How to Import PDF to Excel (2 Easy Ways)

In this article, you will learn how to export a PDF to Excel. First, we will explain step-by-step procedures for exporting PDF to Excel. Then we will show how to export data from PDF to Excel through Microsoft Word.

We often have to transfer data from a PDF file to an Excel table as part of our daily tasks. If you want to do it manually, it will be hard and take a lot of time. But if you know how to export data from PDF to Excel, you can do the job in the blink of an eye.

Thus, if you are interested in learning these techniques, you should stick with us. I hope you will find this article informative and useful. So, let’s get into the main discussion.

Download Practice Workbook

You can download the practice workbook and the PDF file from below:

PDF to Excel.xlsx

Exporting PDF.pdf

Export PDF to Excel: 2 Easy Ways

Here are the steps you need to follow carefully to export pdf data to Excel.

1. Export PDF to Excel Using Get Data Option

Step-01: Prepare Dataset in PDF

First, we need to prepare our dataset in a PDF file.
For explaining the approaches, we consider a dataset of 8 rows and 4 columns which are ID, Name, Region and Sales.
Then we will save the file as Export PDF to Excel.pdf.

Step-2: Export Data from PDF to Excel

Now, open your Excel workbook.
Then go to Data >> Get Data >> From File >> From PDF.

As a result, the Import Data window will appear.
Select the PDF file that you want to import into your Excel File. In our case, the name of the file is Export PDF to Excel.pdf.
Click on Import. Make sure to select All Files.

As a result, the Navigator window will be opened up.
By default, Excel will convert the PDF file into a table named Page001.
Select Page001 and you’ll see a preview of the table on the right.
Now click on Transform Data to edit the table.

Step-3: Format PDF Data Table in Power Query

Here, the first row of the table is not necessary. So we want to remove this row from this table.

To remove the first row, select Reduce Rows >> Remove Rows >> Remove Top Rows.

A window named Remove Top Rows will appear, asking how many rows from the top should be removed.
Enter 1 in the Number of Rows section since we want to remove the first row.
Click OK.

Step-4: Load Dataset in Excel

After entering the number of rows that should be removed, you will see the first row removed from the table.
Now select Close & Load to present this table in the Excel sheet.

Thus it will lead this data into an Excel sheet as a table.
You can customize it according to your own convenience as some data or text may not appear in the Excel file.

Thus you can export the pdf to Excel with some easy steps.

2. Export Data from PDF to Excel Through Microsoft Word

You can also export your data from PDF to Excel through Microsoft Word. In this section, we will take help from Microsoft Word to extract our data from the PDF to Excel worksheet. Our dataset is in a PDF called Export PDF to Excel.pdf. Let’s follow the below steps:

Select the dataset in the PDF file and press ‘Ctrl+C’ to copy the data.

Now, launch the Microsoft Word application and select the Blank document option.

Then, right-click on your mouse, and in the Paste option, choose Keep Source Formatting (K).

You will see the dataset from the pdf file in the Word file.
Now, click the Move Pointer icon, and press ‘Ctrl+C’ on your keyboard to copy the table.

In the Excel worksheet, select any cell and press ‘Ctrl+V’ to paste the dataset.
Next, create a suitable dataset title and use the Font, Alignment, and Style group in the ribbon to make it look like the PDF.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Will the exported Excel file retain the same formatting as the original PDF?

Depending on the conversion method and the PDF file’s complexity, the level of formatting preservation may vary. Simple tables and text formatting are more likely to be converted to Excel accurately. Complex layouts, images, and some formatting elements may not be precisely replicated in the Excel file.

2. Can I convert a scanned PDF to Excel?

Yes, you can convert a scanned PDF to Excel, but you’ll need optical character recognition (OCR) software. Using OCR software, text can be recognized from scanned images and converted into editable text. Online and offline PDF converters include OCR capabilities. You can upload the scanned PDF to one of these tools, and it will attempt to convert the scanned text into an Excel format.

3. Can I export multiple PDF files to Excel simultaneously?

Depending on the tool or method you use, you may be able to export multiple PDF files simultaneously. In some software applications, you can process files in batch mode or convert multiple files at once, while in others, you must convert files individually.

Key Takeaways from the Article

In this article, we have discussed everything you need to know about exporting pdf data to Excel.
We have shown every step in depth and in an easy way.
We have also explained how to export data from PDF through Microsoft Word.
Showed a step-by-step procedure of all methods.
Provide solutions to frequently asked questions by readers.

Conclusion

This article explains how to export a PDF to Excel in a simple and concise manner. Don’t forget to download the Practice file. Thank you for reading this article. We hope this was helpful. Please let us know in the comment section if you have any queries or suggestions. Please visit our website, ExcelDemy, a one-stop Excel solution provider, to explore more.

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