I’m always on the lookout for new EdTech tools to share with educators. So when the folks at PDF Candy reached out to me this winter, I was ready to learn more about their website. They provide a platform that is totally free and helps you accomplish a wide range of goals.
PDF Candy is an online tool that lets you accomplish 44 different tasks. From uploading a PDF and converting it to a Word Document, to resizing and cropping PDFs, you have lots of options. As you can see in the picture below, there are many ways to put this tool into work in your classroom this year.
Free PDF Tools
How does it work? PDF Candy first asks you to choose the function you’d like to complete. There are three general categories: Convert from PDF, Convert to PDF, and Other Tools. Depending on the option you choose, you will see a prompt for the next step to follow.
For example, if you choose “PDF to Word” it allows you to convert your PDF to a Word Document. You don’t have to set up an account or log in to use these tools. All you have to do is add a file to convert. This file could be saved on your computer or in your Google Drive or Dropbox. If you do decide to access a file from your Drive or Dropbox, a prompt will pop up asking you to sign in and select a file from that space.
After you complete the file upload step, the conversion takes place. You can then download your new file and check it out. I was impressed with how well PDF Candy worked on just my first try. Of course, I chose a file that I thought was particularly challenging… a rental car receipt from my trip to speak in Nebraska last month. I was surprised at how well PDF Candy read the document and converted it to a Word document.
PDF Tools for Educators
Now there are more practical examples you’ll want to explore when it comes to making the most of PDF Candy. Instead of testing the system as I did with the trickiest document on my computer, you will probably choose something more practical. For example, you might have a class newsletter you want to convert to a new format. Or there might be a flyer on your computer you want to resize or crop. Even if you have a PDF document you want to merge or split, PDF Candy has you covered.
Remember, you don’t want to upload any sensitive information. If you have student records or documents that you are careful with sharing in paper form or in an email, you’ll want to treat them the same here too.
So ready to jump into this free EdTech tool? Head over the PDF Candy’s website to get started! There are so many ways to use this website — the hardest part will be deciding what to do first.
