Convert PDF to Word using n8n action

PDF4me Convert PDF to Word transforms PDF documents into fully editable Word files through n8n automation workflows. Process PDFs via n8n triggers, binary data, base64 strings, or public URLs to generate DOCX files with intelligent paragraph detection, preserved formatting, extracted text and images, table structure retention, OCR support for scanned documents, and editable content layers. This solution is ideal for document editing, content repurposing, template creation, contract modification, proposal editing, and automated Word generation workflows that require accurate PDF conversion with professional formatting and seamless integration.

Setup

Add the PDF4me "Convert PDF to Word" node to your n8n workflow and configure the required parameters. For initial setup instructions, see our n8n Integration Guide.

Prerequisites:

• PDF4me API credentials
• n8n workflow access

Get Your API Key

Configuration:

1. Add PDF4me node to workflow
2. Select "Convert PDF to Word" action
3. Configure input parameters (see below)

Parameters

Complete list of parameters for the Convert PDF to Word action. Configure these parameters to control PDF to Word conversion.

Important: Parameters marked with an asterisk (***) are required and must be provided for the action to function correctly.

Parameter	Type	Description	Example
Input Data Type***	String	PDF Input Format Selection • Choose the format of your PDF data input • PDF4me supports multiple input types • Options: Binary Data, Base64 String, or URL	Binary Data
Input Binary Field	Binary	Binary PDF File Input (Required if Binary Data) • Reference PDF file from previous n8n node or file upload • PDF4me processes binary PDF files with automatic format detection • Required when Input Data Type is "Binary Data"	{{ $binary.data }}
Base64 Document Content	String	Base64 Encoded PDF Input (Required if Base64 String) • Provide PDF data as base64 encoded string • PDF4me automatically decodes and processes the PDF content • Required when Input Data Type is "Base64 String"	UEsDBBQABgAI...
File URL	String	Public PDF URL Input (Required if URL) • Provide a public/open permission URL to the PDF file • PDF4me downloads and processes the file from URL • Required when Input Data Type is "URL"	https://abc.com/sample.pdf
Quality Type***	Enum	Conversion Quality Setting • Choose the quality level for PDF to Word conversion • Draft: Fast, 1 API call per file (simple PDFs) • High: Accurate, 2 API calls per page (complex/scanned PDFs) • Different quality levels provide varying accuracy	Draft
OCR Language***	String	OCR Language Setting • Specify the language of text in the source PDF file • Use only if output text is not recognizable • Optimizes OCR processing for better text recognition • Common values: English, German, French, Spanish	English
Output File Name***	String	Word Output Filename • Specify the name for the generated Word file • Must include .docx extension • PDF4me ensures unique naming and format validation	converted_document.docx
Document Name***	String	Source PDF Reference • Specify the name of the source PDF file • For reference and tracking purposes • Helps with processing tracking	document.pdf
Binary Data Output Name***	String	Binary Data Output Mapping • Define the variable name for accessing generated Word binary data • Used in subsequent workflow actions • Essential for workflow automation	data

Advanced Options

The following parameters are available in the Advanced Options section and are optional:

Parameter	Type	Description	Example
Custom Profiles	String	Custom Configuration Profiles • Set additional options using custom profiles • JSON-like format containing predefined parameters • Enables advanced Word generation settings • Optional for specialized requirements	{ "outputDataFormat": "base64", "preserveFormatting": true }
Max Retries	Number	Retry Attempt Limit • Specify maximum retry attempts for failed conversions • PDF4me automatically retries up to specified limit • Useful for handling temporary network issues • Default is 3	3
Merge All Sheets	Boolean	Content Consolidation Control • Control whether all content merges into single Word document • true = combines all content into one cohesive document • false = creates separate sections • Default is false	false
Preserve Output Format	Boolean	Formatting Preservation • Control whether original formatting and layout is preserved • true = maintains visual fidelity and formatting • false = creates plain document with basic formatting • Default is true	true
Retry Delay (Seconds)	Number	Retry Delay Interval • Specify delay in seconds between retry attempts • PDF4me waits before attempting next retry • Helps prevent overwhelming the service • Default is 5	5
Use OCR When Needed	Boolean	Intelligent OCR Activation • Automatically enable OCR for scanned images or non-selectable text • PDF4me intelligently detects when OCR is required • Improves text extraction accuracy • Default is true	true

