In today's digital world, converting PDF files to Excel spreadsheets is a common task, especially when dealing with data-rich documents. Whether you're a student, researcher, or professional, knowing how to extract and organize data from PDFs into Excel can be immensely beneficial. This comprehensive guide will walk you through various methods to save PDFs as Excel files, catering to different user needs and software preferences.

Online PDF to Excel Converters

One of the simplest and most accessible ways to convert PDF to Excel is through online tools. These web-based converters offer a quick solution without requiring any software installation. Here are some popular options:

1. Smallpdf

Smallpdf is a user-friendly online platform that allows you to convert PDFs to Excel (and vice versa) for free. It supports batch conversions, making it ideal for handling multiple files at once. To use Smallpdf:

1. Visit the Smallpdf PDF to Excel page.
2. Click on "Choose File" to upload your PDF or simply drag and drop it into the designated area.
3. Once uploaded, click "Convert" to initiate the process.
4. After conversion, you can download the Excel file or share it via a generated link.

2. PDFCandy

PDFCandy is another excellent online tool for PDF to Excel conversion. It offers a clean interface and supports various file formats. Here's how to use it:

1. Access the PDFCandy PDF to Excel converter.
2. Click on "Choose File" or drag and drop your PDF into the converter.
3. Wait for the conversion to complete, and then download the Excel file.

3. PDF2Go

PDF2Go is a versatile online converter that can handle various file conversions, including PDF to Excel. It offers a simple interface and provides a quick conversion process. To use PDF2Go:

1. Go to the PDF2Go PDF to Excel page.
2. Upload your PDF by clicking on "Choose File" or using the drag-and-drop method.
3. Click "Start" to begin the conversion.
4. Once converted, download the Excel file.

Desktop Software for PDF to Excel Conversion

If you prefer a more robust and reliable solution, desktop software can be a great choice. These applications often offer advanced features and better performance for large or complex PDF conversions. Here are some recommended options:

4. Adobe Acrobat Pro

Adobe Acrobat Pro is a powerful PDF editor and converter. It provides an efficient way to convert PDFs to Excel spreadsheets while maintaining the original formatting. To convert with Adobe Acrobat Pro:

1. Open your PDF in Adobe Acrobat Pro.
2. Go to the "File" menu and select "Export To" > "Microsoft Excel".
3. Choose the desired Excel version and click "Export".
4. Save the Excel file to your desired location.

5. Nitro PDF Pro

Nitro PDF Pro is another excellent desktop software for PDF conversions. It offers a user-friendly interface and efficient conversion capabilities. Here's how to convert with Nitro PDF Pro:

1. Open your PDF in Nitro PDF Pro.
2. Click on the "Convert" tab and select "To Excel" from the dropdown menu.
3. Choose the output format and click "Convert".
4. Save the Excel file to your preferred location.

6. PDFelement

PDFelement is a versatile PDF editor and converter that can handle various file types. It provides a simple and intuitive way to convert PDFs to Excel. To use PDFelement:

1. Open your PDF in PDFelement.
2. Go to the "Convert" tab and select "To Excel".
3. Choose the output format and click "Convert".
4. Find the converted Excel file in the specified location.

Free PDF to Excel Converters

If you're looking for free options, there are several software and online tools that can help you convert PDFs to Excel without any cost. Here are some reliable free converters:

7. Online2PDF

Online2PDF is a free online tool that allows you to convert PDFs to Excel and other formats. It's simple to use and supports batch conversions. To use Online2PDF:

1. Visit the Online2PDF PDF to Excel page.
2. Click on "Select PDF Files" to upload your PDF or drag and drop it into the converter.
3. Click "Convert" to start the process.
4. Download the converted Excel file.

8. PDF to Excel Converter Free

PDF to Excel Converter Free is a lightweight desktop application that provides a straightforward conversion process. It's available for Windows and supports various Excel versions. To use it:

1. Download and install PDF to Excel Converter Free from its official website.
2. Open the application and click on "Add Files" to upload your PDF.
3. Choose the output format and click "Convert".
4. Find the converted Excel file in the output folder.

