PDF to Excel: The Best Free Solutions for Converting Your PDF Data to Excel
How to Convert PDF Text to Excel for Free
PDF and Excel are two of the most widely used file formats in the world. They are both useful for storing and sharing data, but they have different purposes and features. Sometimes, you may need to convert PDF text to Excel, either to edit the data, analyze it, or use it for other purposes. But how can you do that without paying for expensive software or compromising the quality of your files?
Convert Pdf Text To Excel Free
In this article, we will show you how to convert PDF text to Excel for free, using both online and offline tools. We will also explain what PDF and Excel are, why you may want to convert them, and some tips and tricks for getting the best results. Let's get started!
What is PDF and Excel?
Before we dive into the conversion process, let's first understand what PDF and Excel are and how they differ from each other.
PDF: A Portable Document Format
PDF stands for Portable Document Format. It is a file format that preserves the layout, formatting, fonts, images, and graphics of any document, regardless of the application or platform used to create it. PDF files can be viewed, printed, and shared easily, without losing any quality or information. They are also secure and can be encrypted, signed, or password-protected.
PDF files are ideal for presenting and distributing documents that do not need to be edited or modified by others. For example, you can use PDF files for reports, invoices, contracts, manuals, flyers, brochures, etc.
Excel: A Spreadsheet Application
Excel is a spreadsheet application that is part of the Microsoft Office suite. It allows you to create and work with tables of data, perform calculations, create charts and graphs, apply formulas and functions, sort and filter data, and more. Excel files can be saved in various formats, such as .xls, .xlsx, .csv, .xml, etc.
Excel files are ideal for storing and analyzing data that needs to be manipulated or processed by others. For example, you can use Excel files for budgets, sales records, inventory lists, financial statements, etc.
Why Convert PDF Text to Excel?
Now that you know what PDF and Excel are, you may wonder why you would need to convert one to another. There are several reasons why you may want to convert PDF text to Excel:
Benefits of Converting PDF Text to Excel
You can edit the data in the PDF file more easily in Excel. For example, you can change the values, add or delete rows or columns, apply formulas or functions, etc.
You can analyze the data in the PDF file more effectively in Excel. For example, you can create charts and graphs, perform statistical analysis, use pivot tables or slicers, etc.
You can use the data in the PDF file for other purposes in Excel. For example, you can import or export the data to other applications or platforms, such as databases or web services.
Challenges of Converting PDF Text to Excel
You may lose some quality or formatting of the PDF file when converting PDF text to Excel. For example, you may lose some fonts, colors, images, or alignment of the text.
You may encounter some errors or inconsistencies in the data in the PDF file when converting it to Excel. For example, you may have missing or duplicated data, incorrect or mixed data types, or wrong decimal separators.
You may need to adjust the formatting or layout of the Excel file after converting it from PDF. For example, you may need to resize or merge cells, apply borders or shading, or change the orientation or margins of the page.
Therefore, it is important to choose the right tool and method for converting PDF text to Excel, and to check and correct the output file before using it.
How to Convert PDF Text to Excel Online for Free
One of the easiest and fastest ways to convert PDF text to Excel is to use an online tool that can do the job for you. There are many online tools that can convert PDF text to Excel for free, without requiring you to download or install any software. However, not all online tools are equally reliable or accurate, so you need to be careful and compare the features and limitations of each tool before using it. Here are some of the most popular and trusted online tools that can convert PDF text to Excel for free:
Adobe Acrobat Online Services
Adobe Acrobat Online Services is the official online tool from Adobe, the creator of PDF. It allows you to convert PDF files to Excel files in a few simple steps:
Click on "Select a file" and choose the PDF file that you want to convert from your computer, Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive.
Sign in with your Adobe ID, Google account, or Apple ID, or create a new account for free.
Wait for the tool to upload and convert your PDF file to an Excel file.
Download the converted Excel file to your computer or save it to your cloud storage.
Some of the advantages of using Adobe Acrobat Online Services are:
It preserves the formatting and quality of your PDF file as much as possible.
It supports OCR (optical character recognition) for scanned PDFs.
It allows you to convert up to 10 PDF files per month for free.
Some of the disadvantages of using Adobe Acrobat Online Services are:
You need to sign in with an account to use it.
You need an internet connection to use it.
You have limited control over the conversion settings and options.
Smallpdf
Smallpdf is another popular online tool that can convert PDF files to Excel files for free. It is simple and easy to use, and it offers some additional features and options. Here is how you can use Smallpdf to convert PDF text to Excel:
Drag and drop the PDF file that you want to convert into the box, or click on "Choose Files" and select it from your computer, Google Drive, or Dropbox.
Wait for the tool to upload and process your PDF file.
Select whether you want to convert your PDF file into an Excel workbook (.xlsx) or a comma-separated values file (.csv).
Select whether you want to extract all pages or specific pages from your PDF file.
