When it comes to working with documents, the ability to convert them from one format to another is crucial. PDFs and Excel spreadsheets are commonly used formats, and being able to convert between them can save a lot of time and effort. In this article, we will look at several ways to convert PDF to Excel and vice versa, both online and offline.
Converting PDF to Excel
Converting PDF files to Excel is a common task, and there are several ways to do it. Here are nine ways to convert PDF to Excel, both online and offline.
1. Adobe Acrobat Pro DC (Offline)
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC is a powerful software for working with PDFs, and it includes a feature for converting PDF files to Excel spreadsheets. To convert a PDF to Excel using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, follow these steps:
- Open the PDF file in Adobe Acrobat Pro DC.
- Click on the “Export PDF” tool in the right pane.
- Select “Spreadsheet” as the export format.
- Click “Export.”
- Save the Excel file.
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC is a paid software, but it has a free trial that can be used to test the PDF to Excel conversion feature.
2. Google Drive (Online)
Google Drive is a cloud-based storage and productivity platform that includes a spreadsheet app, Google Sheets. Google Sheets can open and convert PDF files to Excel format. To convert PDF to Excel using Google Drive, follow these steps:
- Upload the PDF file to Google Drive.
- Right-click on the PDF file and select “Open with” > “Google Sheets.”
- Google Sheets will automatically convert the PDF file to an editable spreadsheet.
- Save the file as an Excel file.
Google Drive is a free platform, but it requires an internet connection to use.
3. Smallpdf (Online)
Smallpdf is an online platform for working with PDFs, and it includes a PDF to Excel converter. To convert PDF to Excel using Smallpdf, follow these steps:
- Go to https://smallpdf.com/pdf-to-excel.
- Drag and drop the PDF file into the upload box.
- Smallpdf will automatically convert the PDF file to an Excel spreadsheet.
- Download the Excel file.
Smallpdf is a free platform, but it has some limitations for free users, such as a file size limit and a limited number of conversions per day.
4. Convertio (Online)
Convertio is an online file conversion platform that supports a wide range of file formats, including PDF and Excel. To convert PDF to Excel using Convertio, follow these steps:
- Go to https://convertio.co/pdf-excel/.
- Upload the PDF file.
- Select “Excel” as the output format.
- Click “Convert.”
- Download the Excel file.
Convertio is a freemium platform, which means that some features are only available for paid users.
5. Zamzar (Online)
Zamzar is another online file conversion platform that supports PDF to Excel conversion. To convert PDF to Excel using Zamzar, follow these steps:
- Go to https://www.zamzar.com/convert/pdf-to-excel/.
- Upload the PDF file.
- Select “Excel” as the output format.
- Enter your email address to receive the download link.
- Click “Convert.”
Zamzar is a freemium platform, and some features are only available for paid users.
6. Able2Extract Professional (Offline)
Able2Extract Professional is a powerful PDF conversion software that can convert PDF files to various formats, including Excel. To convert PDF to Excel using Able2Extract Professional, follow these steps:
- Open the PDF file in Able2Extract Professional.
- Select the Excel conversion option.
- Customize the output by selecting the specific pages or areas to convert.
- Click “Convert.”
- Save the Excel file.
Able2Extract Professional is a paid software, but it has a free trial that can be used to test its PDF to Excel conversion feature.
7. Nitro Pro (Offline)
Nitro Pro is a comprehensive PDF software that includes a PDF to Excel converter. To convert PDF to Excel using Nitro Pro, follow these steps:
- Open the PDF file in Nitro Pro.
- Click on the “Convert” tab.
- Select “To Excel” as the output format.
- Customize the output by selecting the specific pages or areas to convert.
- Click “Convert.”
- Save the Excel file.
Nitro Pro is a paid software, but it has a free trial that can be used to test its PDF to Excel conversion feature.
8. Investintech PDF to Excel Converter (Online)
Investintech PDF to Excel Converter is an online platform for converting PDF files to Excel format. To convert PDF to Excel using Investintech PDF to Excel Converter, follow these steps:
- Go to https://www.investintech.com/pdf-to-excel/.
- Upload the PDF file.
- Click “Start.”
- Customize the output by selecting the specific pages or areas to convert.
- Click “Convert.”
- Download the Excel file.
Investintech PDF to Excel Converter is a freemium platform, and some features are only available for paid users.
9. Adobe Export PDF (Online)
Adobe Export PDF is an online platform for quickly and easily converting PDF files to various formats, including Excel. To convert PDF to Excel using Adobe Export PDF, follow these steps:
- Go to https://www.adobe.com/products/exportpdf.html.
- Click “Select PDF to convert.”
- Select the PDF file to convert.
- Select “Excel” as the output format.
- Click “Convert to Excel.”
- Download the Excel file.
Adobe Export PDF is a paid platform, but it has a free trial that can be used to test its PDF to Excel conversion feature.
Converting Excel to PDF
Converting Excel sheets to PDF is also a common task, and there are several ways to do it. Here are three ways to convert Excel to PDF.
1. Microsoft Excel (Offline)
Microsoft Excel is a powerful spreadsheet software that includes a “Save as PDF” feature. To convert an Excel sheet to PDF using Microsoft Excel, follow these steps:
- Open the Excel file in Microsoft Excel.
- Click on “File” > “Save As.”
- Select “PDF” as the file format.
- Select the location to save the PDF file.
- Click “Save.”
Microsoft Excel is a paid software, but it is available as part of Microsoft Office, which has a free trial that can be used to test the Excel to PDF conversion feature.
2. Online Converters (Online)
Many online file conversion platforms, such as Smallpdf, Convertio, and Zamzar, also support Excel to PDF conversion.
3. Virtual Printers (Offline)
Virtual printers are software that simulate a physical printer and allow users to “print” files to PDF format. Here are two virtual printers that can be used to convert Excel sheets to PDF:
a. PDFCreator
PDFCreator is a free virtual printer that can generate PDF files from any program that has a print function, including Microsoft Excel. To convert an Excel sheet to PDF using PDFCreator, follow these steps:
- Download and install PDFCreator from https://www.pdfforge.org/pdfcreator.
- Open the Excel file in Microsoft Excel.
- Click “File” > “Print.”
- Select “PDFCreator” as the printer.
- Click “Print.”
- PDFCreator will prompt you to save the PDF file.
b. CutePDF Writer
CutePDF Writer is another free virtual printer that can create PDF files from any program that has a print function. To convert an Excel sheet to PDF using CutePDF Writer, follow these steps:
- Download and install CutePDF Writer from https://www.cutepdf.com/Products/CutePDF/writer.asp.
- Open the Excel file in Microsoft Excel.
- Click “File” > “Print.”
- Select “CutePDF Writer” as the printer.
- Click “Print.”
- CutePDF Writer will prompt you to save the PDF file.
FAQ
1. Can I edit a PDF file after converting it to Excel?
Yes, you can edit the PDF file after converting it to Excel, but the quality of the conversion depends on the complexity and structure of the original PDF file. In general, text and numbers are converted accurately, but formatting, images, and tables may need some adjustments.
2. Can I convert multiple PDF files to Excel at the same time?
Yes, some of the software and online platforms we mentioned in this article support batch conversion, which means that you can convert multiple PDF files to Excel in one go. However, batch conversion may take more time and resources, depending on the size and complexity of the PDF files.
