How To Convert PDF To Excel Without Software

How to Convert PDF to Excel

Step 1

In stage 1, Open a new blank worksheet. Here you can learn how to create an excel worksheet. where you will extract, store and work with the raw data. A completely new and blank worksheet would look like the image below. Keep it noted, and you don’t need to always start on a new worksheet or workbook. You can even extract PDF and ingest the data into an existing sheet too.

Step 2

Once you have the sheet ready, where you choose to make your data land, you can start with stage 2. Stage 2 is all about locating your data source and extracting the data into the worksheet. You can find and extract the PDF data in the following way.

Select the data option in the toolbar as shown below.

Step 3

Next, you need to select the Get Data option on the left. You will see a new dropdown menu. Select the option that reads as “From File”. The net dropdown will provide a set of options that include Workbook, CSV, JSON, PDF, and Folder. Choose the option of PDF as shown below.

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Step 4

In the next step, navigate the PDF file location and select the file as shown below, and select the load option.

So far we have discussed 4 simple steps of how to convert a pdf file to xls, now let's have a look at step 5.

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Step 5

It will display the preview of the data tables on the screen, and you need to click on the load option if you are comfortable with the preview data table. The preview of the data table will be displayed, as shown below.

Step 6

The data will be loaded, and it will show the table in the query section. Right-click on the table name and select the option that reads as “Load to”, as shown in the image below.

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Step 7

A new window will appear on the screen to provide the options for loading the data into a fresh excel worksheet or an existing worksheet. Select your choice and click on okay, as shown below.

The final data table with all the entries will appear, as shown below.

With that, you have come to the end of this “How to convert PDF to Excel” tutorial.

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Reasons to Convert PDF to Excel

Now that we know how to convert PDF to excel, let us look at the reasons to so. Here are several important reasons why converting PDF data to Excel can greatly enhance your workflow and data management:

• Makes Data Usable

PDFs often present data in a format that’s not easy to work with for analysis or business decisions. Knowing how to convert pdf to excel allows you to organize and structure it effectively. Excel’s format makes it easier to manipulate and extract meaningful insights, enhancing its utility for business needs.

• Saves Time

Handling large volumes of data in PDFs can be time-consuming if done manually. Entering data into spreadsheets by hand is labor-intensive. Converting PDF data to Excel significantly speeds up this process, freeing up time for more valuable tasks like data analysis.

• Maintains Accuracy

Manual data entry is prone to errors, and even skilled professionals can make mistakes. Learning how to convert pdf to excel reduces these risks by ensuring a more accurate transfer of information. This helps maintain the integrity of your data and improves overall reliability.

• Simplifies Data Analysis

Excel provides powerful features like sorting, filtering, and pivot tables, which make data management and analysis much easier. These tools are not available in PDFs, so knowing how to convert pdf into excel allows for quicker organization and analysis, leading to better insights.

Top Software to Convert PDF to Excel

Now, let’s look at some software options to convert PDF to Excel that can make your data handling much easier.

• Adobe Acrobat Pro

Adobe Acrobat Pro is a top choice for converting PDFs to Excel, known for its reliable performance and high-quality output. It offers a range of features, including the ability to convert scanned documents into editable text and secure PDFs with password protection. Whether you're working on a computer or a mobile device, Adobe Acrobat Pro provides a seamless experience for managing and processing your PDF files. 

• Nanonets AI OCR

Nanonets is an AI-powered OCR tool that makes extracting text and tables from PDFs a breeze. It’s designed for ease of use and delivers high accuracy in conversions, including PDF to Excel, text, CSV, and JSON. Nanonets is ideal for automating data extraction and handling complex or handwritten documents, making it a valuable asset for efficient document processing.

• Able2Extract Professional

Able2Extract Professional is a versatile tool that excels in converting PDFs to editable Excel files. It supports batch processing and operates offline, which is perfect for business use. The tool stands out for its ability to preserve the original table formatting and its smart layout detection that helps maintain the integrity of your data during conversion.

