Effortless Ways to Convert PDF to Excel: The Only Guide You Need
12 July 2023 Senior Product Manager
Last update by Olivia Brown at 31 October 2025
Summary
This hands-on guide walks you through converting PDFs to Excel using trusted tools that preserve your data. It’s packed with practical solutions for fast, accurate, and hassle-free PDF-to-Excel conversions.
Table of contents
II. How to convert PDF to Excel- Method 1: Renee PDF Aide (Local Conversion, Accurate and Secure)
- Method 2: Excel's Built-in Import (Exclusive for M365 Subscribers)
- Method 3: PDF2Go (For Non-sensitive information processing)
- Method 4: Google Docs Indirect Conversion (For Minimal Needs)
- Method 5: Tabula (Open-Source Table Extraction Tool)
- Method 6: Adobe Acrobat Pro (Enterprise-Level Precise Solution)
- AI Assistants (When Formats Get Messy or Scanned)
Are you tired of staring at a PDF full of tables and numbers, wishing you could just crunch the data in a spreadsheet? If you’re searching for how to convert PDF to Excel to make editing, analyzing, or sharing easier—whether it’s financial statements from your bank or reports packed with stats—this guide has you covered. We’ll walk through reliable methods that preserve your data’s structure, from free tools to pro options, so you can get back to what matters.
What’s a PDF?
A PDF (Portable Document Format) is a file type created by Adobe that keeps your layout, fonts, and images looking the same on any device. It’s perfect for sharing documents that need to look consistent—like manuals, forms, eBooks, and reports.
What’s Excel?
Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet tool used to organize and analyze data. It supports formulas, charts, and automation with VBA. Excel files usually end in “.xlsx” and are widely used for budgets, reports, and financial models.
Which Excel Format is better
While PDFs are great for sharing static content, Excel files are built for dynamic data manipulation. That’s why converting between the two—especially when extracting tables or structured data from PDFs—is a common need in business, education, and data analysis. But not all Excel formats are created equal. Each one has its own strengths, limitations, and use cases.
Let’s break down the key Excel file types, what they’re best suited for, and which conversion methods are supported in this guide:
| File Format | Key Features | Typical Use Cases | Supported Conversion Methods |
|---|---|---|---|
| .xlsx | XML-based open format; supports over 1 million rows; retains formulas, charts, and formatting; no macros (safer); widely compatible. | Everyday spreadsheets, reports, budgets; ideal for sharing and editing without automation. | Renee PDF Aide, Excel’s built-in import, PDF2Go, Google Docs (indirect), Adobe Acrobat Pro |
| .csv | Plain text, comma-separated values; no formatting or formulas; easy to import/export. | Transferring raw data between apps; simple lists like contacts or sales records. | Renee PDF Aide, Tabula, Google Docs (indirect), Excel’s built-in import |
| .xlsm | Same as.xlsx but includes VBA macros; supports automation; prompts security warnings. | Dashboards, custom calculators, financial models with scripting. | Excel’s built-in import, Adobe Acrobat Pro |
| .xlsb | Binary format for faster performance; supports macros and large datasets; smaller file size. | Big data workbooks, complex models needing speed and efficiency. | Excel’s built-in import, Adobe Acrobat Pro |
| .xls | Legacy binary format; limited to 65,000 rows and 256 columns; basic formulas and charts. | Opening or sharing older files (pre-2007); compatibility with outdated systems. | PDF2Go |
For the best balance of power, privacy, and ease of use, we highly recommend Renee PDF Aide. This isn’t just another PDF converter; it’s a comprehensive desktop solution designed to handle complex data extraction tasks with precision.
It’s particularly powerful for extracting tables from both native and scanned PDFs thanks to its built-in advanced OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology. A key advantage is its versatility. It can convert your PDF tables directly into:
- Excel (*.xlsx)
- CSV (*.csv) (perfect for databases and data analysis)
- Markdown (ideal for AI training data or documentation)
- TXT files
- Editable Word documents*…and many other formats.
Because Renee PDF Aide runs locally on your machine, your sensitive documents never leave your computer, ensuring complete data privacy.
Renee PDF Aide – The Ultimate PDF2Excel Conversion Solution! (100 FREE Quota)
Versatile Convert to Word/Excel/PPT/Text/Image/Html/Epub
Secure 100% local conversions ensure zero risk of data leaks
Efficient Batch Process dozens of PDF files in seconds
Comprehensive Seamlessly convert PDFs to Excel, PowerPoint, Text, and more
OCR Support Extract Text from Scanned PDFs, Images & Embedded Fonts
Versatile Effortlessly convert XFA, multi
Secure 100% local conversions ensure zero risk of data leaks
Efficient Batch Process dozens of PDF files in seconds
Renee PDF Aide, easy to operate, converts up to 80 pages/min. It supports conversion from PDF to Excel/CSV, Word, PowerPoint, ePub, Text(txt/markdown), HTML, JPG, TIFF, and more.
