How to Convert a PDF File Into an Excel File

1. Download and install PDF-to-text conversion software, or convert your file online. There are several programs that will do this; some are free and some cost money but have free trial periods. See the Resources section for information.
2. Process the PDF-to-text conversion, and save the text file.
3. Open a blank Excel spreadsheet and import the text file. In Excel 2003, go to Data>Import External Data>Import Data. In Excel 2007, go to Data>Get External Data>From Text. The 'Text Import Wizard' will pop up.
4. Choose the type of file that best describes your data. You will see a preview of the text below, to help you choose. If commas or tabs separate the data you wish to import, choose 'Delineated.' If the fields are already in columns, with spaces in between, choose 'Fixed Width.'
5. Follow the wizard through the importing steps. In each screen you will be able to see a preview of how the data will be imported, so you can always go back and change a step if it does not look correct. For example, if you chose 'Delineated' and the preview screen does not show separate columns for your data, go back and change your selection to 'Fixed Width.'
6. Select 'Finished' and then 'Existing Worksheet' as the location to open your data. Your PDF document is now in an Excel file. It will likely not be perfect and you will need to do a little tweaking to have all the data where you want it, but most of the work has been done.