Convert PDFs to text formats

Last updated on Aug 16, 2025

Learn how to convert a PDF file to plain text or an XML format file using Adobe Acrobat.

Convert PDF to TXT  

Select Convert from the global bar.

Select Other format from the left pane, then select TXT from the dropdown menu.

Select Settings to modify encoding settings.

Select Convert to TXT.

In the dialog box that opens, select a location to save the file.

Type a new name for the file if needed and select Save.

Convert PDF to XML

Select Convert from the global bar.

Select Other format from the left pane, then select XML 1.0 from the dropdown menu.

Select Settings to modify the following settings:

  • Encoding: Applies UTF-8 for most uses.
  • Generate bookmarks: Creates XML tags for the document structure.
  • Generate tags for untagged files: Adds basic structure tags.
  • Export all images: Includes all images from the PDF in the XML file.
  • Use sub-folder: Specifies a folder for storing exported images.
  • Use prefix: Adds a prefix to image filenames.
  • Output format: Applies the image format.
  • Downsample to: Adjust image resolution.

Select Convert to XML.

In the dialog box that opens, select a location to save the file.

Type a new name for the file if needed and select Save.