How to Extract Tables From PDF: 3 Easy Methods Explained

You can extract tables from PDFs by using programming languages like Python, programs like Excel to create spreadsheets, and tools like pdf.net to convert PDFs to Excel. It’s also useful to ensure your PDF document is of high quality and has standard formatting, as that helps with successful conversions.

The portable document format (PDF) can contain texts, images, links, tables, audio, and video and is used for easy sharing and printing. However, the information inside a PDF is not easy to modify. That’s why we teach you the best ways to extract PDF tables and reuse data whenever needed!

Key Takeaways

• Before extracting your PDF, check if it’s scanned or text-based; the former must be converted using OCR before you can use any extraction method.
• The most effective methods for extracting tables from a PDF are converting the PDF into Excel, making a spreadsheet in Excel, and using a programming language like Python.
• To successfully extract tables from a PDF, use high-quality files, check for complex formatting, and review the extracted tables for accuracy.
• pdf.net is the best online option for converting a PDF into Excel because it’s user-friendly, reliable, and safe.

What Type of PDF Do You Have?

There are two significantly different types of PDFs that can affect the table extraction process: scanned and text-based PDFs. The former is essentially a scanned image in a PDF format, while the latter contains actual, selectable text that can be edited and extracted.

Let’s briefly cover the differences between the two to help you identify them:

So, before you even try to extract a table, check whether your PDF is scanned or text-based. If it’s scanned, none of the methods described below will help until you convert the image into machine-encoded text.

Checking is pretty simple, too: try to select a single word in a PDF. If you can’t, and an entire line gets selected instead, your document is scanned.

Alternatively, you can zoom in to over 400% and inspect the letters; if they remain crisp, it’s a text-based PDF, while blurriness indicates your document is scanned.

Lastly, if your PDF is password-protected, you will need to remove the password before attempting any extraction method.

3 Methods on How to Extract Tables From PDF

The three most common methods of extracting tables from PDFs are using the pdf.net converter to turn PDFs into .xlsx files, making spreadsheets in Microsoft Excel, and importing and exporting PDF files with programming languages like Python.

First, we’ll take a quick look at these three methods:

Now, let’s dig more into this.

#1. Convert PDF to Excel

Firstly, you can convert a PDF to Excel online using pdf.net’s convenient tool. This is generally the best method, as it’s quick, simple, and requires practically no technical knowledge. In fact, you don’t even have to be particularly computer-savvy to do it.

All you have to do is follow these steps to extract a table from a PDF online:

1. Open pdf.net and hover over the Convert drop-down menu.
   
2. Click on PDF to Excel.
   
3. Drag your file to the box on the converter’s screen or click Choose file to select it from a dialogue.
   
4. Make sure that XLSX is selected and click Convert to XLSX.
   
5. Download your converted file.

Before converting your PDF document, you can also modify it using the PDF editor if necessary to ensure its high quality. It allows you to add text, draw, sign, merge, split, and rearrange your table document.

Finally, if you’re worried about the safety of your document in an online PDF editor and converted, you can rest assured that your data is secure. pdf.net uses HTTPS encryption to protect your files and deletes all your information after use. Nothing is stored permanently or shared with any third parties without your permission.

#2. Make Spreadsheets With Microsoft Excel

Another option you have if you want to extract data from a PDF table is to use Microsoft Excel to arrange your data in tables, create an alternative database, or export tables from a specific PDF file.

This is what the PDF data extraction process looks like:

1. Open a blank Excel workbook and navigate to the Data tab.
   
2. Choose Get Data>From File>PDF.
   
3. Pick the PDF file you want.
4. Check the tables on the left and select the one(s) you wish to extract.
5. Click on the Load button.

After you complete the last step, tables will be ready to use in your spreadsheet. However, keep in mind that this method works best with simple, well-formatted tables, as irregular rows may not transfer cleanly. Make sure to check if everything’s in order after loading and fix any problematic sections.

#3. Import, Extract, and Output via Python

Python is a programming language for task automation, website creation, and data analysis. It is also one of the advanced PDF table extraction tools.

We’ll show you in this section how to use it for extraction, but remember that this method requires basic Python knowledge. If you’re not a developer, it’s much easier to rely on an online PDF converter than learn a whole new skill.

If you do choose to use Python, we recommend two libraries: Camelot and Tabula-py.

Camelot is best for lattice-style tables with clear, visible gridlines and heavy structure. To install it, type pip install camelot-py[base] into Python. Then, when you want to extract tables from a PDF, use the following commands:

import camelot

# Read tables

a = camelot.read_pdf("test.pdf")

# Print first table

print(a[0].df)

On the other hand, Tabula-py is best for stream-style tables with no visible borders and gridlines, as it relies on physical spacing and white space between columns and rows. To install it, you first need to verify you have Java 8 or higher on your computer. Then, type pip install tabula-py.

Now, go ahead and type the following code to extract tables:

from tabula import read_pdf

from tabulate import tabulate

df = read_pdf("abc.pdf",pages="all") #address of pdf file

print(tabulate(df))

Both these libraries are free and open source, and they both have similar outputs: for instance, CSV, DataFrame, and JSON. So, ultimately, choose based on your preference and the type of table you’re trying to extract.

