How to Use GiliSoft Formathor on Windows
Convert a document, prepare a PDF, create an eBook, or extract text from an image. Choose a task below for its workspace, settings, illustrated steps, and output checks.
Convert PDF to Word or Another File Type
Use PDF to File when the next task needs content outside a PDF. Follow the Word example below, or choose another destination offered by the task's Type and Format controls.
Open PDF to File
Open GiliSoft Formathor, choose PDF Tools, and select PDF to File. Use this direction to turn a PDF into a reusable file; File to PDF is the separate reverse task. The example below creates a Word editing copy.
Some screenshots use an earlier top-tab arrangement. Follow the tool family and task names shown by your installed version.
Add the source PDF
Use Add Files, Click Here, or Drag and Drop to add a representative PDF. Confirm that it is the intended readable source, and keep the original unchanged. If it needs a password, make the document accessible before conversion.
Start with a file containing the tables, images, or page layout that matter in your workload. For image-only text, use OCR or TextLayer PDF according to the result you need.
Choose Word, DOCX, and the output folder
Set Type to Word and Format to .docx for the illustrated PDF-to-Word task. Choose a separate Output folder and click Convert once the source is ready. Wait for processing to finish before opening or moving the output.
Type chooses the destination family; Format chooses its available file format. The output-folder field is labeled Output in this screen and Directory in some earlier screens.
Open the result and check the layout
Open the saved DOCX in Word or another DOCX-capable application. Compare paragraphs, headings, tables, fonts, pictures, and page breaks with the PDF. If the test is suitable, process other compatible PDFs with the same settings and check representative outputs.
Batch conversion processes multiple inputs; it does not automatically combine them into one document. Use Merge PDF when a single combined PDF is the goal.
Create a PDF from Documents or Images
- Open File to PDF and add sources
Choose PDF Tools > File to PDF. Use Add Files or drag sources accepted by that task into its input area.
- Choose the output and PDF options
Set the Output folder. Review Watermark Settings: choose No Watermark, or Custom > Edit when adding one. Review Image-Only PDF separately when deciding the required page structure.
- Convert and check the document
Select Convert, then open the resulting PDF. Compare fonts, tables, pictures, page order, and readability with the sources. Image-only pages differ from a PDF carrying selectable text.
Merge, Compress, Split, Search, and Edit PDFs
Merge PDF Files
- Load the PDFs in reading order
Choose PDF Tools > Merge PDF and add the documents. Review their order so the cover, main text, and appendices are arranged correctly.
- Set the merged output
Choose Output and an Output file name. Review Unify page width when sources use different page sizes.
- Merge and inspect the boundaries
Select Merge and open the saved PDF. Check the page count, reading order, and each boundary between source documents.
Reduce PDF File Size
- Open Compress PDF and add a source
Choose Compress PDF under PDF Tools and load the PDF to reduce.
- Choose the preset and destination
Select an available Compression preset and set Output. The screenshot's Medium selection is an example.
- Compress and compare size with readability
Select Compress, then check the actual output size, small text, and embedded images. Test a stronger setting on a copy only if more reduction is needed.
Split a PDF into Separate Files
- Open Split PDF and add the document
Select PDF Tools > Split PDF and add the source PDF.
- Choose the grouping and output
Review the split settings offered after loading the source and choose the Output folder. Set the grouping required for the separate documents.
- Split and verify the files
Select Split. Open the resulting files and confirm their page contents and order before delivery.
Make a Scanned PDF Searchable
- Open TextLayer PDF
Select PDF Tools > TextLayer PDF and add the image-based PDF.
- Choose the output and process
Select a separate Output folder and choose Convert to create a PDF with recognized text.
- Test search and selection
Open the new PDF, search for a known word, and try selecting a sentence. Check names and numbers against the page image. A text layer does not guarantee a fully reconstructed Word-style layout.
Edit an Existing PDF
- Enter the PDF editing workspace
Choose PDF Tools > Edit PDF and select Edit Now in its feature-entry panel.
- Open the document and make the change
In the editor that opens, load the PDF and use its content, page, form, or comment controls for the intended change. This is a separate workspace from the conversion queue.
- Save a new copy and check it
Use the editor's save controls to write a separate PDF. Reopen it and check the edited content, pages, and layout before sharing.
Add or Remove a PDF Opening Password
Password-Protect a PDF
- Open Encrypt PDF
Choose PDF Tools > Encrypt PDF and add the document to protect.
- Enter the password and output location
Enter the Password in the task's presets and choose a separate Output folder.
- Encrypt and test the saved copy
Select Encrypt. Reopen the output and confirm it requires the intended password. Keep the password separately from the file when sending it.
