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    Can't transfer PDF files to Excel on Mac

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by sholdon, Sep 8, 2011.

  1. sholdon

    sholdon Newbie

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    What options (if any) are there for importing a PDF file into Excel? I have a PDF file that contains four very clear columns (one with labels, the other three all numbers). I need this information in an excel sheet. It's quite a long PDF though, about 50 pages. Is there any simple way of importing? Will I need to buy software to convert?
    Your information is great appreciated
     
    sholdon, Sep 8, 2011
    #1
  2. kornchild2002

    kornchild2002 Notebook Deity

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    I ran into something similar a while back while working under Windows. There was some published data available only in a PDF file with non-selectable text with the data being presented in a chart. I opened the file in Adobe Acrobat Pro, copied the chart (which consisted of two columns and 20 rows), and was able to paste it into Excel 2007 through Windows. I was able to do something similar in OS X by opening an Excel file in Preview, copying the text of the chart, and pasting it into Excel 2011. The formatting of the pasted charts were not to my liking but the data was still in there.

    There is one website (located here) that can do this for free though you have to upload the PDF file and give them your e-mail. So be careful if the PDF file contains published data. I have also never used this website so I cannot comment on its legitimacy.
     
    kornchild2002, Sep 8, 2011
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  3. markhoward

    markhoward Newbie

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    When I've done it, I've used the "text select" tool in Acrobat Reader to select the table. then past into Excel, where it will usually paste it as text in a single column. Then use the "text to columns" command on the Data menu to parse the data into columns.
    To resolve these PDF converting problems, I'd like to share a column about PDF Converter Reviews. This has worked perfectly for me everytime I've tried it.
    Hope it can do you a favor...
     
    markhoward, Sep 10, 2011
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