How to Convert PDF to Excel: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’ve ever tried to pull data from a PDF file into Excel, you know how frustrating it can be. PDF files are designed for reading, not editing — but sometimes you need to work with that data, analyze it, or create reports in Excel.

The good news? There are several easy ways to convert PDF to Excel, whether you prefer using free tools, paid software, or built-in features in popular programs. In this post, we’ll walk you through the most reliable methods.

Why Convert PDF to Excel?

Before we jump in, here’s why you might want to convert a PDF to Excel:
✅ To extract tables or financial data for analysis
✅ To avoid manual data entry (which can lead to errors)
✅ To reuse reports or forms in editable formats
✅ To save time when preparing presentations or summaries

Let’s look at the best methods.

Method 1: Use Adobe Acrobat

If you have Adobe Acrobat (the paid version, not just the free Reader), it has a built-in export feature.

Steps:

Open your PDF in Adobe Acrobat.
Go to File → Export To → Spreadsheet → Microsoft Excel Workbook.
Save the file where you want.

✅ Pros: Accurate formatting, good for complex tables.
❌ Cons: Requires a paid subscription.

Method 2: Use Online Converters

There are many free websites that let you upload a PDF and download an Excel file. Popular options include:

Smallpdf (smallpdf.com)
ILovePDF (ilovepdf.com)
PDFtoExcel (pdftoexcel.com)

Steps:

Go to the website.
Upload your PDF file.
Wait for the conversion to finish, then download the Excel file.

✅ Pros: Free, no software installation.
❌ Cons: File size limits, potential privacy concerns for sensitive data.

Method 3: Use Microsoft Excel (Built-in Feature)

Newer versions of Excel (2016 and later) let you import data directly from a PDF.

Steps:

Open Excel and go to the Data tab.
Select Get Data → From File → From PDF.
Choose your PDF file.
Select the tables you want and import them into your spreadsheet.

✅ Pros: No need for extra tools if you already have Excel.
❌ Cons: Doesn’t work with older Excel versions.

Method 4: Use Google Sheets (Workaround)

If you prefer free, cloud-based tools, you can try this indirect method:

Steps:

Convert your PDF to Excel using an online tool.
Upload the Excel file to Google Sheets.
Edit and share as needed in Google Sheets.

✅ Pros: Free, collaborative.
❌ Cons: Relies on initial PDF-to-Excel conversion.

Tips for Better Results

Check the original PDF quality: Scanned PDFs may require OCR (optical character recognition) tools.
Review the Excel file: Always check for formatting issues or misplaced data.
Protect sensitive data: Avoid uploading confidential PDFs to online converters.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to convert PDF to Excel can save you hours of manual work and help you get more value from your data. Depending on your needs and budget, you can use built-in Excel features, online tools, or premium software like Adobe Acrobat.

If you frequently handle this task, consider investing in a reliable PDF converter tool — it will pay off in the long run!

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