author avatar
19 June 2024  Amanda J. Brook  Senior Product Manager
 

Summary
Learn how to convert pdf to excel, including scanned PDFs. Editing and modifying table data has never been easier.



I. PDF and Excel files

how to convert pdf to excel
PDF
The PDF (Portable Document Format) developed by Adobe is a widely used file type. Unlike other formats, PDFs are primarily for viewing rather than editing. They retain the document’s full formatting and layout on any device. Additionally, PDFs ensure accurate colors and printing results. Today, many e-books, product descriptions, company announcements, web materials, and emails use the PDF format.
Common uses of PDF files:

  • Print files: PDFs provide precise layouts and high-resolution images, ideal for high-quality print work.
  • Online transmission and sharing: PDFs protect content from modification and maintain the original layout and content upon opening.
  • Business and Legal Documents: PDFs preserve accurate document layouts, crucial for business and legal documents.
  • Combining multiple document formats: PDFs can import text, images, Excel tables, vector graphics, etc., into a single document.
  • Universal accessibility: PDFs can be opened on Windows, Mac, or mobile devices without additional software.
  • Interactive documents: PDFs support data entry in electronic forms and data storage in databases.
Excel
Microsoft Excel, part of the Microsoft Office suite, is a software program used to create spreadsheets. It features calculations, drawing tools, pivot tables, and a macro programming language called Visual Basic for Applications. Excel files, commonly with the “.xlsx” extension, are spreadsheet documents. Each table contains rows and columns, with each cell at their intersection holding data. This organization facilitates easy data management and allows for the creation of graphs, histograms, line graphs, and more. Excel is widely used in the business world for data storage, manipulation, and financial analysis.
Common Uses of Excel Files:

  • Store financial data and data analysis reports.
  • Create graphics or charts for intuitive understanding of data trends.
  • Display various data clearly and intuitively, making it easier to find and understand.
  • Print data and graphs for summary reports.
  • Sort and filter data to find specific information.
  • Link worksheet data and charts to other programs like Microsoft PowerPoint and Word.
  • Import data from database programs for analysis.
Application Scenarios of Converting PDF to Excel
● For security reasons, most financial statements and documents are saved and shared in PDF format. However, in order to analyze the data accurately we need to convert it into an editable Excel format.
● When doing data analysis or financial analysis, Excel has more complete calculation tools than PDF.
● The data of multiple PDFs needs to be exported and consolidated for statistics. Converting to Excel format can improve work efficiency.
In today’s efficiency-conscious age, it’s essential to use our time effectively. When organizing PDF data into an Excel document, manual entry is unnecessary. Instead, try these efficient PDF conversion methods.

II. How to convert PDF to Excel

PDF files offer strong security and reliability but are inconvenient for data editing due to their limited editing functions. To efficiently organize, count, and analyze data, especially when dealing with numerous numbers and tables, convert PDF documents into editable Excel format.

1. Renee PDF Aide

Renee PDF Aide, easy to operate, converts up to 80 pages/min. It supports conversion from PDF to Excel, Word, PowerPoint, ePub, Text, HTML, JPG, TIFF, and more. This software integrates various functions including editing, optimizing, repairing, and encrypting PDF files. Despite its diverse features, the interface is user-friendly and simple. Renee PDF Aide uses advanced OCR technology to convert scanned PDFs into editable formats and supports one-click batch conversion for efficiency, safety, and a free conversion experience.
advantage:
  • The PDF conversion speed is fast, and the conversion rate is as high as 80 pages per minute.
  • PDF editing features are diverse.
  • It has OCR technology to recognize and convert PDF scans and content in pictures.
  • Its simple design provides a user-friendly interface for both beginners and professionals.
  • Simple operation and easy to use.

shortcoming:

  • Mac OS is not supported.
  • The text content of the PDF cannot be edited directly.

Hot Topic - ADsRenee PDF Aide - Powerful PDF Editing Tool

Easy to use Friendly to computer beginners

Multifunctional Encrypt/decrypt/split/merge/add watermark

Safe Protect PDF with AES256 algorithms

Quick Edit/convert dozens of PDF files in batch

Compatible Convert PDF to Excel/PowerPoint/Text, etc.

