How To Convert PDF To Google Sheets?

Looking at how to convert PDF to Google Sheets? If so, you are in the right place!

In today’s world, data plays a crucial role in business. However, much of the necessary data to make key decisions is locked away in PDF files like purchase orders, invoices, delivery notes, and expense reports. 

While it is not a bad thing, the problem arises due to the nature of PDFs. We mean that PDFs are great for viewing, not editing. It makes data manipulation and extraction quite tricky.

You will likely encounter difficulties when trying to extract data from a PDF and transfer it to Google Sheets for analysis. So, what should you do in such situations? The solution is to convert the PDF into a format that Google Sheets can quickly process. This guide will discuss different methods to convert PDFs to Google Sheets. So, let’s start!

How To Convert PDF To Google Sheets?

Converting a file from one format to another can feel overwhelming, especially if you are unfamiliar with the steps. If you are unsure how to convert PDF to Google Sheets, we have got your back. There are a few easy ways to go about it; we have explained those methods in this section.

Method 1: Convert PDF To Google Sheets Via Google Docs

To convert a PDF into Google Sheets using Google Docs, you should follow this method. It is simple, quick, and time-efficient.

Here’s what you need to do:

• Open Google Drive in your browser and log in to your account.
• Click the Upload button and select the PDF file you want to convert.
• Once the File is uploaded, right-click on it and select Open with Google Docs.
• When the PDF opens in Google Docs, you can copy the data, including tables, by pressing Ctrl + C.
• Open a new Google Sheet in another tab, then paste the copied data using Ctrl + V.
• The data will be automatically saved in the new Sheet. You can edit, rename the File, and download it in your preferred format by clicking on File, then Download.

Method 2: Convert PDF To CSV And Then To Google Sheets

This method involves a little extra work. Before transferring a PDF to Google Sheets, convert it into CSV. To use this method, you must follow these instructions.

Here’s how to do it:

• Launch your web browser and log in to Google Drive.
• Upload the PDF file to Google Drive.
• Once the File is uploaded, right-click on it and choose Open with Google Docs.
• Press Ctrl + H in Google Docs to replace tables with plain Text. 
• Next, click File and select Download.
• Click on the Plain Text File (.txt) option to save the File in CSV format.
• Open Google Sheets, click on File, and then Import.
• Select the downloaded CSV file and upload it.

Method 3: Convert PDF To Google Sheets Using PDF Agile

If you are looking for a hassle-free way to convert PDFs into Google Sheets, using an online tool like PDF Agile would be a good idea. It is a feature-packed solution that is both efficient and free to use. You can use Agile’s web and desktop-based applications to convert PDFs to Excel and then upload them into Google Sheets. All you have to do is follow the steps given below.

• Launch PDF Agile either as a desktop app or through your browser.
• On the PDF Agile interface, select Online Features and then choose PDF to Excel.
• Use the Browse option in the dialogue box to locate and upload your PDF file.
• Click OK to start the conversion process. Once complete, download the newly created Excel file.
• Open Google Drive and select the Upload option.
• Next, choose the Excel file you want to upload from your PC.
• Once the File is uploaded to Google Drive, right-click on it. Select the Open with Google Sheets option, and you are done.

Method 4: Use Parserr

This method is suitable for those who frequently receive PDF files via email.

Here’s how it works:

• Start by creating an account on Parserr.
• Set up your Parserr inbox to store your incoming PDF files.
• Create rules to extract specific tables and Text from your PDF documents.
• Connect your Parserr inbox to Google Sheets using webhook integration.
• Send an email with a PDF attachment to your Parserr inbox to test the parsing rules.
• Open your Google Sheets to check the accuracy of the extracted information.
• Adjust the rules to extract as many details as needed from your PDFs.
• Allow Parserr to extract and transfer data to Excel or Google Sheets automatically.

Method 5: Convert PDF To Google Sheets Using PDFelement

PDFelement from Wondershare happens to be a versatile and user-friendly PDF editor. With the help of this tool, you can simplify the process of converting PDFs to Google Sheets. The good thing about this tool is that it includes advanced and basic tools, making it easy to convert PDFs into various file formats. You can use this software to handle PDFs of all types, including complex and scanned ones. Additionally, PDFelement allows you to use multiple conversion methods to meet your needs.

The software is compatible with various devices, including iOS, Windows, Android, and Mac. It is also quite affordable and supports a variety of file formats. 

To use PDFelement to convert PDFs into Google Sheets, follow these steps:

• The first thing you need to do is download and install PDFelement on your device.
• Launch the software and load the desired PDF file.
• Click on the Convert tab in the toolbar.
• From the options available, select To Excel. Alternatively, you can click the Excel icon from the floating menu on the right side of the window.
• In the dialog box that appears, select a destination folder for the output file and hit the Save button. This will convert the PDF to an Excel file.

After converting your PDF to Excel, follow these steps to upload it to Google Sheets:

• Open Google Sheets in your browser and create a new spreadsheet.
• Go to File, and select Open.
• Select Upload and upload the Excel file you just converted.
• Click Open. The PDF content will now appear in Google Sheets.

