How To Convert a PDF file to Google Sheets

There is no direct way to convert a PDF file to a Google Sheet, as this is a multi-step process due to the way PDF files are created and the data in them.

Assuming the PDF file you want to convert to a Google Sheet has tabular data in it with columns and rows, like an invoice, order form or similar, we need to handle the conversion process in a way that keeps the format of the data.

(Learn here to convert a PDF file to Word for contracts or similar documents.)

In this tutorial we learn three methods to convert PDFs to Google Sheets, two methods are free and one is paid but this one gives the best results.

Using Google Docs to Convert PDF to Google Sheets – Free

Google Drive has in-built capability to recognize tables and text within simple PDF documents. So use this first method if your PDF document contains relatively simple data with few rows and columns.

This method requires the following steps to be followed.

• Go to your Google Drive account.
• Click on New > File upload.

• Select and upload that PDF file.
• Once the upload is complete, open the PDF file (now in Google Drive).
• Click on Open with > Google Docs.

• Select the table and copy it using Ctrl + C (or Command + C).
• Open a new Google Sheets file.
• Select an initial cell in the Google Sheets file.
• Paste your table by using Ctrl + V (or Command + V).

However, there are a few crucial things to remember when utilizing this technique. This approach might not work if the data in a PDF file is stored in plaintext rather than in a table with rows and columns. You risk importing hidden table cells or characters when you copy data from a PDF into Google Sheets.

This method might not be the best if you want to keep the data as formatted in the PDF file.

Convert the PDF to Text with OCR – Free

There are several online tools that can help you convert PDFs to text. This would allow you to extract the data but adding it to your Google Sheet might not be the same as in the PDF file, it always depends on the structure.

Optionally you can convert PDF files to text directly from Google Sheets using the FileDrop add-on for Sheets. This method is effortless to use especially if you do this task often.

Let’s take a look at how FileDrop works.

• Install the FileDrop add-on and click to start it. The add-on will start in a few seconds and it will display as a sidebar with an upload area.

Extract text from PDF

Using this tool, you can extract texts from PDF files by uploading them or selecting them from your computer. And it can extract text from images as well, not only PDFs.

Go over the file in FileDrop and select the TXT icon over it and FileDrop will convert the PDF in text.

• You can insert the text in your Document by pressing insert or just copy what you need.
• There are two options when inserting the text in Google Sheets cells. First, all the text in one cell. Second, each line of text in its own cell.

How to extract text from PDF to Google Sheets Video Tutorial

Convert PDF to Excel (XLXS) and Import in  Google Sheets

With this option, you can convert any PDF file from your PC or Google Drive and keep it’s structure as it is. This is the best method to keep the data from the PDF as it is.

The process is easy:

1. Open the FileDrop Web Platform and click on the File Conversion or PDF to Excel tool.
2. Upload your file, click the convert button, and wait for the confirmation message.
3. In a few seconds the file is available for download. Save the file to your PC.
4. Go to Google Sheets -> File -> Import and add the file you got from FileDrop. Now the data in the Google Spreadsheet is the same as in the PDF.

Here is a video on how the tool works.

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Conclusion on How to Convert PDF to Google Sheets

Converting PDF files to Google Sheets sometimes might be challenging but knowing about the different methods mentioned above will help you.

With online tools such as FileDrop, you can quickly and automatically convert PDF data from multiple PDF files into Google Sheets.