How to Convert PDF to Excel — Extract Tables from PDF

Why Convert PDF to Excel?

Reports, invoices, bank statements, and research data are often shared as PDFs — a format that locks data away. To analyze numbers, chart trends, or update figures, you need the data in an editable spreadsheet. Converting PDF to Excel saves hours of manual retyping and eliminates transcription errors.

How to Convert PDF to Excel Online for Free

Use our PDF to Excel converter: upload your PDF file, the tool extracts all tables and structured data, then download the result as a .xlsx file ready for Excel or Google Sheets.

💡 Best results come from: PDFs with real text layers (not scanned images). If your PDF is a scan, use OCR first to add a text layer before converting to Excel.

Types of PDFs and How They Affect Conversion

Text-based PDFs — exported from Excel, Word, or accounting software. These convert with high accuracy.
Scanned PDFs — photographs of printed documents. Conversion requires OCR, and accuracy varies based on scan quality.
Complex multi-column layouts — may produce less organized output. Manual cleanup in Excel is usually needed.

What Happens to Formatting?

PDF-to-Excel conversion focuses on extracting data values, not replicating visual formatting. Expect to lose colors, fonts, borders, and merged cells. The data (numbers, text, dates) should transfer correctly. You will likely need to reformat the spreadsheet for presentation purposes after conversion.

Can I Convert Excel to PDF?

Yes. Use our Excel to PDF converter to turn spreadsheets into PDF for sharing and printing. The converter preserves cell data, column headers, and basic formatting.