Remove a Known PDF Password
- Open Decrypt PDF and add the source
Choose PDF Tools > Decrypt PDF for a document you can open and whose current password you know. Add the protected PDF and supply the source password if requested.
- Choose the output and decrypt
Set a separate Output folder and run the Decrypt operation.
- Check the unprotected copy
Open the new file and verify its access behavior and required pages. Keep the original protected copy if still needed; this task is not forgotten-password recovery.
Convert and Organize PowerPoint Presentations
Open PPT Tools and choose the action for the deck. The task selector separates file conversion, presentation creation, merging, splitting, video, and protection.
Convert a PowerPoint File
- Choose PPT to File and add the deck
Open PPT Tools > PPT to File and use Add Files or drag a presentation into the source area.
- Set the destination format
Select the available Type and Format, then choose Output. The illustrated example uses Word and .docx.
- Convert and inspect the destination file
Select Convert and open the result in its target application. Check text flow, slide or page order, pictures, tables, and any structure important to the task.
Create a PowerPoint Presentation
- Open File to PPT
Choose PPT Tools > File to PPT and add a source that this task accepts.
- Choose the presentation output
Select Output and review any available options for the loaded source. Keep the original file unchanged.
- Convert and review the slides
Select Convert and open the presentation. Check slide dimensions, reading order, fonts, charts, and images; fixed-layout input does not imply reconstruction of its original animations or every editable object.
Merge PowerPoint Presentations
- Load the presentations in order
Choose PPT Tools > Merge PPT. Add the decks in the intended sequence and review the inputs before merging.
- Set the combined deck's name and folder
Choose Output and enter an Output file name distinct from the originals.
- Merge and check the slide sequence
Select Merge, open the saved presentation, and inspect slide order and the boundaries between source decks.
Use Split PPT when dividing a deck, and review its grouping options after adding the source. PPT to Video, Encrypt PPT, and Decrypt PPT have their own settings; verify playback or access in the resulting output.
Convert Word Documents and Prepare Audio
Convert a Word Document
- Open Word to File and add the document
Choose Word Tools > Word to File and add the Word source.
- Set Type, Format, and Output
Select the destination Type and Format offered by the task and choose Output. The screenshot shows PowerPoint and .pptx as one example.
- Convert and check the result
Select Convert and open the saved file in the intended application. Review text, tables, fonts, images, and reading order.
Create a Word Editing Copy
- Open File to Word
Select Word Tools > File to Word and add a source accepted by that task.
- Choose the destination and convert
Set Output, review available settings for the loaded source, and choose Convert.
- Review the document before editing
Open the saved Word file and check paragraphs, headings, tables, page breaks, and picture positions before using it as an editing copy.
Turn Document Text into Audio
- Add the document to Word to Audio
Choose Word Tools > Word to Audio and load the document. Review the wording and reading order of content intended for speech.
- Review the loaded task's output choices
Continue with the audio output options presented after loading the source. Choose the available settings and destination for the result, then run the operation.
- Listen to the saved output
Open the generated audio and check the full reading, including headings, names, numbers, sentence breaks, and table content. The document's visual arrangement alone does not verify spoken order.
Convert eBooks and Create EPUB Output
Convert an eBook to PDF or Another Format
- Open Ebook to File and add the source
Choose Ebook Tools > Ebook to File and add an eBook accepted by this task.
- Set Format and Output
Choose the offered Format, such as the illustrated .pdf, and select a separate Output folder.
- Convert and check the book
Select Convert and open the saved result in the intended reader. Check chapters, text flow, page or section breaks, and images.
Create an EPUB eBook
- Open File to Ebook
Choose Ebook Tools > File to Ebook and add a source accepted by the selected task.
- Select EPUB and the output folder
Choose .epub from the available Format options and set Output.
- Convert and test in a reader
Select Convert, open the EPUB in the reader you plan to use, and inspect text flow, chapters, headings, and pictures.
These are file-conversion workflows, not eBook DRM removal. Use an accessible source and keep it alongside the checked output.
Recognize Text and Convert Images
Extract Text with OCR
- Choose the recognition task
Open OCR Tools. Use Image Quick Recognition for an image, Snapshot Recognition for a capture, or Batch Recognition for a set. Add or capture the source as required.
- Set language, format, and destination
Choose Language, Export format, and Output. The example uses English and .txt; choose the options needed for your material.
- Export and proofread the text
Select Export and open the saved output. Check names, numbers, decimal points, identifiers, unusual characters, and column order against the source.