In addition, this software integrates various functions including 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 and Images into editable formats and supports one-click batch conversion for efficiency, safety, and a free conversion experience.
Renee PDF Aide offers full support for the XFA format—a specialized PDF standard commonly used by banks and government agencies. In contrast, most conversion tools that lack XFA compatibility generate only an error page.
How to Extract Tables Using Renee PDF Aide
① After installing Renee PDF Aide, open it. Select “Convert PDF”.
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.
③ Select Your Output Format. On the top bar, choose your desired format. For tables, you’ll likely pick Excel, CSV in Excel tab; If you choose to convert to TXT, you may choose Markdown or TXT in TXT tab.
If you need to convert tables from a PDF file into ASCII format, Renee PDF Aide can handle that too.
Pro Tip: Click “Options” next to the output format. For Excel, this lets you decide whether to put all pages into one sheet or create separate sheets for each page—incredibly useful for large reports.
④ If your PDF file is a scanned copy (i.e., an image), please select “Enable OCR”. If your PDF is native (text-based), you can skip this step.
Understanding OCR 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 the “Convert” button. After conversion, a prompt will display the total number of files converted, as well as the successful ones. Your PDF table is now in a fully editable format. To access the result files, click the links in the “Status” column.
Renee PDF Aide provides a secure, fast, and highly accurate way to handle nearly any table extraction task you throw at it.
While Renee PDF Aide stands out for its local processing and features, there are other paths if you’re tied to specific setups or budgets. Let’s explore them next.
Renee PDF Aide – The Ultimate PDF2Excel Conversion Solution! (100 FREE Quota)
Versatile Convert to Word/Excel/PPT/Text/Image/Html/Epub
Secure 100% local conversions ensure zero risk of data leaks
Efficient Batch Process dozens of PDF files in seconds
Comprehensive Seamlessly convert PDFs to Excel, PowerPoint, Text, and more
OCR Support Extract Text from Scanned PDFs, Images & Embedded Fonts
Versatile Effortlessly convert XFA, multi
Secure 100% local conversions ensure zero risk of data leaks
Efficient Batch Process dozens of PDF files in seconds
If you’re using Microsoft 365, Excel has a built-in way to pull data straight from PDFs—no extra software needed. It uses Power Query to turn static tables into editable, refreshable spreadsheets. This works great for structured files like invoices or summaries, especially when you need to clean or update the data later.
Since it’s built into Excel, you can filter, reshape, and combine tables on the spot. Just keep in mind: it only works with text-based PDFs, not scanned ones, and you’ll need an active M365 subscription. For scanned documents, you may need add-ons or extra steps.
Advantages:
- Integrated with Excel for seamless workflow
- Refreshable connections to update data easily
- Built-in data cleaning tools like filtering and transforming
- No extra cost if you have M365
- Handles multiple pages and tables well
Disadvantages:
- Requires Microsoft 365 subscription
- Limited OCR for scanned PDFs without add-ons
- May need manual cleanup for complex layouts
- Not as accurate for non-tabular data
- Steeper learning curve for Power Query beginners
Steps to use this method:
1. Open Excel and go to the Data tab.
2. Click Data > From File > From PDF.
3. Browse to your PDF file and select Import. Excel will scan the file and show a Navigator window with detected tables or pages.
4. Preview the tables—check the ones you want, and use Transform Data if you need to edit (like removing headers or splitting columns). For multi-page PDFs, select multiple items to combine them.
5. Click Load to bring the data into your spreadsheet. If it’s a scanned PDF, you might need to enable OCR via add-ins or preprocess the file.
This built-in feature is perfect for M365 users looking for integration, but if you don’t have the subscription or need OCR-heavy conversions, the next online option might fit better.
Need a quick way to convert PDFs to Excel without installing anything? PDF2Go is a browser-based tool that works on phones, tablets, and computers. It’s fast, beginner-friendly, and offers free conversions to XLS or XLSX formats. For scanned files, you can enable OCR to make the text editable.
It also includes bonus features like compressing, merging, and protecting PDFs—all in one place. Files are encrypted during upload and deleted after processing, but since it’s cloud-based, keep privacy in mind. Free users may hit limits on file size or daily tasks, but for light use, it’s a solid, no-hassle option.
