PDF vs Word for ATS: Which CV File Type Actually Works?

## PDF vs Word: the direct answer In 2026, submit a text-based PDF by default for direct applications; use .docx only when an agency or the employer explicitly asks for Word. PDFs preserve layout for humans and are parsed reliably by modern ATS—if they contain selectable text. ## Can ATS read PDF files? Yes—provided the PDF is text-based. Modern ATS platforms (Workday, Greenhouse, Lever, iCIMS) extract text from standard PDFs saved from Word or Google Docs. They cannot read image-based PDFs created by design tools (Photoshop, Canva, Illustrator) or scans; those are effectively blank to the parser. If your CV was exported as a flattened image inside a PDF, keywords, headings and contact details won’t be indexed. Also: never upload a .pages file—most corporate ATS and Windows-based recruiters can’t open it. Always export from Pages to a standard PDF or DOCX before submitting. ## When should I use a Word document (.docx)? There’s one common exception: external recruiters and agencies. Agency systems often need editable DOCX files so consultants can remove contact details, add client-specific notes or insert their branding before forwarding. If a job advert or recruiter asks for .docx, send it. For direct company portals or applicant forms, prefer a well-exported text-based PDF to lock your layout. Also follow explicit instructions in the job advert: if the employer requests Word, submit Word. Ignoring a format request is a quick way to annoy a recruiter and trigger a manual reject. ## How do I test if my PDF is ATS-friendly? Use the simple "Highlight Test": open the exported PDF in a browser or Acrobat, press Ctrl+A / Cmd+A and copy-paste into Notepad (or TextEdit in plain text). If the text highlights logically, copies cleanly and the order isn’t scrambled, ATS parsers will read it. If selection grabs single large image blocks or the text pastes as gibberish, re-export from Word/Docs as a text-based PDF. Extra checks: avoid multi-column layouts or floating text boxes for critical data (dates, job titles). Keep your header as plain text (no text boxes or icons replacing labels) so parsers can extract name, email and phone reliably. - [ ] Are you applying directly to a company portal? Export as a text-based PDF. - [ ] Are you emailing an external recruiter or they asked for Word? Send a .docx file. - [ ] Have you avoided .pages, scanned PDFs and image exports? - [ ] Highlight Test: can you Select All and copy text into Notepad without scrambling? - [ ] Is your header plain text (name, email, phone) and not in a text box or graphic? *For more on ensuring your file is read correctly by machines, explore our [ATS Optimisation](/ats-optimization) insights.*