How to Convert PDF to Excel: Easy Methods Explained
If you’ve ever needed to analyze data trapped inside a PDF file, you know how challenging it can be. PDFs are great for preserving document formatting, but they’re not designed for easy data extraction.
Luckily, there are several simple ways to convert PDF to Excel, allowing you to pull out tables, lists, or figures and work with them in a spreadsheet. In this post, we’ll walk you through the most effective methods, both free and paid, so you can choose the best option for your needs.
Why Would You Convert PDF to Excel?
Here are common reasons people want to convert PDF files to Excel:
✅ Extract financial tables or reports for further analysis.
✅ Reuse data without retyping everything manually.
✅ Save time when working on large data sets.
✅ Maintain data accuracy and avoid human errors.
Method 1: Use Adobe Acrobat (Paid Software)
If you already have Adobe Acrobat (the full version, not just Acrobat Reader), converting to Excel is quick and accurate.
Steps:
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Open your PDF in Adobe Acrobat.
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Click File → Export To → Spreadsheet → Microsoft Excel Workbook.
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Choose where to save the Excel file.
✅ Pros:
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High accuracy, especially with complex tables.
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Keeps formatting and cell structure intact.
❌ Cons:
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Requires a paid Adobe subscription.
Method 2: Use Free Online PDF to Excel Converters
There are many websites that let you upload a PDF and convert it to Excel for free. Popular options include:
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Smallpdf (smallpdf.com)
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ILovePDF (ilovepdf.com)
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PDFtoExcel (pdftoexcel.com)
Steps:
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Go to the website.
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Upload your PDF file.
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Click Convert and download the Excel file when ready.
✅ Pros:
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Free and easy to use.
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No software installation needed.
❌ Cons:
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File size limits on free versions.
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Not ideal for sensitive or confidential documents due to privacy concerns.
Method 3: Use Microsoft Excel (Built-in Feature)
If you’re using Excel 2016 or later, you can import PDF data directly.
Steps:
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Open Excel and go to the Data tab.
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Select Get Data → From File → From PDF.
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Select the tables or data you want to import.
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Load the data into your Excel sheet.
✅ Pros:
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No need for extra software.
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Directly integrates into your Excel workflow.
❌ Cons:
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Available only on newer Excel versions.
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Might struggle with highly formatted or scanned PDFs.
Method 4: Convert Using Google Drive and Sheets (Free Workaround)
For those who prefer cloud tools:
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Convert your PDF to Excel using an online tool (like Smallpdf).
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Upload the Excel file to Google Drive.
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Open it in Google Sheets for editing, sharing, or further work.
✅ Pros:
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Completely free.
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Great for collaboration.
❌ Cons:
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Two-step process.
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Depends on the quality of the initial conversion.
Bonus Tip: Handling Scanned PDFs
If your PDF is a scanned image, you’ll need a tool with OCR (Optical Character Recognition), like Adobe Acrobat Pro or some advanced online converters. OCR will recognize the text and numbers inside the image and make them editable.
Final Thoughts
Converting PDF to Excel doesn’t have to be a headache. Whether you choose a paid solution like Adobe, a built-in Excel feature, or free online converters, you can quickly turn static PDF data into editable, workable spreadsheets.
Remember: