A pricing sheet, a comparison matrix, a contract schedule — Word documents centred on tables. Converting to PDF preserves them properly when the source is clean.
Tables come across as expected
Word tables convert to PDF with full fidelity: borders, shading, merged cells, header rows, alignment — all preserved. Flint's Word to PDF handles them automatically.
The PDF table looks exactly like the Word table on screen. If it doesn't, the source DOCX usually has the problem.
Long tables across pages
Tables that span pages keep their header row repeating on each page if you've enabled Repeat Header Row in Word (Table Layout > Repeat Header Rows). If headers don't repeat in the PDF, check that setting in Word first.
For tables that should never break across pages, set Table Properties > Row > Allow Row to Break Across Pages > off.
Borderless and grid tables
Both convert correctly. Borderless tables (no visible lines) appear as text in columns. Grid tables (every cell ruled) appear ruled. The conversion preserves whatever you set in Word.
If the PDF shows different table styling than expected, it's often because the document uses Word's table styles rather than direct formatting — those styles transfer faithfully.
Wide tables
Tables wider than the page break visually. Word handles this by either shrinking text, breaking the table into multiple page widths, or going landscape. The PDF preserves whichever behaviour Word chose.
For very wide tables (large datasets), consider landscape orientation or splitting into multiple smaller tables. Or convert to PDF and then to Excel for actual data analysis.
FAQ
Will merged cells survive?
Yes — merged cells in Word stay merged in the PDF.
What about cell shading?
Preserved exactly. Background colours and patterns transfer.
Will the PDF be searchable?
Yes — table text is selectable and searchable in the PDF.
Should I switch to Excel for data?
If the document is mostly tables, Excel to PDF handles tabular data better. Use Word when prose surrounds the tables.
Tables in, tables out, no surprises. Convert your Word to PDF with tables intact.