Easy Use with simple steps

Functional Encrypt/decrypt/split/merge/watermark

Safe Protect PDF with AES256 algorithms

Free TrialFree TrialNow 800 people have obtained the free version!
① After installing Renee PDF Aide, open it. Select “Convert PDF“.
select to convert pdf with renee pdf converter
② Add the PDF files to be converted by clicking the “Add Files” button. The software supports batch conversion, allowing you to import multiple files simultaneously. Once added, the file information will appear in the conversion list. Click the “Selected Pages” list to set the pages for conversion.
convert pdf to the others with renee pdf aide
③ Click the “Excel” option in the upper menu bar.
add excel files into renee pdf aide
④ If your PDF is a scanned copy, please select “Enable OCR” > “A: Recognize text in images or scanned PDFs”. If not, skip this step.
how to convert pdf to excel with renee pdf aide
Tips

The software offers three OCR text recognition modes:

  • A: Recognize text in pictures or PDF scans: This mode assumes the text on the PDF page is in a picture/scanned image and uses OCR (selecting the corresponding language improves results) to recognize and output the text.
  • B: Identify built-in fonts (to avoid garbled characters): This mode assumes the text on the PDF page uses embedded fonts. The program converts these fonts into images, then uses OCR (selecting the corresponding language improves results) to recognize and output the text.
  • A+B (slower): The program automatically determines whether the font in the file is a picture or an embedded PDF font, then converts and outputs it. This mode is time-consuming, resulting in longer conversion times.

⑤ Click “Convert.” Once complete, a prompt will display the total and successfully converted files. The PDF is now an Excel file.

2. Adobe Acrobat DC

As one of the most popular PDF reading and editing software, Adobe Acrobat DC is commonly used to convert PDFs to Excel format. This software can read, edit, manage, and share PDF documents. However, its purchase price is relatively expensive, making it less suitable for personal use (Renee PDF Aide might be more appropriate). Adobe Acrobat DC supports cross-platform use on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and Windows Phones, allowing you to edit PDF files anytime.
advantage:
  • The conversion speed is fast and supports multiple formats conversion.
  • Has a very complete PDF editing tool.
  • Easy-to-use toolbar and user-friendly interface.
  • OCR technology can be used to recognize and edit scanned PDF files.

shortcoming:

  • The price is high compared to other PDF editing software.
  • Due to high fees, it may not be suitable for individuals and small businesses.

① Open the PDF file in Adobe Acrobat DC, and click “Export PDF” in the right menu bar.
acrobat export pdf
② Click “Spreadsheet” and select “Microsoft Excel Workbook”. If you need to set the number and text recognition settings for the exported file, please click the “Settings” icon on the right side of “Microsoft Excel Workbook”.
③ Click “Export”. In the Save As window, choose the save location, enter the file name, and click “Save”. If the PDF contains scanned documents, Adobe Acrobat DC will automatically run OCR text recognition.

3. Convert via Microsoft Word

In addition to using professional PDF conversion software to convert PDF to Excel, you can also use Microsoft Word software to convert, but the conversion operation will be relatively cumbersome.
advantage:In addition to converting PDF, it also provides a variety of text editing tools.

shortcoming:

  • PDF files cannot be converted in batches.
  • Complicated and difficult to operate.

① Open the PDF file in Microsoft Word. Please right-click the PDF file and select “Word” in “Open With” to open it. Alternatively, you can click “File” > “Open” > “Browse” in Word to open the PDF file.
② In the prompt window that pops up, click “OK”. If the converted Word document is displayed in Protected View, click the “Enable Editing” button to edit the document.
③ Click the “Save” icon or go to “File” > “Save As”. Select “Web Page” under “Save as type” and click “Save.”
save word as
④ Finally, open the webpage file saved in step 3 in the Excel application program to convert it into an Excel file. After the conversion is complete, you can analyze and edit the data in Excel.