Select whether you want to use OCR for scanned PDFs (available for Pro users only).
Click on "Convert" and wait for the tool to convert your PDF file into an Excel file.
Download the converted Excel file to your computer or save it to your cloud storage.
Some of the advantages of using Smallpdf are:
It is fast and user-friendly.
It allows you to choose the output format and pages of your Excel file.
It supports OCR for scanned PDFs (for Pro users only).
It allows you to compress, merge, split, edit, or sign your PDF files before or after converting them (for Pro users only).
Some of the disadvantages of using Smallpdf are:
You need an internet connection to use it.
You can only convert two PDF files per hour for free.
You need a Pro subscription ($9 per month or $108 per year) to access all the features and options of the tool.
You have to trust the tool with your data and privacy, as it may store or share your files with third parties.
Other Online Tools
Besides Adobe Acrobat Online Services and Smallpdf, there are many other online tools that can convert PDF text to Excel for free. Some of them are:
PDF2Excel: A simple and fast online tool that can convert PDF files to Excel files without any registration or installation.
PDFtoExcel.com: A powerful and accurate online tool that can convert PDF files to Excel files with advanced options and features.
Zamzar: A versatile and reliable online tool that can convert PDF files to Excel files, as well as many other file formats.
However, before using any online tool, you should always check its reputation, security, quality, and limitations, and compare it with other tools to find the best one for your needs.
How to Convert PDF Text to Excel Offline for Free
If you prefer to convert PDF text to Excel offline, without relying on any internet connection or online tool, you can use some software or applications that can do the job for you. There are some software or applications that can convert PDF text to Excel for free, without requiring you to pay for any license or subscription. However, not all software or applications are equally compatible or efficient, so you need to be careful and test the performance and results of each software or application before using it. Here are some of the most popular and trusted software or applications that can convert PDF text to Excel offline for free:
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word is a word processor that is part of the Microsoft Office suite. It allows you to create and edit documents, as well as convert them to other file formats. If you have Microsoft Word installed on your computer, you can use it to convert PDF text to Excel offline for free. Here is how you can do it:
Open Microsoft Word on your computer.
Click on "File" and then "Open".
Select the PDF file that you want to convert from your computer.
Click on "OK" and wait for Microsoft Word to open and convert your PDF file into a Word document.
Click on "File" and then "Save As".
Select the location where you want to save your converted file.
Select "Excel Workbook (.xlsx)" as the file type from the drop-down menu.
Click on "Save" and wait for Microsoft Word to save your converted file as an Excel file.
Some of the advantages of using Microsoft Word are:
It is easy and convenient to use.
It preserves the formatting and quality of your PDF file as much as possible.
It supports OCR for scanned PDFs.
Some of the disadvantages of using Microsoft Word are:
You need to have Microsoft Word installed on your computer.
You may lose some data or formatting of your PDF file when converting it to Excel.
You have limited control over the conversion settings and options.
LibreOffice Calc
LibreOffice Calc is a spreadsheet application that is part of the LibreOffice suite. It allows you to create and work with tables of data, perform calculations, create charts and graphs, apply formulas and functions, sort and filter data, and more. LibreOffice Calc is a free and open source software that can be downloaded and installed on any computer. You can use it to convert PDF text to Excel offline for free. Here is how you can do it:
Download and install LibreOffice Calc on your computer from https://www.libreoffice.org/download/download/
Open LibreOffice Calc on your computer.
Click on "File" and then "Open".
Select the PDF file that you want to convert from your computer.
Click on "Open" and wait for LibreOffice Calc to open and convert your PDF file into a Calc spreadsheet.
Click on "File" and then "Save As".
Select the location where you want to save your converted file.
Select "Microsoft Excel 2007-2019 (.xlsx)" as the file type from the drop-down menu.
Click on "Save" and wait for LibreOffice Calc to save your converted file as an Excel file.
Some of the advantages of using LibreOffice Calc are:
It is free and open source.
It supports various file formats, including PDF and Excel.
It allows you to edit and customize your spreadsheet before or after converting it.
Some of the disadvantages of using LibreOffice Calc are:
You need to download and install LibreOffice Calc on your computer.
You may lose some quality or formatting of your PDF file when converting it to Excel.
You may encounter some compatibility issues with Microsoft Excel files.
Other Offline Tools
Besides Microsoft Word and LibreOffice Calc, there are some other offline tools that can convert PDF text to Excel for free. Some of them are:
PDFelement: A powerful and professional PDF editor that can convert PDF files to Excel files, as well as many other file formats.
PDFMate PDF Converter Free: A simple and easy-to-use PDF converter that can convert PDF files to Excel files, as well as many other file formats.
UniPDF: A fast and accurate PDF converter that can convert PDF files to Excel files, as well as many other file formats.
