How to Convert PDF to Google Sheets in 5 Minutes [Easy]

Extracting data from PDF documents used to be a tedious and time-consuming process. But now, with a few simple clicks, you can import and convert that data into Google Sheets effortlessly. In this guide, we’ll show you how to convert PDF to Google Sheets quickly and easily.

The Challenge of Parsing PDF Files

PDF files, originally created by Adobe, have become a popular format for sharing documents. However, they present some challenges when it comes to parsing the data within them:

PDF files use a different system than word processors and spreadsheets to store data, making them unreadable when converted to text documents.
PDF files lack a uniform format, making them difficult to edit.
Material saved in PDFs lacks structure and order.
Raw PDFs do not differentiate between text, images, tables, or other components, making it challenging for programs like Google Sheets to recognize and parse the data.
PDFs can contain large volumes of data spread across multiple pages, making them more secure for businesses but harder to edit.

How to Convert PDF to Google Sheets

There are several methods you can use to convert PDFs to Google Sheets. Let’s explore some of them below.

Method 1: Convert PDF to Google Sheets Using Google Docs

This is perhaps the quickest and easiest method to convert PDF to Sheets. Follow these steps:

Open Google Drive and click “New.”
Upload the PDF file to Google Drive.
Open the file in Google Drive.
Click “Open with Google Docs.”
Select the data in Google Docs and copy it.
Open Google Sheets and paste the data.

Method 2: Convert PDF to Google Sheets Using CSV

If the data in your PDF file is plain text, it’s beneficial to convert it to CSV format before importing it into Google Sheets. Follow these steps:

Open the PDF file in Google Docs.
Use the “Find and Replace” feature in Google Docs to convert spaces to commas, creating a CSV-like format.
Download the modified file as plain text and save it as a .csv file.
Open Google Sheets and import the CSV file.

Method 3: Using Online Tools

Another option is to use online converters to automatically convert PDF data. There are many online PDF converters available with a quick Google search. Some popular options include PDFFiller.

Go to PDFFiller and sign in.
Browse for the PDF document on your computer and upload it.
Edit the table if necessary.
Download the converted file to your drive.
Choose a plan and start a free trial.
Save the file as the desired format to your Google Drive.
Right-click on the file and choose “Open with” > “Google Sheets.”

Please note that some online tools may require a paid subscription after the free trial period.

How Modern PDF Documents Are Parsed

Most modern PDF converters follow a three-step process to parse data from PDF documents:

Data Cleaning

The first step involves cleaning the data to remove artifacts and make it easier for the extraction tool to retrieve the data accurately. This can include using filters, skew correction, and binarization techniques.

Data Extraction

In this step, machine learning models, such as optical character recognition (OCR) and pattern recognition, are used to extract the data from the cleaned document. Advanced programs can be trained with custom data to fit specific use cases.

Post Processing

Once the data is extracted, it is converted into the required format, such as JSON, XML, or CSV. For Google Sheets, proper formatting is applied, such as creating rows and columns in tables, or dividing data into paragraphs and headings.

Which Types of Data Can Be Extracted From PDFs

PDF converters can extract various types of data from PDF documents, including:

Headers
Text
Tables
Lists
Key-value pairs
Images

Use Cases for PDF Converters

PDF converters are valuable tools in various scenarios where intelligent data extraction is essential. Some common use cases for PDF converters include:

Receipt scanners: Extracting data from item lists in receipts, purchase orders, invoices, and more.
Invoice automation: Intelligent extraction of invoice data using AI.
ID card verification: Scanning ID cards to extract important information like names, addresses, and dates of birth.
Extracting tables: Capturing crucial information from tables in a document.
Resume data: Retrieving relevant data from resumes.

How to Measure the Performance of PDF Converters

When evaluating the performance of a PDF converter tool, consider the following factors:

Table extraction accuracy: The accuracy and speed of extracting tables from PDF documents.
Multiple languages support: The ability to parse PDFs in multiple languages.
Software integration: Seamless integration with well-known accounting software.
Ease of use: User-friendly software that requires minimal technical knowledge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Upload a PDF to Google Sheets?

Yes, you can import a PDF into Google Sheets. The easiest method is to import the PDF into Google Docs and copy the data into Google Sheets. Another option is to open the PDF in Google Docs, use the find and replace feature to convert spaces into commas, and then save it as a CSV file before importing it into Google Sheets.

Can I Scan a Document Into Google Sheets?

While you can’t directly scan a document into Google Sheets, you can upload the scanned document as an image in a cell. Alternatively, you can convert the scanned document from PDF to Google Sheets format by importing it into Google Docs and then manipulating the data.

Can You Convert PDF to Spreadsheet?

Yes, there are programs available that can convert data from a PDF file into a spreadsheet. However, a simpler and more cost-effective solution is to upload the PDF to Google Drive, open it with Google Docs, and copy and paste the data into a Google Sheets spreadsheet.

Final Word on Converting PDF to Google Sheets

While the methods mentioned above are effective for converting PDFs to Google Sheets, it’s important to note that PDFs are challenging to extract and edit data from. After importing the data into Google Sheets, make sure to double-check its accuracy and formatting.

Mr Reviews provides a comprehensive guide on converting PDF to Google Sheets and offers additional helpful tips for managing your documents efficiently.