it has lots of uses.

HI, Michael, before buying it, to know whether it works with the link I have shown here, could you please try this and post it in a screenshot? (From Romans)http://www.biblica.com/bibles/amharic/

Tess, yes I will try several programs including AVS, and post results. Just got home tonight from a conference all this week. It will be Monday before I can do it.

Thank you Michael.I am looking forward.

Mike Childs

Tes,

I tried with AVS, Calibre, and a few other programs. However, I got none that could convert that pdf and preserve the language or scrpt. It all came out jibberish. I think a big part of the problem is that I do not have a Windows font for that language or alphabet.

I regret that I was no help to you.

Bohuslav Wojnar

Microsoft Word 2013 has an automatic pdf converter so that you open a pdf and save as docx. I have been using the preview version for several days and it does a good job. Seems to be faster than Adobe"s OCR technology and some of the online versions (including Nuance, which used to be my favorite.) It seems to be much more accurate as well. Naturally, like all converters in has its flaws, but seems to be something Microsoft has actually done fairly well for a change. You can find Office 2013 in a preview version for now, but they have not released pricing or date of full release yet.

Yes, I also tried many converters (Adobe, Nitro, Calibre, AVS, etc. etc.) with not good results. I installed MS Office 2013 Preview version and it's converting ability from pdf to docx is very promising. Especially those pdf that have been saved from docx by MS Word are converted very well.

Mike Childs

I installed MS Office 2013 Preview version and it's converting ability from pdf to docx is very promising. Especially those pdf that have been saved from docx by MS Word are converted very well.

Sounds like wonderful news. I am going to give it a try as well.

Danny Parker

Word 2013 appears to create appropriate footnotes from a PDF. It worked on the free ebook Story of God Philippians. I have not done extensive research on it, but it looks like it did everything properly.

Danny Parker

Second book did not convert footnotes properly (Sermon on the Mount Story of God). Don't have time right now to research why there is a difference, but it did not work on the second book.

Scott

This is not to disparage the kind and helpful people in this thread offering workable solutions (thank you!), but like virtually everything else about this software, this seems like a ridiculously cumbersome thing to have to do. The "P" in "PDF" means "portable." Logos should just provide the ability to upload a PDF so it can be read in the software. What would be so difficult about that? I get that it would not be able to take advantage of some Logos functionality with the book, but I'd be OK with that. They can still allow all the convoluted mess described above to import fully functioning books, but forcing me to have to recreate and reformat a document from PDF to DOCX just to read it? Not exactly user friendly.

So much about this software is a user experience nightmare (like requiring obscure code to search for text across your library highlighted with a specific highlight style). It's a real shame they can't figure out a way to create a better user experience since the resources are so spectacular.

MJ. Smith

What would be so difficult about that?

A great deal - have you ever tried to process a proprietary format document?

Logos developed personal books as a means of users including their own works in the software and intended to build a PB bookstore based on that assumption. It was not designed as a means of importing books from other sources - we just decided to use it as such.

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

The "P" in "PDF" means "portable."

Portability works well for printing. Document format allows text and/or images to be in file. Images of text can humanly be read, but need conversion to digital text for use in Logos, which includes highlighting and searching. Image conversion provides opportunities for many discussions.

Thankful can include images in personal books (avoid "tight" formatting around image in Word).

... but forcing me to have to recreate and reformat a document from PDF to DOCX just to read it? Not exactly user friendly.

Creating and modifying docx file(s) for personal book(s) can be labor intensive, but also allows tagging to be added. Thankful for forum discussions, which include => Power Tip: Using variables to Search and Replace in Word and => Unpointed Hebrew Masoretic Text Personal Book

It's a real shame they can't figure out a way to create a better user experience since the resources are so spectacular.

Suggestion is creating new thread(s) to discuss user experience issue(s); ideally one issue per thread with what is frustrating about current implementation plus any idea(s) about what could be better.

Anticipate some discussions will result in Logos User Voice suggestion references and new ones => https://logos.uservoice.com/forums/42823-logos-bible-software-7

Every Logos and Verbum user has 10 votes with the option to place up to three on one suggestion.

Suggestion Implement PDF import for PBB was declined

We do not currently plan to implement PDF import, but instead recommend the use of a PDF to Word converter (there are many available, and the forums are a good place to ask for suggestions).

You can also add your votes to this open case for PDF support: http://logos.uservoice.com/forums/42823-logos-bible-software-5/suggestions/1096505-pdf-docx-files

Suggestion PDF, docx files has been completed

Personal Book Builder can convert docx files into Logos books.

We will not be adding PDF import/conversion. There are many commercial programs available that can convert PDF to docx (which can then be imported using Personal Book Builder). Discussions of these programs (as they relate to PBB can be found in our forums: https://community.logos.com/forums/

For highlighting, personally prefer visual filters whose search results have my desired highlighting. Current implementation of highlighting words has textual fragments in Note document(s), which is unattractive for searching since word(s) are missing.

Keep Smiling [:)]

Bernhard

This is not to disparage the kind and helpful people in this thread offering workable solutions (thank you!), but like virtually everything else about this software, this seems like a ridiculously cumbersome thing to have to do. The "P" in "PDF" means "portable." Logos should just provide the ability to upload a PDF so it can be read in the software. What would be so difficult about that? I get that it would not be able to take advantage of some Logos functionality with the book, but I'd be OK with that. They can still allow all the convoluted mess described above to import fully functioning books, but forcing me to have to recreate and reformat a document from PDF to DOCX just to read it? Not exactly user friendly.

So much about this software is a user experience nightmare (like requiring obscure code to search for text across your library highlighted with a specific highlight style). It's a real shame they can't figure out a way to create a better user experience since the resources are so spectacular.

I think if you see the whole picture, it is a wise decision on Faithlife's part to not allow import of PDF. Some of the criticism comes from people not really understanding what PDFs are (and what they are not). PDF is a format to recreate on the screen exactly what you would see in printed format. It looks exactly the same on any device you open it with. It is also a good format to print from. But it is not a good format, if you want to do anything more than just read the page as is.

Logos could implement PDF support in two ways:

The easy way would for it to be just a viewer with very basic functionality, but not automatic tagging of Bible references or any of the options in the right-click menu. The text would not re-flow, so you would need to reserve a lot of your screen space to the pane showing the PDF (as most of those are in A4 or Letter format). I am not sure where this would be better than to store links to your PDFs under Favorites and open them from there in your normal PDF reader program.

The second way would be to try to actually process the content of the PDFs and allow for text re-flow, look-ups etc.I think that would be a support nightmare and we would have daily questions here in the forum: "Why does this not work with my PDF?"

A few of the issues that would come up:

Lots and lots of formatting/layout issues, columns that run into each other, page numbers in the middle of the text, font issues, especially with non-Latin scripts, etc.
PDFs that are scans of books where the text is actually just a picture, now way for Logos to process that
PDFs that are scanned, but have a text layer in addition to the image. Which one should Logos show? The text layer only would probably show very bad formatting. In most cases there are also many mistakes in the text (OCR) layer, which you usually don't notice just looking at the PDF
people trying to open PDFs that are protected by DRM

Just try to open a few PDFs in MS Word (directly possible from Word 2013, I think). Whatever you see there is probably what an implementation in Logos would look like. If you like what you see, which will be the case for some PDFs, why not just click "Save as", chose .docx and then import that as a PB in Logos? It's only one additional step.

If you don't like what you see, the file needs manual work - it's almost impossible to do that work in an automated way. And where better to do that kind of work, than in a program like MS Word?

What would be so difficult about that?

A lot, actually, as I have shown above.