Output

Output Parameters

Parameter	Type	Description	Example
fileName	String	PDF4me generated Word filename - The complete filename of the successfully generated Word document with proper .docx extension. PDF4me ensures unique naming and validates file format compliance for seamless integration with downstream processes	converted_document.docx
mimeType	String	PDF4me Word MIME type - The MIME type of the generated Word file, indicating the file format for proper handling in web applications and file systems	application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document
fileSize	Number	PDF4me Word file size in bytes - The exact size of the generated Word file in bytes, provided by PDF4me for storage planning, bandwidth optimization, and file transfer monitoring. Essential for enterprise document management and workflow automation	8782
success	Boolean	PDF4me conversion status indicator - Boolean flag indicating the success or failure of the PDF-to-Word conversion process. PDF4me returns true for successful conversions and false for any errors, enabling robust error handling in automated workflows	true
inputDataType	String	PDF4me input data format used - Indicates the type of input data that was processed (base64, binary, or URL). Useful for understanding the input method used in the conversion process	base64
sourceFileName	String	PDF4me source PDF reference - The original PDF filename that was processed by PDF4me's conversion engine. This reference is maintained for audit trails, debugging purposes, and tracking the source of generated Word documents in enterprise workflows	document.pdf
qualityType	String	PDF4me conversion quality used - Indicates the quality level that was applied during the PDF to Word conversion process. Shows which quality setting (Draft or High) was used for the conversion	Draft
language	String	PDF4me OCR language used - Shows the language setting that was applied during the conversion process for optimal text recognition and content extraction accuracy	English

N8N Action Response

The PDF4me Convert PDF to Word API returns a response that can be viewed in multiple formats. Choose the view that best fits your needs:

JSON

JSON Response Format

The raw JSON response from the API:

{
  "fileName": "converted_document.docx",
  "mimeType": "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document",
  "fileSize": 8782,
  "success": true,
  "inputDataType": "base64",
  "sourceFileName": "document.pdf",
  "qualityType": "Draft",
  "language": "English"
}

Table

Table View

Response data in a structured table format:

Parameter	Value
fileName	converted_document.docx
mimeType	application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document
fileSize	8782
success	true
inputDataType	base64
sourceFileName	document.pdf
qualityType	Draft
language	English

Schema

Schema View

The data structure and types of the response:

1 item
fileName: AB converted_document.docx
mimeType: AB application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document
fileSize: # 8782
success: ☑ true
inputDataType: AB base64
sourceFileName: AB document.pdf
qualityType: AB Draft
language: AB English

Type Indicators:

• AB = String
• # = Number
• ☑ = Boolean

Binary

Binary Data View

The actual Word file data and metadata:

data
─────────────────────────────
File Name: converted_document.docx
File Extension: docx
Mime Type: application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document
File Size: 240.0 KB

Binary Data Access:

• n8n Binary Object: $binary.data.data
• Base64 Content: Available for direct use
• File Operations: Ready for download, email, or storage

Use Cases

Document Editing and Content Management

• Convert PDF documents to Word format for collaborative editing, content updates, and document revision workflows that require multiple team members to make changes
• Process scanned documents and PDF reports by converting them to Word format for text editing, formatting adjustments, and content modification
• Transform PDF contracts, agreements, and legal documents to Word format for editing, negotiation, and version control in legal and business processes

Content Migration and System Integration

• Migrate PDF content to Word format for integration with content management systems, document workflows, and collaborative platforms that require editable document formats
• Convert PDF reports and analytics documents to Word format for further analysis, data manipulation, and integration with business intelligence tools
• Process PDF forms and templates by converting them to Word format for customization, branding updates, and template modification

Academic and Research Applications

• Convert PDF research papers, academic articles, and scholarly documents to Word format for editing, annotation, and collaborative research projects
• Process PDF textbooks and educational materials by converting them to Word format for content adaptation, localization, and curriculum development
• Transform PDF theses, dissertations, and academic submissions to Word format for editing, formatting, and submission to academic institutions

Get Help

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