Method 6: Convert PDF Into XLSX Using Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat Reader is a versatile tool that allows you to edit and view PDFs and helps you convert them into formats like TXT and XLSX that work with Google Sheets.

Here’s what you need to do:

• Open your PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
• Go to the Tools menu and select Scan & OCR if the PDF is scanned.
• For scanned documents, choose Enhance Scanned File to improve the image quality.
• Acrobat will automatically detect text in the scanned document. If it’s an image-based PDF, click Recognize Text to start the OCR process manually.
• Once OCR is finished, the Text in the document will be editable and searchable.
• Go to the Convert menu and choose a file format like TXT, XLSX, or XML. Adjust any settings if needed and select Export.
• Go to Google Sheets, import the converted File by selecting File, and then Import.

Tips To Use Google Sheets And PDF Files

These tips might be helpful if your work involves creating reports, gathering data, and mastering tools like Google Sheets and Excel.

1. Learning formatting shortcuts in Google Sheets can save a lot of time. This is especially helpful when working with files converted from PDFs. Some handy shortcuts include:

• Ctrl + Shift + 1: Format as decimal
• Ctrl + Shift + 4: Format as currency
• Ctrl + Shift + 3: Format as date
• Ctrl + Shift + 2: Format as time

2. You can use this formula to easily import and copy live data from websites: =IMPORTHTML(“https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sandwiches”, “table”, 1)

This command helps you pull data from a specific table on the page.

3. With the help of Google Forms, you can gather data efficiently. Once collected, you can transfer the data into Google Sheets for better presentation and organization.
4. Using designs and colors from high-quality templates can make your Google Sheets look more polished and professional. This way, you can make your reports visually appealing and impactful.

Troubleshooting Common Issues When Converting PDFs To Google Sheets

Converting PDFs to Google Sheets isn’t always easy. Sometimes, you may encounter issues due to the inaccuracy of your data. Here are some common problems and solutions to resolve them:

1. Data Misalignment

If the data appears in the wrong columns or doesn’t line up correctly after conversion, you should adjust the layout of the PDF. By doing so, you can ensure a clear structure before conversion. You can use a conversion tool with advanced parsing features for better data extraction.

2. Formatting Problems

Complex formatting, like irregular layouts or merged cells, can cause errors during conversion. In this case, simplify the PDF layout wherever possible. You can use a tool designed to handle complex formatting for better results.

3. Incomplete Data Extraction

Sometimes, specific data may be missing after the conversion. This often happens due to:

• Password protection: Remove any password restrictions from the PDF.
• Scanned documents: Use OCR technology to extract data from scanned PDFs.
• Tool limitations: Select a more robust conversion tool that can handle complex PDFs.

Additional Tips:

• Check the PDF file quality and ensure that it has a clear structure. Also, make sure that it is compatible with your tool.
• Update your software so that you can use the latest version. This helps avoid bugs or limitations.
• Verify the File’s integrity and ensure the PDF is not damaged or corrupted.
• If you use an online converter, ensure a reliable internet connection. This helps prevent interruptions.

Final Words

Knowing how to convert PDF to Google Sheets makes things so much easier. You can follow any methods outlined in this post and convert your PDFs to Google Sheets anytime needed. You should choose a method based on your requirements for the best results.

FAQs

Can I convert a PDF into Google Sheets?

You can convert a PDF into Google Sheets by extracting the data into a spreadsheet format and then uploading it to Google Sheets.

How do I convert a PDF into a spreadsheet?

You can convert a PDF into a spreadsheet using Google Docs or Adobe Acrobat.

Can I edit a PDF in Google Sheets?

Google Sheets doesn’t allow users to edit PDFs directly. However, you can convert the PDF data into an editable spreadsheet format and then make edits in Google Sheets.

How do I convert a PDF to Word in Google Sheets?

To convert a PDF to Word using Google Sheets, you must use tools like Adobe Acrobat or Smallpdf.

How do I share a PDF in Google Sheets?

To share a PDF in Google Sheets:

• Upload the PDF to Google Drive.
• Copy the link of the uploaded PDF.
• Paste the link into a Google Sheet and share the Sheet with others.

How do you convert PDFs to Excel files for free?

You can use online tools like Smallpdf, iLovePDF, or PDF2Go to convert a PDF to Excel for free.

Can a PDF be inserted into Google Sheets?

You can insert a PDF into Google Sheets by uploading it to Google Drive and then linking it to Google Sheets.

Can you open a PDF file in Google Sheets?

You cannot open a PDF file directly on Google Sheets. However, you can extract its data using a PDF-to-Excel converter and then upload the spreadsheet to Google Sheets.

How to convert a PDF to Google Docs?

To convert a PDF to Google Docs:

• Upload the PDF to Google Drive.
• Right-click the File and select Open with > Google Docs.
• Google Docs will attempt to convert the PDF to editable Text.

Can AI turn a PDF into a spreadsheet?

AI tools like Adobe Acrobat, or Tabula can extract tabular data from a PDF and convert it into a spreadsheet format like Excel or CSV.