Bluebeam Revu can export a PDF to a Microsoft Word document directly, which is handy when you need to edit specifications, reports or text-heavy pages. Drawings and plans don’t convert to Word well, so the right method depends on what’s in the PDF. This guide covers exporting from Revu, running OCR on scanned pages first, keeping markups, alternatives if you don’t have Revu, and how to get the cleanest result.
Quick Answer
In Bluebeam Revu, open the PDF and choose File > Export > Word Document (in some versions, File > Export > Word > Entire Document). Choose a location and click Save.
Step 1: Check What Kind of PDF You Have
- Text PDF (created from Word or another program): converts well.
- Scanned PDF (an image of pages): run OCR first, or Word gets pictures instead of text.
- Drawings and plans: vector linework becomes many shapes or images; Word isn’t built for this.
Try selecting text with the Select tool. If you can highlight individual words, it’s a text PDF.
Step 2 (Scanned PDFs): Run OCR
- In Revu, go to Document > OCR (available in editions that include OCR).
- Choose the pages and language, and click OK.
- Save the PDF, then export.
Step 3: Export to Word
- Choose File > Export > Word Document.
- Pick Entire Document or a page range if asked.
- Name the file and click Save. Revu creates a .docx file.
- Open it in Word and check layout, tables and fonts.
Menu wording varies slightly between Revu versions; look under the Export menu if you don’t see these exact labels.
Keep Markups in the Word File
Comments, clouds and text boxes are annotations, which may not export. To keep them visible, flatten them first: Document > Flatten (save a copy first, since flattening can’t be undone). Then export. You can also export a markups list with the Markups List tools to Excel or CSV for a log.
Alternatives Without Bluebeam
- Microsoft Word: in Word, choose File > Open and pick the PDF. Word converts it to an editable document. Works best for text PDFs.
- Adobe Acrobat: Export PDF > Microsoft Word, with built-in OCR.
- Online converters: fine for non-confidential files; avoid uploading project documents under NDA.
Better Options for Drawings
- Insert the page into Word as an image: in Revu, File > Export > Image (PNG or JPEG at 200 to 300 DPI), then Insert > Pictures in Word.
- Keep drawings as PDFs and link or attach them to the Word document.
- For editable linework, request the original CAD files.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Word file shows images, not text | Run OCR first |
| Layout is jumbled | Convert smaller page ranges, or copy text only |
| Export option missing | Your Revu edition or version may differ; update Revu or use Word’s PDF open |
| Markups missing | Flatten before exporting |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I convert Word back to PDF in Revu?
Yes. Revu’s plugin for Microsoft Office or File > Create makes PDFs from Word files.
Will fonts match?
If the same fonts are installed, yes. Otherwise Word substitutes similar ones.
Summary
- Check whether the PDF has real text.
- Run OCR on scans.
- File > Export > Word Document in Revu.
- Flatten markups first, and export drawings as images instead.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
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