Recommendations for PDF Editing Software?

[JorgeA]

Hello,

I'm looking for PDF software that includes the following features:

1) It lets me edit documents (fix typos, delete/add words) directly on the PDF file, rather than having to convert to another format (i.e., Word) and then convert back again to PDF after the edit. All this while maintaining the format of the text (such as right-justification or table alignment).

2) It lets me convert PDF files to MS Word (despite #1 above, I do need to do this sometimes).

3) It lets me select individual pages from the PDF file and create a new PDF containing just those pages.

The first thing I looked at (of course) was Adobe Acrobat, but the descriptions on their website haven't left me completely confident that I can do all of those things with their software. Moreover, I haven't been able to determine whether I would need Acrobat Standard or the (even) pricier Acrobat Professional in order to be able to do all of these things.

Then there is also the question of reliability. If we can believe the reviews on Amazon.com, the current version of Acrobat is prone to crashing or otherwise causing various and sundry problems on one's PC.

So I guess I should amend my question to say that I'm looking for PDF software that will do the above things, reliably. Is there anything out there that meets all of these criteria?

FWIW, I use Windows Vista x64 and Office 2007.

Thanks for any guidance you might offer.

--JorgeA

[BlouBul]

Hi JorgeA,

Nitro PDF is quite a good option for editing files and converting to Word http://www.nitropdf....ional/trial.asp

Just for viewing and small changes, I like PDF Xchange http://www.tracker-s...-xchange-viewer

Both are a lot lighter on resources than Acrobat (and I'm sure you do not want any big add-ins to slow down your Word)

Edited October 6, 2010 by BlouBul

[JorgeA]

Hi JorgeA,

Nitro PDF is quite a good option for editing files and converting to Word http://www.nitropdf....ional/trial.asp

Just for viewing and small changes, I like PDF Xchange http://www.tracker-s...-xchange-viewer

Both are a lot lighter on resources than Acrobat (and I'm sure you do not want any big add-ins to slow down your Word)

Hi BlouBul,

Great to see you here!

Both of these look very attractive. How well have they worked for you, in terms of "playing nice" with Office and your PC generally, the program crashing, problems installing it, updates messing things up, and things like that?

Thanks very much!

--JorgeA

[jaclaz]

Something you might want to have a look at:

http://www.nativewindsofmontana.com/software/tomahawk.html

http://www.nativewindsofmontana.com/software/pdfwizard.html

jaclaz

[JorgeA]

Something you might want to have a look at:

http://www.nativewindsofmontana.com/software/tomahawk.html

http://www.nativewindsofmontana.com/software/pdfwizard.html

jaclaz

Hey jaclaz,

You have just doubled the amount of research I have to do -- but that's welcome!

In the initial look-through I did see that PDFWizard is supposed to work on Windows 98. Not that I need that capability, but still it's good that they offer it...

Thanks for letting me know about these.

--JorgeA

[BlouBul]

How well have they worked for you, in terms of "playing nice" with Office and your PC generally, the program crashing, problems installing it, updates messing things up, and things like that?

No issues with either (that's why I recommended them )

Well you got 4 options now (I also do not think you will have issues with the other two (since it was suggested by jaclaz)).

Why don't you see which looks the best (based on specs and/or price/availability) and download the trial and see if it works. I personally think Nitro is good for editing and converting (but haven't tried the other two yet)

[JorgeA]

How well have they worked for you, in terms of "playing nice" with Office and your PC generally, the program crashing, problems installing it, updates messing things up, and things like that?

No issues with either (that's why I recommended them )

Well you got 4 options now (I also do not think you will have issues with the other two (since it was suggested by jaclaz)).

Why don't you see which looks the best (based on specs and/or price/availability) and download the trial and see if it works. I personally think Nitro is good for editing and converting (but haven't tried the other two yet)

BlouBul,

I'll definitely do that. In the next few days I'll be having to select out pages from a PDF, so it will be a good opportunity to try out at least one of these packages.

Thanks for the recommendation!

--JorgeA

[jaclaz]

For simply splitting/combining pages, check this also:

http://www.pdflabs.com/tools/pdftk-the-pdf-toolkit/

And everything here may also interest you:

http://www.paehl.de/pdf/

(which include a GUI for PDFTK):

http://www.paehl.de/pdf/gui_pdftk.html

Though personally I find this one more handy:

http://angusj.com/pdftkb/

And yes, if you are not fast enough in making a decision I'll probably increase the amount of your research by tenfold

jaclaz

[JorgeA]

And yes, if you are not fast enough in making a decision I'll probably increase the amount of your research by tenfold

jaclaz

jaclaz,

Wow, thanks very much! Now you know what I'll be doing this weekend...

I had no idea there was such a wide choice in PDF software. Before this week I had thought it was Adobe (yuck) and just a couple of minor competitors.

Gratefully,

--JorgeA