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15 April 2025  Jennifer Thatcher  Technology Manager of Test Dept.
Last update by James Smith at 15 April 2025

Summary
Learn how to use Google Drive and Google Docs for converting PDF files to Excel spreadsheets via Google Sheets, despite the lack of direct "Google PDF to Excel" functionality.



Table of contents

table iconUsing Google Drive, Docs and Sheets to convert PDF to Excel
table iconAlternative: Using Renee PDF Aide for batch convert and complex tasks
table iconAdditional Tips
table iconSummary
Converting a PDF file to an Excel spreadsheet can be a useful way to manipulate and analyze data. While Google Drive, Google Docs, and Google Sheets do not directly support this conversion, you can use a simple workaround to achieve the desired result. This guide will walk you through the steps to convert a PDF to an Excel file using Google’s tools.

Using Google Drive, Docs and Sheets to convert PDF to Excel

Step 1: Upload the PDF to Google Drive

1. Open Google Drive and Upload the PDF to Google Drive
upload pdf files to Google Drive
2. Right-click on the uploaded PDF in Google Drive and Select Open with > Google Docs.
Right-click on the uploaded PDF in Google Drive and Select Open with > Google Docs.
3. Google Docs will attempt to extract text and data from the PDF.
Please be aware that the converted formats might vary, particularly with complex tables. For optimal results, consider using third-party software for the conversion process.

Step 2: Copy the Data to Google Sheets

Once the PDF is opened in Google Docs, identify the table-like data you want to convert.
1. Highlight and copy the data (Ctrl+C or Cmd+C). Paste the Data into Google Sheets.
2. Open Google Sheets and Create a new spreadsheet or open an existing one.
3. Paste the copied data into the Google Sheets document (Ctrl+V or Cmd+V).
Adjust the rows and columns as needed to ensure proper organization.

Step 3: Export to Excel

In Google Sheets, go to the File menu and Select Download and then choose Microsoft Excel (.xlsx).
In Google Sheets, go to the File menu and Select Download and then choose Microsoft Excel (.xlsx).
Finally, the file will be downloaded to your computer in Excel format.

Alternative: Using Renee PDF Aide for batch convert and complex tasks

For a more efficient and feature-rich solution, consider using Renee PDF Aide. This software is easy to operate and can convert up to 80 pages/min. It supports conversion from PDF to Excel, Word, PowerPoint, ePub, Text, HTML, JPG, TIFF, and more. Renee PDF Aide integrates various functions including optimizing, repairing, and encrypting PDF files. Despite its diverse features, the interface is user-friendly and simple.
In addition, 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 – 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

Free TrialFree TrialNow 1335621 people have obtained the free version!

Usage Steps for Renee PDF Aide

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.
add excel files into renee pdf aide
Note: Click Options to set more requirements about the output files.
set more requirements
④ If your PDF file is a scanned copy, please select “Enable OCR” in location 3. If not, skip this step.
how to convert pdf to excel with renee pdf aide
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” button. After conversion, a prompt will display the total number of files converted, as well as the successful ones. The PDF is now converted into an Excel file. To access the result files, click the links in the “Status” column.
pdf to excel convert excel

Additional Tips

Complex Tables: For PDFs with complex tables, the conversion process may not be perfect. In such cases, consider using third-party tools like Adobe Acrobat or online PDF-to-Excel converters for more accurate results.
Third-Party Tools: If you need a more precise conversion, you can use tools like Adobe Acrobat, which offers advanced features for converting PDFs to Excel. There are also many online PDF-to-Excel converters available, such as Smallpdf, PDFTables, and others.

Summary

Converting a PDF to an Excel file using Google Drive and Docs is a straightforward process, though it may require some manual adjustments. By uploading the PDF to Google Drive, opening it with Google Docs, copying the data to Google Sheets, and then exporting it as an Excel file, you can effectively convert your PDF to a more manageable format. For more complex PDFs, consider using third-party tools like Renee PDF Aide for better accuracy and a more user-friendly experience.
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

Free TrialFree TrialNow 1335621 people have obtained the free version!