• Cogniview PDF2XL

Cogniview’s PDF2XL is a powerful converter that shines with its ability to process large volumes of data quickly. It handles up to 1000 pages per minute and supports over 130 languages. PDF2XL is known for retaining formatting accuracy and is a go-to option for businesses needing efficient and reliable PDF-to-Excel conversions.

• Foxit PDF Editor

Foxit PDF Editor+ provides a cost-effective alternative to Adobe with a feature-rich interface. It includes OCR capabilities and integrates smoothly with tools like Microsoft Teams and Salesforce. Foxit is not only affordable but also offers strong security features and online collaboration options, making it a solid choice for managing and converting PDFs.

• Wondershare PDFelement

Wondershare PDFelement offers a great balance of functionality and affordability. It comes with robust OCR features that work well with both high and low-quality documents. Available for both Windows and Mac, PDFelement is user-friendly and provides a cost-effective way to handle and convert PDFs, with features similar to those of Adobe Acrobat. 

• Nitro PDF Pro

Nitro PDF Pro is part of the Nitro Productivity Suite and is known for its precision in converting PDFs to Excel. It has a user-friendly interface that mimics Microsoft Office, making it familiar and easy to use. Nitro Pro also includes features like PDF annotation and electronic signatures, offering a comprehensive tool for managing and editing PDF files.

• SmallPDF

SmallPDF is praised for its simplicity and efficiency in converting PDFs to Excel and other formats like Word and PPT. Its user-friendly interface works across web, desktop, and mobile platforms and integrates with cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox. SmallPDF also provides additional features for document compression and editing, making it a versatile tool for various PDF needs.

• Amazon Textract

Amazon Textract leverages AI to extract text and data from complex PDFs efficiently. It excels in handling scanned images and handwritten documents while preserving the structure of tables and columns. Textract is particularly useful for businesses requiring advanced data extraction and processing capabilities, offering a robust solution for managing extensive document data.

• Power Query in Excel

Microsoft’s Power Query, part of Excel’s Get & Transform feature, allows for direct import and transformation of data from PDFs into Excel. It simplifies the process of extracting tables and structured data while maintaining formatting. Power Query is integrated into Excel, making it a convenient and cost-effective option for users who need to manage and analyze PDF data within Excel’s familiar environment.

Wrapping Up

Excel What-if Analysis can be your next chapter in learning and mastering Microsoft Excel. What-if analysis will teach you to implement permutations and combinations on the raw data and predict the results.

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Do you have any questions for us on this tutorial on “How to Convert PDF to Excel”? If you do, or maybe you have queries on our certification course, do reach out to us by sharing them as comments below. Our team of experts will address them and will be happy to answer them at the earliest. 

FAQs

1. Can I convert PDF to Excel for free?

Yes, you can convert PDFs to Excel for free using several tools. For example, Nanonets AI OCR offers a free version that lets you convert a set number of PDFs accurately. SmallPDF also provides a free basic service, though it may have limitations on the types of PDFs it can handle.

2. Is it possible to convert a password-protected PDF to Excel?

Yes, converting a password-protected PDF to Excel is possible. Tools like Adobe Acrobat Pro can handle this by allowing you to unlock the PDF first. Just remember, some converters may not handle password-protected files directly, so you might need to remove the password before starting the conversion.

3. How can I maintain the original formatting when converting PDF to Excel?

To keep the original formatting intact, use tools known for their precision. Adobe Acrobat Pro and Able2Extract Professional are great at preserving the layout of tables and other elements. After converting, you may still need to tweak the formatting in Excel a bit, but these tools help keep things as close to the original as possible.

4. Are there any limitations when converting PDF to Excel?

Yes, there can be limitations. Some converters might struggle with complex or poorly scanned PDFs, leading to formatting issues. Free tools often have restrictions on the number of PDFs you can convert or lack advanced features. It’s always a good idea to check the tool’s capabilities and try a sample conversion to see how well it handles your specific needs.

5. Can I convert multiple PDFs to Excel at once?

Absolutely! Many converters support batch processing, which means you can convert several PDFs to Excel at the same time. Tools like Cogniview PDF2XL and Nanonets AI OCR are designed to handle multiple files efficiently. Just make sure the tool you choose has batch conversion capabilities to save you time and effort.