When should you convert PDF to HTML?

Imagine you have just authored an extensive research paper, and you want to make it available on your website for easy access and sharing. You’ve saved it as a PDF file, but you’re wondering if there’s a more web-friendly format that would make your content more visible and accessible.

If you’re in a similar spot, then PDF to HTML conversion is something you can really benefit from. So, can a PDF be saved as HTML at all? Absolutely! Without further ado, let’s examine the shortcomings of PDF in the web space, some reasons you should use HTML instead, and walk you through the process of turning PDF to editable HTML.

Let’s begin!

The issues of using PDFs in the digital space

The Adobe-invented Portable File Format has long been a popular choice since it is compatible with any device, keeps the original layout and formatting of your documents intact, and is pretty much the gold standard when it comes to file archival work. However, not all is sunshine and roses when it comes to using the format in the online space.

Four issues in particular immediately stick out as soon as you decide to upload a PDF:

• Hard to find online. The text within a PDF file is not as easily crawled by search engine bots, so the file might end up getting buried in the search results or not get indexed at all
• Difficult to edit. Updating or editing content within a PDF file can be challenging and time-consuming without the use of specialized editing software
• Large file size. PDFs and especially image-rich PDFs tend to take a lot of space, which translates to slower loading speeds for the end user
• Shunned by social media. If your research paper needs to end up on Facebook, Twitter, or another social network, you’ll be out of luck since they don’t support PDFs natively

This is where HTML steps in to save the day.

What is HTML and why use it over PDF?

HyperText Markup Language, or HTML for short, is a collection of scripts that your browser is trained to read in order to display the content for the end user. While this means that your final work might not always turn out exactly the way you intended due to missing fonts or other errors, it is still the superior format when it comes to uploading content to the web.

 For one, HTML documents are easier for search engines to index and access than PDFs, leading to much better visibility. HTML is also highly interactive and it’s not uncommon to see web pages with multiple clickable hyperlinks, buttons, and other elements. And of course, sharing your work on social media is as simple as copying and pasting a link (provided you’ve previously uploaded the content on some website).

The HTML format offers several other advantages as well, such as:

• Optimized for SEO. HTML allows you to optimize your content with metadata, keywords, and other SEO best practices, improving its online presence
• Easier content management. Editing and updating HTML content is significantly easier than working with PDF files, allowing for more efficient maintenance
• Built-in responsiveness. HTML dynamically scales to fit the native resolution of your device, be it a phone, tablet, or a Mac/PC. This ensures a consistent look & feel across the board as opposed to the clunky static nature of PDFs
• Faster loading times. HTML doesn’t embed images like PDFs do. Instead, it saves them in a separate folder from where the content is stored, leading to improved page loading times compared to uploading an image-rich PDF as is

When to use a PDF to HTML converter

 Perhaps the main reason you may consider going down the PDF to HTML route is when you need it for web applications, such as SEO optimization or web design where a greater range of user-friendly options are required compared to what your typical PDF can offer.

With HTML, your readers will also have a much easier time navigating around the content since it supports quality-of-life features like links and quick navigation buttons.

 Some scenarios where you might want to turn PDF to HTML include:

• Publishing online documentation, manuals, or guides that need to be easily navigated and updated
• Sharing research papers, journals, or educational resources intended for a wide audience
• Making legal or government documents more accessible and user-friendly for the general public
• Ensuring your content is compatible with various devices and platforms, including mobile devices and screen readers
• Turning things like brochures and restaurant menus into interactive website pages that your visitors can quickly skim over instead of downloading large PDF files

How to convert PDF to HTML

There are a lot of tools on the market for you to choose from, but most of the free solutions online often don’t work properly or require you to pay upfront to use them. PDF Extra, on the other hand, is an affordable Adobe Acrobat alternative that offers you just about all the tools you need to create and edit PDFs at the office or on the go.

Laser-focused on simplicity, the app was built from the start to be used by just about anyone, regardless of their level of expertise. This extends to PDF Extra’s PDF to HTML converter, which is incredibly simple and intuitive. The resulting file will imitate your PDF’s original layout and formatting as closely as possible to save you lots of tedious HTML editing work.

Here is how to export PDF to HTML:

1. Download and install PDF Extra.
2. Run the app and click on “More” → “Convert to HTML”.
3. Open the file that you want to convert.
4. Wait for PDF Extra to export your document as HTML.
5. Click “Open Containing Folder” to view your new file.

That’s it – you can now easily share your research paper anywhere you want!

Final words

While PDFs will probably still have their place in the business world 50 years from now, they are not that great at turning a piece of content into an exciting and interactive read. So, if you’re looking to supercharge your digital content, think about switching from PDF to HTML. With HTML, creating and updating your content becomes a breeze, not to mention all the SEO benefits that come with it, such as improved discoverability and responsive design.

Time to make some history. Download PDF Extra for free, grab that stash of valuable PDFs, and share your insights for all the world to see!

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