Advantages:
- Completely online, no installation needed
- Free basic use with OCR for scans
- Supports multiple formats like XLS/XLSX
- Mobile-friendly and easy interface
- Additional PDF tools included
Disadvantages:
- Free version has limits on files or tasks
- Potential privacy risks with uploads
- Slower for large files due to internet
- Ads or upsells in free mode
- May not handle very complex layouts perfectly
Steps to use this method:
1. Head to pdf2go.com/pdf-to-excel.
2. Upload your PDF by dragging it in, choosing from your device, or linking from cloud storage.
3. Pick your output: Excel 2007-2013 (.xlsx) or older (.xls).
4. If it’s scanned, enable OCR and select languages for better accuracy. Apply any other settings if needed.
5. Hit Start and wait for the conversion—then download your Excel file.
PDF2Go is ideal for quick, cost-free jobs, but if you’re after something even simpler without direct Excel output, consider the Google Docs route next.
If the flow from online tools feels abrupt, remember that while PDF2Go offers convenience, sometimes a familiar app like Google Docs can bridge the gap for basic tasks without extra sites.
Renee PDF Aide – The Ultimate PDF2Excel Conversion Solution! (100 FREE Quota)
Versatile Convert to Word/Excel/PPT/Text/Image/Html/Epub
Secure 100% local conversions ensure zero risk of data leaks
Efficient Batch Process dozens of PDF files in seconds
Comprehensive Seamlessly convert PDFs to Excel, PowerPoint, Text, and more
OCR Support Extract Text from Scanned PDFs, Images & Embedded Fonts
Versatile Effortlessly convert XFA, multi
Secure 100% local conversions ensure zero risk of data leaks
Efficient Batch Process dozens of PDF files in seconds
If you just need a quick, free way to pull data from a PDF, Google Docs can help—no software required. It’s not a direct converter, but by opening your PDF in Docs, you can copy tables or text into Google Sheets or export to Word and open in Excel. It works best for clean, text-based PDFs and is great for light edits or team sharing.
Just know it’s a manual process. Complex layouts, scanned files, or heavy formatting may not convert cleanly, and there’s no built-in OCR. Still, for basic tasks, it’s a handy workaround.
Advantages:
- Totally free with Google account
- Cloud access from any device
- Collaborative editing
- Integrates with Google Sheets
- Simple for basic text extraction
Disadvantages:
- Indirect process, not one-click
- Poor with scanned PDFs (no OCR)
- Often loses formatting or tables
- Manual copying required
- Limited for complex documents
Follow these steps:
1. Upload your PDF to Google Drive.
2. Right-click the file and choose Open with > Google Docs. It’ll convert to an editable Doc.
3. Select and copy the tables or data you need.
4. Paste into a new Google Sheet (go to sheets.google.com), or download the Doc as.xlsx and open in Excel. For scans, you might need to retype or use another tool first.
5. Adjust formatting in Sheets/Excel as needed.
This indirect trick works for everyday simplicity, but if open-source appeals and you want precise table pulls, Tabula is up next.
Tabula is an open-source gem built by journalists for anyone wrestling data from PDFs, focusing on pulling out tables into CSVs or Excel-ready formats. It’s free, runs locally via Java, and doesn’t send your files anywhere—ideal for sensitive info. The interface is straightforward: upload your PDF, draw boxes around tables, and export. It excels at text-based PDFs, accurately detecting rows and columns without fluff.
Since it’s community-driven, you can tweak the code on GitHub if needed. For reporters or analysts dealing with reports, it’s a time-saver, handling multi-page docs well. But it skips OCR, so scanned images won’t work; you’ll need to preprocess those. Also, Java setup might trip up non-techies, and it’s table-only—no full doc conversion. Despite that, for pure table extraction, it’s reliable and cost-free, making it a strong pick for targeted tasks.
Note: Tabula, the open-source tool for extracting tables from PDFs, officially stopped receiving updates on June 4, 2018 (final version: 1.2.1). For more advanced or actively maintained features, Camelot may be a better alternative.
Advantages:
- Free and open-source
- Local processing for privacy
- Accurate for text-based tables
- Simple drag-to-select
- Exports to CSV/Excel easily
Disadvantages:
- No OCR for scans
- Requires Java install
- Manual selection per table
- Limited to tables only
- Outdated UI in older versions
Get started with these steps:
1. Download, install, and run Tabula (it will open in your web browser, but it’s still running locally).
2. Extract the zip file.
3. Go into the folder you just extracted. Run the “Tabula” program inside.
4. web browser will open. If it doesn’t, open your web browser, and go to http://localhost:8080.
