Technology

Effortless Copy and Paste: Transforming PDF Tables into Excel Masterpieces

Copying and pasting tables from PDF to Excel can be a time-consuming and frustrating task, especially for beginners. This tutorial will provide a step-by-step guide on how to efficiently transfer tables from PDF to Excel, making the process quick and effortless.

Administrator

21 April, 2024

Copying a table from a PDF to Excel can be a fairly simple process with the right tools and know-how. In this article, FPT Shop will show you how to transfer tables from PDF to Excel quickly, efficiently, and effectively for various purposes.

What is copying a table from PDF to Excel? Why is it necessary?

Concept

Copying a table from PDF to Excel is the process of converting data from a PDF file into an Excel format that can be utilized in spreadsheet applications. During this process, the table data is extracted from the PDF and subsequently imported into a new Excel file, preserving the table structure, values, and formatting of the data.

The conversion of tables from PDF to Excel can be done using PDF to Excel conversion software or online tools. Some of these tools can automatically recognize and extract data from tables in the PDF, saving users time and effort compared to manual data entry.

When is it necessary to transfer tables from PDF to Excel?

There are several instances when you might need to copy a table from PDF to Excel, including:

Data editing: When you receive a PDF document containing a data table and want to edit, organize, or perform calculations on that table, converting it to Excel will enable you to do so more easily.
Analysis and comparison: Sometimes you will need to analyze and compare data in the table with other data, or create charts and reports from the data. Converting from PDF to Excel helps you perform these tasks more efficiently.
Sharing and collaboration: Excel is often used as a tool for teamwork and information sharing. When you want to share the data table with colleagues or partners, converting from PDF to Excel will make it easier for you to exchange and work with it.
Integration with other systems or applications: For projects or applications that require data in Excel format, converting from PDF to Excel is a necessary step to integrate the data into the system or application.

How to transfer a table from PDF to Excel

If you don’t already know how to copy a table from PDF to Excel, you can refer to the following steps provided by FPT Shop:

Step 1: Begin by downloading the PDF file you want to convert to Excel onto your computer, and then open the Excel software.

Step 2: In Excel, select the Data tab → then click on Get Data → choose From File → next click on From PDF.

Step 3: An Import Data window will appear. Here, select the PDF file you wish to convert and then click Import to proceed.

Step 4: In the Navigator panel that appears, select the table you want to use from the PDF file, then click Transform Data to begin the conversion process.

Step 5: A data editing panel will appear, carefully review the data to ensure its accuracy. Once you’re done, click Close & Load.

Step 6: After clicking Close & Load, the data table will have been converted from PDF to Excel and displayed in Excel in a format similar to the one you are using.

Frequently asked questions

You can use the ‘Copy and Paste’ method. Simply open your PDF file, select and copy the table you want to convert, and then paste it into an Excel sheet. Make sure to enable the ‘Keep Text Only’ paste option to ensure a clean table format.

The ‘Copy and Paste’ method is incredibly fast and efficient. It saves you time and effort compared to manual data entry, and it also maintains the original formatting of the table, including borders and cell sizes.

While the method is convenient, it may not work perfectly for all PDF tables, especially those with complex structures or unusual formatting. In some cases, you might need to make minor adjustments to the pasted content in Excel to ensure it looks exactly as it did in the PDF.

When pasting, use the ‘Keep Text Only’ option to avoid carrying over any unwanted formatting from the PDF. Also, ensure that your Excel sheet is set up with the correct number of columns and rows to accommodate the pasted table. You can always adjust the column widths and row heights afterward to match the PDF table perfectly.

You can repeat the ‘Copy and Paste’ process for each table. It’s a good idea to paste each table into a separate Excel sheet or clearly delineated sections within the same sheet to avoid confusion and overlap.