“Microsoft Word 2013 can open and edit PDF files”

Microsoft is said to have added the ability to read and edit PDF files in Word in the upcoming release of Office 2013. The current Office versions do not go beyond exporting to PDF.

The Liveside website says it has heard from sources that Word 2013, part of the Office 2013 package, can import PDF files. PDFs are converted by the word processor to a Word document after which the content can be edited. While the conversion process from PDF to Word format would not always run smoothly, PDF files containing mostly text would yield good results.

In addition to the possibilities to open and edit PDF files, Microsoft would also like to introduce a PDF viewer in Office 2013. This would automatically flow text across multiple columns to improve on-screen readability. Bookmarks could also be placed in the text.

Until now, the options for Office users with regard to PDF files were limited: the office suite could, with or without a plug-in, export Office files to PDF format, but import was not possible. Office 2013 now seems to get rid of these limitations. As soon as the public beta becomes available, the functionality can be tested; According to the latest rumors, Microsoft would like to release the test version this week.