5. Click “Browse” to upload your PDF file and then “Import”.
6. Once the PDF loads, click and drag your mouse to draw a box around the table you want to extract.
7. Click “Preview & Export Extracted Data”.
8. Review the data. If it looks correct, choose your export format (e.g., CSV) and click “Export”.
Tabula’s precision for tables is hard to beat for free, but for enterprise polish with OCR, Adobe Acrobat Pro wraps things up.
Renee PDF Aide – The Ultimate PDF2Excel Conversion Solution! (100 FREE Quota)
Versatile Convert to Word/Excel/PPT/Text/Image/Html/Epub
Secure 100% local conversions ensure zero risk of data leaks
Efficient Batch Process dozens of PDF files in seconds
Comprehensive Seamlessly convert PDFs to Excel, PowerPoint, Text, and more
OCR Support Extract Text from Scanned PDFs, Images & Embedded Fonts
Versatile Effortlessly convert XFA, multi
Secure 100% local conversions ensure zero risk of data leaks
Efficient Batch Process dozens of PDF files in seconds
Adobe Acrobat Pro is a powerhouse for professional PDF handling, including spot-on conversions to Excel. It’s trusted in businesses for its accuracy, especially with complex files—think multi-page tables or forms. The tool uses smart export features to keep rows, columns, and even formulas intact where possible. With built-in OCR, it tackles scanned PDFs, turning images into editable text seamlessly.
Cross-platform support means it works on Windows, macOS, or mobile, and integrates with other Adobe apps for workflows. For enterprises, features like batch processing and security options add value. However, the price tag is steep, making it overkill for casual users. Subscriptions can add up, and the interface might overwhelm beginners. Still, if quality and reliability are priorities, it’s a top-tier choice that delivers consistent results.
Advantages:
- Highly accurate with formatting preserved
- Built-in OCR for scans
- Batch and enterprise features
- Cross-platform and secure
- Integrates with Adobe suite
Disadvantages:
- Expensive subscription
- Overkill for simple tasks
- Learning curve for full features
- Resource-heavy on older machines
- Not free like online alternatives
The steps are clear:
1. Open your PDF in Acrobat Pro.
2. Click Export PDF in the right pane.
3. Choose Spreadsheet > Microsoft Excel Workbook.
4. Tweak settings if needed, like enabling OCR for scans or adjusting layouts.
5. Hit Export, pick a save spot, and name the file—Acrobat handles the rest.
With these methods in mind, you now have a toolkit for any PDF to Excel scenario. But sometimes, editing goes beyond conversion.
Online converters and local softwares are great in a pinch for PDF files. But what if your PDF is a scanned image, or contains complex, multi-column tables that these tools just can’t handle well? That’s where AI-powered assistants like Copilot, ChatGPT, or Grok come in.
ChatGPT: Use GPT-4o’s built-in OCR for seamless PDF handling without manual conversion; export tables directly to Markdown via the Canvas feature for quick edits.
These tools can analyze scanned documents or screenshots, recognize table structures using OCR (Optical Character Recognition), and generate clean, editable Markdown tables. This is especially useful when:
- You’re working with image-based PDFs or screenshots of tables.
- You need to preserve formatting but don’t want to deal with Excel.
- You want to embed tables directly into Markdown-based documentation or websites.
🔍 AI Tool Comparison: PDF to Markdown Table Conversion
| Tool | PDF Input Support | Scanned Image OCR | Free Tier Limits | Paid Tier Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copilot | ✅ Screenshots only (no direct PDF upload) | ✅ OCR via image input | ⚠️ One image per message; no PDF upload | ✅ Unlimited image input; faster processing; better formatting fidelity |
| ChatGPT | ✅ PDF and image input (GPT-4o only) | ✅ Strong OCR and layout parsing | ⚠️ GPT-3.5 only; no image/PDF support | ✅ GPT-4o access with image/PDF support; enhanced OCR and formatting |
| Grok | ✅ Screenshots or pasted content | ✅ Improved OCR in Grok 3 | ✅ Grok AI is now free for all X users with limited access | ✅ Grok 3/4 tiers unlock extended memory (256K tokens), voice access, image model (Imagine), and AI companions (Ani & Valentine); replaces Think and DeepSearch features |
How to Use AI Tools for Table Extraction:
1. Take a screenshot or crop the table from your PDF or image.
2. Upload the image to an AI assistant that supports OCR and Markdown generation (e.g., Copilot with image input).
3. Ask the assistant to “Convert this table into Markdown format.” or “Please extract text fro this PDF file.”
4. Review and copy the generated Markdown table into your document or editor.
These AI tools are especially helpful when traditional converters fail or when you need more control over formatting. Plus, they don’t require uploading your files to third-party servers—many run locally or within secure environments.
