Acrobat
Quick accounting guide - How to import tables from PDF to Excel.
Import tables from PDF to Excel with this quick accounting guide using Adobe Acrobat.

Leveraging and effectively utilising data is essential for acquiring valuable business insights that can drive growth and success. Analysing project reports and creating strategic plans based on this data is crucial for thriving businesses. However, dealing with data received in PDF files can be challenging. The process involves extracting the data into applications such as MS Excel or Tableau to facilitate easy computation and analysis. Therefore, it is advantageous for accountants to use tools that enable data extraction from PDFs to Excel.
Discover the powerful features of Adobe Acrobat, which allows for the seamless import of tables from PDF to Excel. This comprehensive guide will not only walk you through the entire process but also highlight the major uses of this feature and discuss advanced functionalities that can simplify the conversion of PDF to Excel. The simplicity of this process will give you the confidence to handle any PDF data with ease, making the entire process more efficient and effective.
Different ways to import tables from PDF to Excel.
There are several effective methods for importing tables from PDFs into Excel. This guide will explore the most commonly used ones, including conventional copy-and-paste, PDF to Excel conversion tools, OCR, manual re-creation, and other online conversion services.
- The simplest way to transfer data from a PDF to Excel is by copying and pasting. This method works for small datasets but often requires manual formatting adjustments.
- Using PDF to Excel conversion tools like Adobe Acrobat to easily convert PDF tables into editable Excel format. Simply upload your PDF, and the tool will automatically process and preserve the table structure and formatting.
- Using Optical Character Recognition (OCR): If your PDF contains scanned images or non-selectable text, OCR technology can convert these into editable text.
- When dealing with complex or poorly formatted tables, it may be necessary to manually recreate them in Excel. This involves copying the data into Excel and adjusting the layout to match the original table structure.
Each method has its strengths, so choosing the one that best suits your needs will depend on the complexity of your tables and the quality of the PDF.
Step-by-step guide to importing tables from PDF to Excel.
PDF tables may be converted into Excel format using software and web resources. Adobe Acrobat Online tools convert PDF files into editable Microsoft Excel documents accurately.
The steps involved are as follows:
Step 1: Open your web browser and go to Adobe Acrobat online services. You will find the PDF to Excel converter tool in the PDF conversion tools section. Click ‘Try for free’.
Step 2: You can now choose your PDF by clicking the ‘Select a file’ button or dragging and dropping the PDF into the drop zone when you want to convert to the XLSX file format.
Step 3: Wait for Adobe Acrobat to upload and briefly convert your PDF to Excel.
Step 4: You can download your file simply by logging in or getting a link to share it with your team.
Advanced techniques and features of Adobe Acrobat PDF to Excel tool.
Adobe Acrobat provides several sophisticated methods for converting PDF files to Excel. Let’s take a brief look at how it is done:
- Acrobat uses OCR technology to identify text and make it searchable in scanned PDFs. It is essential for correctly converting scanned documents to editable Excel files.
- Acrobat's ability to define custom table structures can be useful when creating PDFs with complex tables or forms that deviate from standard formatting.
- Acrobat also allows you to manually choose table sections for conversion when automated conversion isn't accurate enough.
- Its batch-processing support can convert multiple PDF files to Excel at once. Please check the website for any size restrictions.
- With the premium version, you can create templates to standardise the conversion procedure and guarantee consistent output across several PDF files.
Other Adobe PDF tools that can be used by accountants.
Having the right tools at your fingertips can make all the difference, especially if you're an accountant with a lot of numeric data. Here are some of Adobe’s online PDF tools that can simplify your work and boost productivity.
- Edit PDF: Our online PDF editor allows you to effortlessly make changes to your financial statements or reports, from correcting errors to updating figures.
- OCR a PDF: Our online OCR tool converts scanned invoices or handwritten notes into editable text, simplifying digitisation and organising your financial records.
- Merge PDFs: With our merge tool, you can combine multiple financial documents into a single, easy-to-share PDF, streamlining your workflow and ensuring all your data is in one place.
- Sign PDF: Quickly sign important contracts or authorise transactions, ensuring your documents are legally binding and securely handled.
- Protect PDF: Safeguard sensitive client information by adding passwords to your documents using our Fill & Sign PDF tool. This ensures that only authorised individuals can access your financial records.
Importing tables is now easy with Adobe.
Importing tables from PDF to Excel is a proficient skill. Simpler tables only require copy-and-paste procedures, whereas more complicated tables require specialised software. By efficiently leveraging the Acrobat converter tool, you can save time, increase accuracy, and reduce the scope for manual errors through multiple reworks.
Focus on in-depth analysis with instant data import features and scale your business to new heights.
Frequently asked questions.
Can I import images along with tables from a PDF to Excel?
What if my PDF contains multiple tables?
How do I handle encrypted or password-protected PDFs?
Can I automate the conversion process?
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