9. Sejda

Sejda is a free online PDF editor and converter. It offers a user-friendly interface and supports multiple file formats. To convert PDFs to Excel with Sejda:

1. Go to the Sejda PDF to Excel page.
2. Click on "Select files" to upload your PDF or drag and drop it into the converter.
3. Click "Convert" to initiate the process.
4. Download the converted Excel file.

Batch PDF to Excel Conversion

If you have multiple PDFs to convert, batch conversion can save you a significant amount of time. Here are some tools that support batch PDF to Excel conversion:

10. Able2Extract Professional

Able2Extract Professional is a powerful PDF converter that excels at batch conversions. It offers a wide range of output formats, including Excel. To perform batch conversion with Able2Extract Professional:

1. Open the application and click on "Batch Convert" from the main menu.
2. Select the PDFs you want to convert and choose "Microsoft Excel" as the output format.
3. Set the output folder and click "Convert".
4. Wait for the conversion to finish, and you'll find the Excel files in the specified folder.

11. PDF Converter Elite

PDF Converter Elite is a versatile desktop application that can handle batch PDF to Excel conversions. It offers a simple and intuitive interface. To use PDF Converter Elite for batch conversion:

1. Launch the application and click on "Batch Convert" from the main menu.
2. Select the PDFs you want to convert and choose "Excel" as the output format.
3. Set the output folder and click "Convert" to start the process.
4. Find the converted Excel files in the specified location.

12. iSkysoft PDF Editor

iSkysoft PDF Editor is a feature-rich PDF editor and converter. It supports batch conversion, making it ideal for converting multiple PDFs to Excel. To perform batch conversion with iSkysoft PDF Editor:

1. Open the application and go to the "Convert PDF" tab.
2. Click on "Add Files" to select the PDFs you want to convert.
3. Choose "Microsoft Excel" as the output format.
4. Set the output folder and click "Convert" to initiate the batch conversion.
5. Find the converted Excel files in the specified location.

PDF to Excel Conversion for Mac

If you're a Mac user, there are dedicated tools and built-in features that can help you convert PDFs to Excel. Here are some options specifically for macOS:

13. Preview (Built-in Mac App)

Preview, the default image viewer on macOS, can also be used to convert PDFs to Excel. While it may not offer advanced features, it's a quick and convenient solution for simple conversions. To convert with Preview:

1. Open your PDF in Preview.
2. Go to the "File" menu and select "Export".
3. Choose "Excel" as the format and click "Next".
4. Set the output folder and click "Export" to save the Excel file.

14. PDF Expert

PDF Expert is a powerful PDF editor and converter for Mac. It offers a user-friendly interface and efficient conversion capabilities. To convert PDFs to Excel with PDF Expert:

1. Open your PDF in PDF Expert.
2. Go to the "File" menu and select "Export To" > "Excel".
3. Choose the output format and click "Export".
4. Find the converted Excel file in the specified location.

15. PDFpen

PDFpen is another excellent PDF editor and converter for Mac. It provides a simple and intuitive way to convert PDFs to Excel. To use PDFpen:

1. Open your PDF in PDFpen.
2. Go to the "File" menu and select "Export To" > "Excel".
3. Choose the output format and click "Export".
4. Save the Excel file to your desired location.

Notes

📝 Note: Some online converters may have limitations on file size or number of pages. Always check the tool's specifications before uploading large files.

🖥️ Note: Desktop software often provides better performance and more advanced features compared to online converters. Consider investing in a reliable desktop application if you frequently work with PDFs.

🧰 Note: Always choose a reputable and secure online converter to ensure the safety of your data. Look for tools with SSL encryption and privacy policies.

Conclusion

Converting PDFs to Excel spreadsheets is a valuable skill for anyone working with data. Whether you choose online converters, desktop software, or built-in tools, the ability to extract and organize data efficiently can greatly enhance your productivity. Remember to explore the various options available and find the one that best suits your needs and preferences.

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