How to Extract Tables From a Scanned PDF

To extract tables from a scanned PDF, you should first apply optical character recognition (OCR) to convert image text into machine-encoded text. If you don’t do this, your file will remain unreadable to most programs, which process it as pixel data, not text.

OCR processes image data and identifies lines, intersections, and shading, which helps it isolate individual letters and numbers. Then, it matches them with font libraries and converts them to editable formats.

While OCR is widely regarded as the most effective way to digitize scanned images, it has its limitations. Namely, its accuracy depends on the scan quality, which means that high-resolution images produce better results. So, make sure your scan is saved with a high DPI (at least 300 DPI) and double-check the result for potential mistakes.

3 Biggest Challenges of Extracting Tables Manually

Extracting tables manually can be time-consuming, entail numerous errors, and decrease productivity. The main reason for this is the nature of PDFs, as these files are made to reproduce exact images on different devices and are not focused on image parts like tables.

Let’s learn more about each challenge:

#1. Taking Too Much Time

It may take a long time to take every table, column, and data in it and place it elsewhere. This is also true for adjusting the lines, rows, columns, text font, size, and color in your target document to make tables resemble the original look from your PDF file.

#2. Decreasing Productivity

The time you waste when you copy tables from PDF can be used to complete other tasks if you use automated tools. You may spend a couple of hours on manual extraction on average, but with automated online software, this process could take only several minutes.

#3. Leading to Numerous Errors

Copy-pasting every table and every part of it leaves much room for mistakes, which may not be cost-free. The same applies to manual data entry, where typos, unintentional indentations, column and row size changes, and space and line additions can occur easily.

3 Valuable Tips on How to Extract Tables From a PDF

Using high-quality PDF files, checking for complex formatting, and reviewing extracted tables for accuracy are the top tips on how to extract tables from a PDF.

#1. Use High-Quality PDF Files

The most important element for successful table extraction may be using PDF files with high resolution and quality. Non-standard formats and low-pixelated images can cause issues for converters. Modifying PDF resolution, rescanning PDF files for a higher DPI, and using suitable export and save settings may also help increase quality.

#2. Check for Complex Formatting (Merged Cells, Uneven Rows, etc.)

Checking for complex formatting or identifying inconsistencies in the PDF file structure and fixing them is also efficient for PDF to Excel table extraction. Meanwhile, irregular structures like merged cells, uneven rows, and unmatched column width and length are a no-go for automated extractions.

#3. Review Extracted Tables for Accuracy

Last but not least, you should ensure that everything in your extracted table is correct. Sometimes, there may be parts of your PDF document that your converter could not grasp or that you forgot to preset before conversion. Correcting such minor details will make your tables picture-perfect.

Why Use pdf.net Tool for Extracting Tables

You should use the pdf.net for extracting tables because it’s user-friendly software that boasts high quality, reliability, and safety, helping you avoid errors and setbacks during the process.

Let’s see the details:

#1. User-Friendliness

Our tool is straightforward, as all the table extraction options are clearly outlined. Once you set everything up, the automatic process will do the job for you; both document loading and extraction procedures are fast.

#2. High Quality and Reliability

Lots of PDF table extraction tools do not possess a high-quality engine that produces precise, accurate, and clearly extracted table information and table outlines. However, you can count on the pdf.net tool to output neat tables and preserve their original form, provided your original file is well-standardized and optimized.

#3. Safe and Secure

All the PDF files you input and output are strictly confidential with us, meaning that only you can access them. In addition, our website is licensed and operates according to defined rules and regulations, and high security levels and the trust we build are our priorities.

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Final Thoughts

Extracting tables from a PDF may seem challenging, as PDF is a pretty static format, designed to preserve data rather than allow changes. However, with the right knowledge and tools, you can export tables or even convert the entire document into a more manageable format, like Excel.

The simplest way, as you have seen, is using an online converter and PDF table extractor like pdf.net. It requires no special knowledge, no software installation, and practically no time. All you need is an internet connection and two minutes to get a high-quality Excel file.

How to Extract Tables From a PDF FAQs

#1. How to extract a table from PDF to Word?

To extract a table from PDF to Word, you need to use a converter tool such as pdf.net. Upload your PDF file, start the conversion process, and you will get a Word document with the table you need inside it.

#2. How do I extract a table from a PDF to Excel without losing formatting?

You can extract a table from a PDF to Excel without losing formatting by ensuring your document is well-formatted and of high quality and using a reliable PDF-to-Excel conversion tool like pdf.net.

#3. Can I copy a table from a PDF into Excel?

You can copy a table from a PDF into Excel by using the built-in import tool that allows you to load data from a document into a worksheet. Every newer version of Excel should have this option, as well as the option to adjust the extracted table and the information within it.

#4. Is the pdf.net tool safe to use?

Yes, the pdf.net tool is safe to use. It respects the HTTPS safety standards and protocols, which means that website encryption helps you stay away from potential threats and that no one but you can access your documents.