However, before using any offline tool, you should always check its reputation, security, quality, and limitations, and compare it with other tools to find the best one for your needs.
Tips and Tricks for Converting PDF Text to Excel
Now that you know how to convert PDF text to Excel online and offline for free, you may want to know some tips and tricks for getting the best results. Here are some of them:
Check the Quality of the PDF File
The quality of the PDF file that you want to convert will affect the quality of the Excel file that you will get. Therefore, you should always check the quality of the PDF file before converting it. Some of the things that you should check are:
The resolution and clarity of the text and images in the PDF file.
The layout and formatting of the text and tables in the PDF file.
The language and encoding of the text in the PDF file.
The size and type of the PDF file.
If you find any issues or errors in the PDF file, you should try to fix them before converting it. For example, you can use a PDF editor or compressor to improve the quality of the PDF file.
Use OCR for Scanned PDFs
If the PDF file that you want to convert is a scanned document, you will need to use OCR (optical character recognition) to extract the text from it. OCR is a technology that can recognize and convert printed or handwritten text into editable text. Without OCR, your scanned PDF file will be treated as an image, and you will not be able to convert it to Excel.
Some of the online and offline tools that we mentioned above support OCR for scanned PDFs. However, not all of them offer this feature for free, or with high accuracy. Therefore, you should always check if the tool that you use has OCR, and how well it works. You can also use a separate OCR tool to convert your scanned PDF file into a text-based PDF file before converting it to Excel.
Adjust the Formatting of the Excel File
After converting your PDF file into an Excel file, you may need to adjust the formatting or layout of the Excel file to make it more readable or usable. Some of the things that you may need to adjust are:
The size and alignment of the cells in the Excel file.
The fonts, colors, styles, and borders of the text in the Excel file.
The data types, formats, and separators of the values in the Excel file.
The formulas, functions, and references in the Excel file.
The charts, graphs, and images in the Excel file.
You can use any spreadsheet application or editor to adjust the formatting of your Excel file. You can also use some online tools or services to help you with this task. For example, you can use Excel Online, Google Sheets, or Zoho Sheet to edit your Excel file online for free.
Conclusion and FAQs
In this article, we have shown you how to convert PDF text to Excel for free, using both online and offline tools. We have also explained what PDF and Excel are, why you may want to convert them, and some tips and tricks for getting the best results. We hope that this article has been helpful and informative for you, and that you have learned something new and useful. If you have any questions or doubts about converting PDF text to Excel, you may find the answers in the following FAQs. If not, feel free to leave a comment below or contact us directly. We will be happy to assist you. FAQs
What is the best tool for converting PDF text to Excel?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as different tools may have different features, advantages, and disadvantages. The best tool for converting PDF text to Excel depends on your needs, preferences, and budget. However, some of the factors that you may want to consider when choosing a tool are:
The quality and accuracy of the conversion.
The speed and ease of use of the tool.
The security and privacy of your data.
The availability and cost of the tool.
The compatibility and support of the tool.
You can use the online and offline tools that we have mentioned in this article as a reference, or you can search for other tools that may suit your needs better.
How can I convert PDF text to Excel without losing formatting?
It is not always possible to convert PDF text to Excel without losing any formatting, as PDF and Excel are different file formats with different features and capabilities. However, you can try to minimize the loss of formatting by using some of the following tips:
Use a high-quality PDF file that has clear and consistent text and layout.
Use a reliable and accurate tool that can preserve the formatting of your PDF file as much as possible.
Use OCR for scanned PDFs to extract the text from them.
Adjust the formatting of your Excel file after converting it from PDF.
How can I convert PDF text to Excel for free on Mac?
If you want to convert PDF text to Excel for free on Mac, you can use some of the online tools that we have mentioned in this article, such as Adobe Acrobat Online Services, Smallpdf, or Zamzar. These tools are compatible with any browser and operating system, including Mac. You just need an internet connection and a web browser to use them.
If you want to convert PDF text to Excel offline on Mac, you can use some of the software or applications that we have mentioned in this article, such as LibreOffice Calc or PDFelement. These software or applications are available for Mac users, and you can download and install them on your Mac computer. You just need enough space and memory to run them.
How can I convert PDF text to Excel for free on Android?
If you want to convert PDF text to Excel for free on Android, you can use some of the online tools that we have mentioned in this article, such as Adobe Acrobat Online Services, Smallpdf, or Zamzar. These tools are compatible with any browser and device, including Android. You just need an internet connection and a web browser to use them.
If you want to convert PDF text to Excel offline on Android, you can use some of the apps that are available on Google Play Store, such as PDF Converter, PDF Reader, or PDF Utils. These apps can convert PDF files to Excel files, as well as many other file formats. You just need enough space and memory to install and run them.
How can I convert PDF text to Excel for free on iPhone?
If you want to convert PDF text to Excel for free on iPhone, you can use some of the online tools that we have mentioned i