Use TextLayer PDF when the required result is a searchable PDF retaining page images rather than a separate recognized-text file.
Convert Images
- Open Picture Tools and load an image
Choose Picture Tools > Common Conversion and add the source files. Start with one representative image before processing a larger set.
- Review the conversion settings and output
Review the options offered for the loaded files, the Color Space setting, and the Output folder. Keep the originals separate from the new files.
- Convert and inspect the saved images
Select Convert and check the resulting file type, dimensions, orientation, and color in an image viewer. Inspect representative outputs before using the same choices for a batch.
Picture Tools also lists Image Compression, Raw Conversion, Heic Conversion, Image To PDF, and batch resize, crop, rename, and rotation tasks. Select the specific operation before reviewing its settings; Common Conversion presets do not apply to every other image task.
Troubleshoot and Check the Finished Output
The Operation Button Is Unavailable
Check that a supported source is loaded in the selected task. Review its output settings and destination before retrying. A task selected in an empty workspace is not ready to process a file.
The Layout Changed
Compare fonts, page sizes, text boxes, tables, and image placement in the destination application. Test another suitable output option and keep the original when exact appearance matters.
Scanned Text Is Not Editable
Check whether the page is an image. Use OCR for recognized text or TextLayer PDF for search, and proofread the result instead of expecting ordinary conversion alone to identify every character.
A Merged File Has the Wrong Order
Review the source order and output name before merging again. Check slide order for PPT and mixed page sizes or Unify page width for PDF.
A Source or Output Cannot Be Opened
Verify the selected source task, readable input, password access, writable destination, and available disk space. Try one known-good source to narrow down the failing stage.
A Batch Has Inconsistent Results
Separate scanned and text-based sources or files with different structures. Check representative outputs and avoid applying one conversion choice blindly to a mixed collection.
Before delivery, confirm the expected file count, format, output folder, content order, readable text, acceptable layout, and any requested compression or protection. Preserve originals until all required checks are complete.
GiliSoft Formathor FAQ
How do I convert a PDF to Word with Formathor?
Open PDF Tools > PDF to File and add the PDF. Set Type to Word, choose .docx under Format, select an Output folder, and click Convert. Open the result in Word or another DOCX-capable application and check text flow, tables, fonts, and page breaks.
Can I convert several files at once?
Use Add Files or drag compatible sources into the selected task, then review the output settings before processing. Test one representative file first and separate jobs that require different source families or destinations. Batch conversion does not automatically mean that the files are combined; use Merge PDF or Merge PPT when you want one combined output.
Why is text from a scanned PDF not editable?
A scanned page may contain a picture of text rather than selectable characters. Use OCR Tools for recognized text output, or TextLayer PDF for a searchable PDF. Choose the appropriate recognition language where offered and proofread the result; a searchable text layer is not the same as a perfectly reconstructed Word layout.
Why does the converted layout look different?
The destination format may handle fonts, text boxes, tables, page breaks, and images differently from the source. Compare a representative result in the application that will open it, adjust the conversion choice when needed, and keep the original. Do not assume that slides, formulas, animations, or every layout detail will remain editable in another format.
Should I use File to PDF, Merge PDF, or TextLayer PDF?
Use File to PDF to create PDFs from accepted source formats. Use Merge PDF to combine existing PDFs, reviewing their order and the output file name. Use TextLayer PDF when image-based pages need searchable text. These are different operations; choose the result you actually need.
Why is the compressed PDF still large?
Image-heavy pages and already-compressed content can limit further reduction. Try the available compression presets on a copy, then compare file size with readable text and clear images. Keep the setting that meets the delivery need rather than assuming the strongest compression is always best.
Can I convert eBooks to PDF or create EPUB files?
The Ebook to File screen shows a PDF output option, and File to Ebook shows EPUB. Add a source accepted by the selected task, choose the available format and Output folder, and select Convert. Open the result in the intended reader and check chapters, text flow, and images; this workflow is not an eBook DRM-removal tool.
How do I edit a PDF instead of converting it?
Select PDF Tools > Edit PDF and choose Edit Now to enter the editing workspace. Make the required changes there, save a separate copy with that editor's controls, and reopen the PDF to verify the result. Use conversion tasks when you need a different file format rather than changes inside the existing PDF.
Is GiliSoft Formathor free?
A Windows trial download is available; check the installed version for its current conversion, export, and feature limits. The Buy Now buttons in this guide show the $39.95 lifetime license for 1 PC and link to the official Formathor purchase page.
More Formathor Guides by Task
See the GiliSoft Formathor product page for the feature overview, or continue with a focused conversion and document-preparation guide.
