Free File Conversion
If you’re anything like me, the question of free file conversion on the Internet is something I’ve been searching for a good solution to for so long now. Along the way I’ve found tools that have looked good, but ultimately been a long way off ideal, it’s like searching for the Holy Grail – where the only real way has been to pay for specific software to achieve this, until now!
The thing that has really driven me to search and search in this area is specifically converting Adobe PDF files into an editable file such as a Microsoft Word file – this was something that got asked of me so much at work in the past year.
The main example I have is that of job application forms which you couldn’t fill in electronically without an awful lot of effort in re-creating text boxes etc. in a word document then you had to print it onto a printout from the PDR file – it was all very complicated – you probably deserved to get the job just on that basis!
However, I’ve now found a site called Zamzar which is a free file conversion website that can convert files into literally hundreds of different types and the resulting file, certainly in the ones that I’ve tested ends up being a very usable reproduction.
Zamzar is much better than other free file conversion services that I’ve tried, especially in terms of .pdf to .doc files since it maintains layouts, textboxes etc. Give it a go and let us know what you think, or if you know of a better service, then please feel free to share that with us!
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Comment by Phil Benwell on 25 February 2008:
Top find. I actually paid for a utility to do this only a month or so ago. It just so happens I’ve misplaced the download link and have re-formatted the PC so will give Zamzar a visit.
Comment by Luis on 26 February 2008:
Looks nice, but every site that require me to enter my email address every time I use it, makes me nervous. Plus, pop up items went over my pop up blocker which means the site is very intrusive. Have you heard of Movavi, it helps with video conversions and it’s free, it also ask you for your email every time for delivery but lacks the intrusiveness of the pop ups. Good post man! Keep it up. Luis
Comment by Smackall on 26 February 2008:
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Comment by Cesar on 26 February 2008:
That’s really a useful websites. I often need to convert my files too and I mostly use a software. Thanks for sharing.
Comment by TN on 26 February 2008:
I can see where this would be valuable for casual and non-important files, or things like video/image conversion. Definitely not something I’d use to convert work documents or anything with personal information.
Lots of options for conversion though, could be a very useful site. Thanks for the link!
Comment by Steve Elliott on 28 February 2008:
I’ve been looking for something like this for ages.
I’d written an eBook in Word but wanted to publish it to the web as a PDF. I did find an online coverter (? not sure if I should post the link here, so wont!) but it was far from perfect.
This is just the job, thanks.
Comment by Mark from Bloglyne on 28 February 2008:
great find Zath! This has really been a huge issue for me in the past year - I appreciate the notice.
Comment by Shashank on 29 February 2008:
That is a pretty useful website..thanks for the heads up
Comment by Zath on 4 March 2008:
Thanks guys, I’m glad you’re finding it of some value, obviously it won’t always be the perfect answer to every situation, but it’s certainly worth a try I think.
@Steve - If you often need to convert Word docs to PDF, you can use a program called PDF Creator - I’ve written about this in the past on my site if you want to know more.
Comment by Jane Barkley on 19 May 2008:
I have used Zamzar many times successfully but today I want to open a spreadsheet file with the extension .xlr and zamzar can’t handle it, anyone an idea what other converting software would cope with this file?