The Best PDF to Excel Converter: Save Time and Boost Your Productivity

If you’ve ever struggled to extract tables or data from a PDF, you’re not alone. PDFs are designed to preserve formatting — not for easy editing or analysis. That’s where a PDF to Excel converter becomes an essential tool.

In this post, we’ll cover what a PDF to Excel converter is, why you need one, and the best options available — so you can turn static PDF files into editable Excel spreadsheets in minutes.

What Is a PDF to Excel Converter?

A PDF to Excel converter is a tool (either online or software) that transforms PDF files into Microsoft Excel (.xlsx or .xls) format.

Instead of manually copying and pasting tables, a converter automatically extracts:
✅ Tables and columns
✅ Numbers and text
✅ Formatting (sometimes, depending on the tool)

This lets you work directly in Excel for editing, sorting, analyzing, or visualizing your data.

Why Use a PDF to Excel Converter?

Here are a few common use cases where a converter saves you hours of manual work:

Financial statements and reports
Sales or invoice data
Research datasets
Customer or supplier lists
Any large table locked inside a PDF

Without a converter, you’d need to retype or copy-paste — a slow, error-prone process.

Top PDF to Excel Converter Tools (2025 Update)

Let’s look at some of the best PDF to Excel converters available today.

1️⃣ Adobe Acrobat Pro DC

One of the most reliable options, especially for business use.

Directly export PDFs to Excel
Preserves formatting and tables
Handles scanned documents with OCR

Note: Paid subscription required.

2️⃣ Smallpdf (Online)

A popular online converter with a clean interface.

Free limited use; premium available
Drag-and-drop PDF upload
Fast download of Excel files

Great for occasional, light use.

3️⃣ ILovePDF (Online)

Another trusted online tool.

Batch conversion option
Integrates with Google Drive and Dropbox
Mobile app available

Easy and convenient for cloud users.

4️⃣ Able2Extract Professional

A powerful desktop app with advanced features.

Select specific tables or pages to convert
Customize conversion settings
Good for large or complex PDFs

Best suited for power users or large teams.

5️⃣ Microsoft Excel (Built-In Import)

If you’re using Excel 365 or Excel 2019+, you can import PDF data directly.

Go to Data → Get Data → From File → From PDF
Select the table you need

It’s a handy feature, though not as flexible as specialized tools.

How to Choose the Right Converter

When selecting a PDF to Excel converter, consider:
✅ File size limits (for online tools)
✅ Need for OCR (for scanned PDFs)
✅ Batch conversion (if working with many files)
✅ Privacy and security (especially for sensitive data)
✅ Budget (free vs. paid tools)

Final Thoughts

A PDF to Excel converter is a must-have for anyone regularly working with data stuck in PDFs. Whether you choose a free online tool or invest in a premium desktop solution, you’ll save time, reduce errors, and unlock the full potential of your data.

Start by trying out one or two tools from our list and see which works best for your needs!