Two ways to convert a file from PDF to Excel

2023 Author: Charles Carter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-22 02:05

PDF is the most common format used for reading documents. However, this format is not intended for data editing. Of course, some manipulations with the document can be done, but often the tools are not enough for serious work.

Fortunately, you can convert a PDF to Excel and continue editing in Microsoft's spreadsheet editor. This article will just tell you how to complete the task.

Ways to convert PDF to Excel

In total, there are two ways to convert a file from PDF to Excel. The first involves the use of special applications for reading. The second is specialized software. Consider each in detail.

Method 1: Using Reading Apps

It's worth saying right away that this method of converting a file from PDF to Excel is the least popular. Although some of the data is not lost during conversion, the style of the text is lost. But it's still worth considering.

So, to complete the task, it is necessaryhave a PDF reader installed on your computer. In this case, we will use Adobe Acrobat Reader. Here's what you need to do:

1. Run the specified program.
2. On the top bar, click the "File" button.
3. In the menu that appears, select "Open".
4. In the new "Explorer" window, navigate to the folder with the PDF file and double-click on it.

The file will be opened in the program. Now it needs to be converted to text. That is, convert to TXT format. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Press the "File" button again.
2. In the menu, hover over "Save As Other".
3. In the submenu that appears, click on the "Text" line.
4. In the "Explorer" window that appears, navigate to the folder where you want to save the file.
5. Press the "Save" button.

Now you can proceed directly to placing data from PDF into Excel. To do this, do the following:

1. Use Notepad to open the previously saved file.
2. Select all or part of the text you want to put in Excel.
3. Press the right mouse button and select "Copy".
4. Start Excel program.
5. Place the cursor in cell "A1".
6. Press PUM and select the first item in the "Paste Options" group.
7. Select entire columnA.
8. Go to the "Data" tab.
9. Click on the panel on the button "Text in columns".
10. In the window that appears, check "With separators" and click "Next".
11. In the second step, mark the separator character "space" and click "Next".
12. On the third step, in the "Data format" block, set the switch to the "text" position.
13. In the line "Place in" write $A$1.
14. Click Done.

Now you know how to convert a file from PDF to Excel. This is a rather laborious method and may not be suitable for everyone.

Method 2: using third-party programs

There is a special PDF to Excel converter. The task at hand is much easier to accomplish. We will consider the program Total PDF Converter:

1. Start the program.
2. On the left panel, navigate to the PDF file folder.
3. All documents will appear in the central part of the window. Tick the one you want.
4. On the top bar, press the XLS button.
5. In the window that appears, specify the folder where to save the modified file.
6. Click "Start".

A window will appear showing the conversion progress. You need to wait for it to complete and then close the program. The converted file will be located in the folder you specified in step 5instructions.