Convert PDF to Google Sheets: Easy Methods (2024)

How to Convert PDF to Google Sheets

Converting PDF files into Google Sheets can streamline data analysis and sharing, especially for businesses and individuals dealing with data trapped in PDF formats like invoices, reports, or tables. This guide explores various methods to convert PDFs into editable Google Sheets.

Automate your PDF to Google Sheets conversion with Bardeen. Save time and ensure accuracy!

Method 1: Using Google Docs

This method is suitable for PDFs containing simple data with few rows and columns.

1. Upload your PDF file to Google Drive.
2. Click on the PDF file name to open the “Open with” dialog box.
3. Select Google Docs from the list and save.
4. Open the PDF file as a Google document, then copy the table to your clipboard (CTRL+C).
5. Open a new Google Sheets file.
6. Select a cell and paste the PDF data (CTRL+V).

Method 2: Using CSV

Opt for this method if your PDF data appears in multipage documents that require manual sorting.

1. Upload your PDF document to Google Drive.
2. Click on the PDF file name to see the “Open with” dialog box.
3. Select “Plain text (.txt)” from the list and save.
4. Click on the saved TXT file name to see the “Open with” dialog box.
5. Select Google Docs from the list and save.
6. Open the Google document to see your plain text PDF data.
7. Use “Find and Replace” to convert all the spaces into commas.
8. Download the document as a TXT file: Go to File > Download > Plain text (.txt).
9. Open the downloaded text file with Notepad.
10. Save the document as a Comma Separated Value File (.csv).
11. Open a new Google Sheets spreadsheet.
12. Go to File > Open (CTRL+O) the CSV file in Google Sheets.
13. Check that all your comma-separated data is contained in the suitable individual cells in your spreadsheet.

Method 3: Using Online PDF to Google Sheets Converter

For a direct conversion, use online platforms like Nanonets or Parserr. These services offer automated solutions to convert PDF files into Google Sheets format, often with capabilities to handle complex documents and bulk conversions.

• Nanonets: Offers a straightforward conversion process where you can upload your PDF, convert it to Google Sheets, and then edit the data within seconds.
• Parserr: Ideal for extracting data from multiple PDF files received via email. It requires setting up parsing rules for automated data extraction to Google Sheets.

Both services may offer free trials or free usage tiers, making them accessible for users looking to convert PDF to Google Sheets online for free.

Explore how to automate Google Sheets for more efficient data management.

Conclusion

Choosing the right method depends on the complexity of your PDF document and your specific needs. For simple data extraction, Google Docs might suffice. For more complex documents or automated workflows, online converters like Nanonets and Parserr offer more robust solutions.

Discover powerful Google Sheets automations to streamline your workflows.

While the manual methods to convert PDF into Google Sheets can be effective for small-scale tasks, automating this process can significantly streamline workflows, especially when dealing with large volumes of data or repetitive tasks. Bardeen offers powerful automations that not only save time but also enhance accuracy by minimizing manual data handling errors. Let's explore some examples of how Bardeen can automate tasks related to Google Sheets.

1. Save full-page PDF screenshots to Google Drive from website links in a Google Sheet: This playbook is ideal for users looking to capture website data as PDFs directly into Google Drive for further analysis in Google Sheets. It automates the process of taking screenshots from a list of URLs in a Google Sheet and storing them efficiently.
2. Download full-page PDF screenshots of websites from links in a Google Sheet: Streamline your research and content archiving by automatically downloading web page PDFs from a list of links in Google Sheets. This playbook enhances productivity by saving valuable time on manual downloads and organization.
3. Copy all Github issues to Google Sheets: Seamlessly integrate your development workflow with data analysis by copying GitHub issues into a Google Sheet. This automation is perfect for developers and project managers looking to track and analyze issues without manual data entry.