4. PDF2XL

PDF2XL is a powerful data conversion tool for personal and business use. It quickly converts PDFs to Excel spreadsheets (.xlsx or .xls), reducing human errors. The software supports OCR recognition, allowing it to recognize entire pages or parts of PDFs. It can convert various financial documents, such as purchase orders, invoices, bank statements, supplier lists, bills of materials, and inventory lists, facilitating data extraction for calculation or analysis. PDF2XL also supports batch conversion, enabling the processing of multiple PDF files simultaneously.
advantage:
  • The conversion speed is fast, up to 500 pages can be converted per minute.
  • Accurately convert a wide variety of financial documents and forms.
  • OCR text recognition function. You can scan paper documents and convert them to Excel files.
  • Convert PDF to CSV files.

shortcoming:The trial version can only convert the first 10 pages of each document.

Converting a PDF to an Excel table in PDF2XL is simple. Open the PDF in the software, drag the mouse to select the table content, and the software provides a preview of the data in Excel. Click Convert > Convert Document, and the selected data is immediately pasted into your Excel file.
PDF to Excel software

5. Online conversion tool: Smallpdf

If you can’t download the application on your computer, try an online conversion tool like Smallpdf. Smallpdf is a versatile PDF conversion, editing, and optimizing tool. You can convert PDF files to Excel, JPG, PowerPoint, and Word formats. It also offers PDF editing tools to split, merge, compress, and password-protect PDFs online. Its simple interface allows novice users to quickly convert PDF to Excel.

Open Smallpdf, and click the Choose File button to upload the PDF file. There are two options for converting PDF to Excel: Convert to Excel using OCR or Convert to Excel. Choose the appropriate option and click Select Option to start the conversion. After the conversion is complete, click Download.

PDF to Excel
advantage:
  • Table headings can also be converted to Excel tables.
  • Simple and intuitive operation interface.
  • The conversion speed is fast.
  • Provides various PDF editing functions.

shortcoming:

  • The free trial has a number of limitations when it comes to use.
  • Batch conversion and other advanced features are available for a fee.

III. Other common PDF editing operations

Besides PDF format conversion and OCR recognition, common PDF editing tasks include merging, splitting, adding watermarks, and rotating. To edit more efficiently, use Renee PDF Aide. Its “PDF Tools” module covers most editing needs.
Hot Topic - ADsRenee PDF Aide - Powerful PDF Editing Tool

Easy to use Friendly to computer beginners

Multifunctional Encrypt/decrypt/split/merge/add watermark

Safe Protect PDF with AES256 algorithms

Quick Edit/convert dozens of PDF files in batch

Compatible Convert PDF to Excel/PowerPoint/Text, etc.

Easy Use with simple steps

Functional Encrypt/decrypt/split/merge/watermark

Safe Protect PDF with AES256 algorithms

Free TrialFree TrialNow 800 people have obtained the free version!
After installing Renee PDF Aide, open it and click on the “PDF Toolset” column. From the function menu bar at the top, you can select various functions for personalized PDF editing, including repair, optimization, split, merge, rotate, encrypt/decrypt, watermark, and image to PDF. Additionally, you can edit multiple PDF files simultaneously, enabling convenient and fast batch operations.
use the pdf functions to edit with renee pdf aide
PDF Tools Editing Function:

  • Repair: Fix damaged or unopenable PDF files.
  • Optimization: Speed up loading times and compress large PDFs.
  • Segmentation: Split multi-page PDFs into multiple files or a single file as needed.
  • Merge: Combine multiple PDFs into one, with optional page selection.
  • Rotation: Adjust the display angle of PDF files.
  • Encrypt and Decrypt: Encrypt or decrypt password-protected PDFs.
  • Watermark: Add foreground or background watermarks using images or PDF documents.
  • Image to PDF: Merge and convert images into one file or create a PDF from a single image.
Summarize
Although various PDF conversion tools and methods have been introduced, their effectiveness can vary, with some causing table data confusion when converting PDF to Excel. In tests, Renee PDF Aide performed best, preserving all tables in their original format, even for complex data. Additionally, it offers many advanced editing functions.