How to Convert PDF to Excel: 3 Methods Worth Trying

Learn how to convert PDF to Excel in a few simple steps for fast and accurate results. To speed up the process and improve accuracy, Kimi Sheets helps turn PDFs into editable spreadsheets easily, saving time in everyday spreadsheet tasks.

Try Kimi Sheets

10 min read2026-05-17

How to Convert PDF to Excel with Kimi Sheets

Table of contents

Quick overview: 3 methods for PDF data to Excel conversion
How to convert PDF to Excel with Excel 365 (Power Query)
How to convert PDF to Excel using Kimi Sheets (AI tool)
- Core functions of Kimi Sheets
How to convert PDF to Excel with Microsoft Word (Copy & Paste)

Turning a PDF into an editable Excel file is often harder than it looks. Tables may break, formatting can shift, and cleaning up the data usually takes extra time. There are several ways to convert PDF to Excel and beyond, including built-in Office tools and AI-powered solutions, each offering different levels of speed and effort. In the sections below, you'll learn three practical methods to convert PDF to Excel.

Quick overview: 3 methods for PDF data to Excel conversion

There are several methods for converting PDFs to Excel files, depending on the tools available and the level of accuracy required. Some are manual, while others use built-in features or AI. Here's a quick overview of three methods.

Among these approaches, Excel 365 Power Query is suitable for structured data. Microsoft Word works for simple manual copying, while Kimi Sheets offers a faster AI-powered way to handle complex PDFs with higher accuracy and less effort. For a more automated workflow, jump to the Kimi Sheets section below.

Try Kimi Sheets

How to convert PDF to Excel with Excel 365 (Power Query)

Excel 365 has a built-in feature called Power Query that makes it much easier to get data from PDFs. In just a few steps, you can turn messy PDF data into organized Excel sheets ready for analysis. Here's how you can do it step by step.

Step 1: Import the PDF file into Excel

Go to the "Data" tab, click "Get Data", then select "From File" > "From PDF". Choose your PDF file from your device and press "Import". Excel will scan the file and show available tables and pages for preview.

Import the PDF file into Excel

Step 2: Select tables from the navigator

The Navigator window will appear with all detected tables from the PDF. Preview the data on the right side before selecting. You can "Select multiple items" if needed. Then click "Transform Data" to edit or "Load" to import directly.

Select tables from the navigator

Step 3: Clean and load data using Power Query

Inside Power Query Editor, adjust your data using options like "Use First Row as Headers". Remove unwanted columns and filter extra rows as needed. Once the data looks clean, go to "Home" and click "Close & Load" to bring it into Excel.

Clean and load data using Power Query

How to convert PDF to Excel using Kimi Sheets (AI tool)

Kimi Sheets, an AI for Excel, transforms PDF files into editable Excel-style sheets with high accuracy. It uses intelligent data recognition to detect tables, columns, and patterns inside PDF documents and organizes them into a clean format. It also reduces transformation time by handling extraction and formatting in one go, making it useful for quick data processing and analysis.

Step 1: Upload your PDF and enter the prompt

Open Kimi Sheets in your browser. Upload your PDF file using the upload option, then enter your instructions in the prompt box. Once done, click submit to start the conversion process.

Example prompt:

Convert the PDF payroll data into a structured Excel workbook for 30 employees with accurate extraction and formatting. Use the header "Moonshot AI" and organise data into Employee Details, Earnings, Deductions, and Net Pay. Ensure correct calculations and a clean, professional layout. Add a summary sheet with all employees and include internal hyperlinks for easy navigation.

Try Kimi Sheets

Upload your PDF and enter the prompt

Step 2: Let Kimi process and generate results

After you upload your file, Kimi Sheets scans the PDF and pulls out tables, text, and other data. The AI organizes everything into a clean spreadsheet, so you don't have to do any manual cleaning. Just wait while the system processes your file and gets your Excel output ready.

Let Kimi process and generate results

Step 3: Download Excel

After processing is complete, a preview of the converted sheet appears on the screen. Review the output to ensure everything is correct, then click the download option to save it. The file will be exported in Excel format and ready for use.

Download Excel

Try Kimi Sheets

Core functions of Kimi Sheets

Easy PDF conversion: Kimi Sheets makes it easy to turn PDF files into editable spreadsheets. You don't have to enter data by hand, and your documents become usable data quickly.
Accurate format retention: The tool keeps the original layout, structure, and numbers the same after conversion. This helps users avoid formatting issues and keeps the data clean and easy to use.
Auto table detection: It automatically identifies tables inside PDFs and documents without manual selection. The tool separates rows and columns properly, so the data becomes ready for analysis.
Structured data extraction: It pulls important information from files and organizes it into a clear structure. This makes complex or unorganized data easier to understand and use.
Automatic organization: The system arranges data into proper order without needing manual sorting. It helps keep sheets neat, structured, and easy to read for users.

How to convert PDF to Excel with Microsoft Word (Copy & Paste)

A simple way to extract data is to open the PDF in Microsoft Word, where it is converted into an editable format. You can then copy the content and paste it into Excel for further use. Here's how to get a table from a PDF into Excel using Word.

Step 1: Open and convert the PDF to Word

Go to "File" > "Open" in Microsoft Word and select your PDF file. Word will automatically convert the PDF into an editable document, so you can view and access all text and tables.

Open and convert the PDF in Word

Step 2: Select and copy the required data

Find the table or data you need inside the converted document. Highlight it, then use "Right-click" > "Copy" or press "Ctrl + C" to copy the selected content.

Select and copy the required data

Step 3: Paste into Excel

Open Microsoft Excel and go to the sheet where you want the data. Use "Right-click" > "Paste" or press "Ctrl + V" to insert the copied content, then adjust the formatting if needed.

Paste into Excel

Modern tools have made data handling much faster and easier than manual methods. One such smart solution is Kimi Sheets, which simplifies working with PDF and spreadsheet data. It uses AI features to convert and organize information at high speed and accuracy.

Conclusion

Working with PDF data no longer needs to be slow or difficult. Different methods can help based on your needs, but some still require extra effort and manual work. Modern tools now make the process smoother, faster, and more accurate. Kimi Sheets stands out by simplifying the entire workflow with better results. Try it today to convert PDF to Excel in one sheet and save time on your tasks.

Try Kimi Sheets

FAQ

How to convert PDF to Excel without formatting?

Use Excel Power Query or AI tools like Kimi Sheets to reduce layout changes during conversion. These tools detect tables and keep data in proper rows and columns. Avoid copy-paste methods as they often break structure. After import, use basic cleanup options like headers and filters for better results, ensuring a clean and usable spreadsheet output.

How to convert a PDF to Excel without a third-party tool?

Open your PDF in Microsoft Word and turn it into an editable document. Then copy the tables or text you need and paste them into Excel. You don't need to install any extra software for this. It works best for small files with simple data and gives you quick, basic results.

How do I extract data from a PDF in Excel?

In Excel, go to the "Data" tab and choose "Get Data" > "From File" > "From PDF". Pick your PDF and select the tables you need from the Navigator window. Use Power Query tools to load or change the data. This turns your PDF content into structured Excel sheets, ready for analysis or further editing.

What are the common issues when converting PDF to Excel?

Tables can lose their formatting, and columns might shift during conversion. Some data may merge or split the wrong way, especially in complex PDFs. You often need to do extra manual cleaning after importing. Image-based PDFs also don't convert well without OCR, which can lead to missing or unreadable information in your final Excel file.