One way to convert a PDF to Excel without losing formatting for free is to use an online converter tool. There are several websites that offer this service, such as Smallpdf, PDF2Go, and Zamzar. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to convert your PDF to Excel using Smallpdf:
1. Open your preferred web browser and go to the Smallpdf website (www.smallpdf.com).
2. On the homepage, you will see a variety of tools available. Click on the “PDF to Excel” option.
3. A new page will open, prompting you to drag and drop your PDF file into the designated area or click on the “Choose File” button to browse and select the PDF from your computer.
4. Once you have uploaded the PDF, Smallpdf will start the conversion process automatically.
5. After the conversion is complete, you will be redirected to a new page where you can download the converted Excel file.
6. Click on the “Download” button to save the converted Excel file to your computer.
It is important to note that while online converter tools can be convenient and free, they may have limitations in terms of file size and the number of conversions allowed per day. Additionally, the formatting of the converted Excel file may not always be perfect, especially if the PDF contains complex layouts or graphics.
Another option is to use Adobe Acrobat if you have access to it. Adobe Acrobat is a paid software, but it offers more advanced features for converting PDFs to Excel while preserving formatting. Here’s how you can do it using Adobe Acrobat:
1. Open the PDF document you want to convert in Adobe Acrobat.
2. Go to the “Tools” tab in the top menu bar and select “Export PDF.”
3. A sidebar will appear on the right side of the screen. Choose the “Microsoft Excel Workbook” option under the “Export” format.
4. You can customize the conversion settings by clicking on the “Settings” button. This allows you to specify the range of pages to convert, select the layout format, and adjust other options.
5. Once you’re satisfied with the settings, click on the “Export” button.
6. Choose a location on your computer to save the converted Excel file, give it a name, and click “Save.”
7. Adobe Acrobat will process the conversion, and you will have your PDF converted to Excel while preserving the formatting.
Using Adobe Acrobat generally produces better results in terms of maintaining the original formatting, but it does come at a cost. However, you may be able to access a free trial version of Adobe Acrobat to test out the conversion process.
There are both free and paid options available for converting PDFs to Excel without losing formatting. Online converter tools like Smallpdf can be a convenient choice for occasional conversions, while Adobe Acrobat offers more advanced features for those who require frequent and accurate conversions.