Try them out:
Beyond converting formats and running OCR, everyday PDF edits often include merging, splitting, adding watermarks, and rotating pages. For a faster, all-in-one solution, try Renee PDF Aide. Its PDF Tools module covers nearly everything you need.
Renee PDF Aide – The Ultimate PDF2Excel Conversion Solution! (100 FREE Quota)
Versatile Convert to Word/Excel/PPT/Text/Image/Html/Epub
Secure 100% local conversions ensure zero risk of data leaks
Efficient Batch Process dozens of PDF files in seconds
Comprehensive Seamlessly convert PDFs to Excel, PowerPoint, Text, and more
OCR Support Extract Text from Scanned PDFs, Images & Embedded Fonts
Versatile Effortlessly convert XFA, multi
Secure 100% local conversions ensure zero risk of data leaks
Efficient Batch Process dozens of PDF files in seconds
Once installed, open Renee PDF Aide and click the PDF Toolset tab. From the top menu, you can choose from a range of editing options—like repair, optimize, split, merge, rotate, encrypt/decrypt, watermark, and image to PDF. You can also process multiple files at once, making batch edits quick and efficient.
PDF Tools Overview
- Repair – Fix corrupted or unreadable PDF files.
- Optimization – Compress large files and improve loading speed.
- Segmentation – Split multi-page PDFs into separate files or extract specific pages.
- Merge – Combine multiple PDFs into one, with control over page selection.
- Rotation – Change page orientation as needed.
- Encrypt/Decrypt – Add or remove password protection.
- Watermark – Insert custom watermarks using text, images, or other PDFs.
- Image to PDF – Convert one or more images into a single PDF file.
How do I convert a scanned PDF to Excel?
Scanned PDFs need OCR to recognize text. Renee PDF Aide excels here with its modes for images or fonts—select “Enable OCR” during conversion, pick the language, and it turns your bank statement scan into editable cells. Online options like PDF2Go also offer free OCR, but for accuracy on detailed docs, paid tools like Adobe Acrobat Pro might handle edges better without garbled characters.
Why does my converted Excel file have formatting issues?
Formatting glitches often happen because PDFs aren’t structured like spreadsheets—merged cells or images can throw things off. For example, if a table spans pages, tools might split it oddly. Try Renee PDF Aide’s options to create separate sheets per page, or use Power Query in Excel to transform data post-import, like unpivoting columns manually for cleaner results.
Can I batch convert PDFs to Excel?
Yes, many tools support batches. In Renee PDF Aide, add multiple files at once, set formats, and convert in one go—great for monthly reports. Adobe Acrobat Pro also handles batches efficiently. Free options like Tabula require one-by-one, but for volume, premium features save hours without repeating steps.
Is it safe to use online PDF converters for sensitive data?
Online tools like PDF2Go use encryption, but risks exist since files upload to servers. For confidential info, like tax forms, stick to local software such as Renee PDF Aide, which processes everything on your device—no cloud involved. Always check privacy policies and avoid public Wi-Fi for uploads.
What if my PDF has XFA forms—will it convert properly?
XFA is tricky for most tools, often resulting in errors. Renee PDF Aide supports it fully, converting bank or government forms without blanks. Others like Adobe might work, but test first; free online converters usually fail here, so opt for dedicated software.
We’ve covered a range of ways to tackle how to convert PDF to Excel, from free online hacks to pro setups. Results can vary—some mess up tables—but in our checks, Renee PDF Aide nailed it, keeping formats intact even on tough files. It also packs extra editing tools for all-around use.
Renee PDF Aide – The Ultimate PDF2Excel Conversion Solution! (100 FREE Quota)
Versatile Convert to Word/Excel/PPT/Text/Image/Html/Epub
Secure 100% local conversions ensure zero risk of data leaks
Efficient Batch Process dozens of PDF files in seconds
Comprehensive Seamlessly convert PDFs to Excel, PowerPoint, Text, and more
OCR Support Extract Text from Scanned PDFs, Images & Embedded Fonts
Versatile Effortlessly convert XFA, multi
Secure 100% local conversions ensure zero risk of data leaks
Efficient Batch Process dozens of PDF files in seconds
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