Converting PDF files to Excel spreadsheets (XLS or XLSX) is a vital task in 2025 for analyzing data, automating reports, or importing tables into tools like Microsoft Excel. Free online converters make this process fast, accurate, and accessible without software downloads.
Whether you’re extracting tables from a financial report, invoices, or research data, these browser-based tools use AI and OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to preserve formulas, formatting, and cell structures.
This guide details the top free online methods to convert PDF to Excel, with step-by-step instructions and tips, featuring AmorPDF as a leading choice for its robust, user-friendly toolkit. Check More Here: Convert PDF to Word – Fast, Accurate, and Free Online Tool
Why Convert PDF to Excel?
PDFs are excellent for sharing but challenging for data manipulation. Converting to Excel enables:
- Data Analysis: Import tables into Excel for sorting, filtering, or charting.
- Automation: Use formulas, pivot tables, or macros on extracted data.
- Accuracy: OCR extracts text from scanned PDFs, preserving numbers and layouts.
- Efficiency: Save time over manual retyping, especially for multi-page documents.
- Compatibility: XLSX files work seamlessly with Excel, Google Sheets, or BI tools.
With remote work and data-driven decisions on the rise, online converters process files securely using 256-bit SSL encryption and delete them after 1–2 hours to ensure privacy.
Top Free Online PDF to Excel Conversion Tools in 2025
Free online converters process PDFs in the cloud, supporting drag-and-drop uploads, batch conversions, and OCR for scanned documents without registration. Below are the best tools, with a focus on AmorPDF’s comprehensive features.
1. AmorPDF: Accurate and Feature-Rich Converter
AmorPDF provides a free, high-precision PDF to Excel converter as part of its 30+ PDF tools. It supports both native and scanned PDFs, using AI-driven OCR to extract tables and formulas accurately.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Access the Tool: Visit amorpdf.com/pdf-to-excel and select the “PDF to Excel” option.
- Upload PDF: Drag and drop your PDF file (up to 100 MB) or click to browse. No sign-up needed.
- Choose Options: Select “OCR” for scanned PDFs to extract editable text and tables, or “Standard” for native files.
- Convert: Click “Convert to Excel” to process in seconds. AI detects tables, preserves cell structures, and handles formulas.
- Download: Preview the XLSX file and download it. Files are deleted from servers within 2 hours for privacy.
Pros: Free, no watermarks, supports batch conversion and OCR, integrates with tools like PDF compression or merging. Limitations: Internet-dependent; large files (>100 MB) may require premium (~$5/month). Best For: Professionals extracting data from reports or invoices.
2. SmallPDF: Simple and Reliable
SmallPDF offers a user-friendly PDF to Excel converter with strong OCR for scanned files, handling up to 5 GB.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Upload: Go to smallpdf.com/pdf-to-excel and drag your PDF.
- Select Mode: Enable OCR for scanned documents or use standard conversion.
- Convert: Click “Convert” to generate the XLSX file.
- Download: Save; edit further if needed.
Pros: Intuitive, mobile app support, good OCR accuracy. Limitations: Free version limits to 2 tasks/day; files deleted after 1 hour. Best For: Quick single-file conversions.
3. iLovePDF: Batch Conversion Power
iLovePDF excels at converting multiple PDFs to Excel, supporting up to 100 MB per file with OCR for scanned documents.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Upload: Visit ilovepdf.com/pdf-to-excel and select PDFs.
- Choose Settings: Enable OCR for scanned files or keep standard.
- Convert: Click “Convert to Excel” to process.
- Download: Save XLSX files individually or as a ZIP.
Pros: Batch processing, OCR support, customizable output. Limitations: Daily limits in free version; premium (~$6/month) for unlimited. Best For: Bulk data extraction.

4. PDF2Go: Secure and Versatile
PDF2Go converts PDFs to Excel with OCR and formatting preservation.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Upload: Go to pdf2go.com/pdf-to-excel and add your PDF.
- Adjust: Enable OCR for scanned files or keep settings.
- Convert: Click to process and preview.
- Download: Save the XLSX file.
Pros: Secure, no registration needed, good OCR. Limitations: Internet-dependent; daily limits. Best For: Users needing OCR flexibility.
5. Adobe Acrobat Online: Professional-Grade Conversion
Adobe’s online tool delivers high-accuracy PDF to Excel conversion for complex documents.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Upload: Visit adobe.com/acrobat/online/pdf-to-excel.html and select your PDF.
- Convert: Click to generate the XLSX file; OCR available for scanned files.
- Customize: Edit or adjust text if needed.
- Download: Save with optional Adobe account sign-in.
Pros: Trusted brand, excellent OCR and formatting. Limitations: Requires account; limited to small files. Best For: Professional data like financial reports.
6. PDF24 Tools: Cloud-Based Efficiency
PDF24 converts PDFs to Excel in the cloud.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Upload: Go to tools.pdf24.org/en/pdf-to-excel and add your file.
- Keep Mode: Select OCR for scanned PDFs or standard.
- Convert: Process and preview.
- Download: Save the XLSX file.
Pros: Ad-free, secure deletion after use. Limitations: Basic interface; requires internet. Best For: Simple conversions with OCR.
7. Sejda: Precise Conversion Control
Sejda offers PDF to Excel conversion with detailed formatting options.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Upload: Visit sejda.com/pdf-to-excel and add your PDF.
- Set Options: Enable OCR or keep keep original layout.
- Convert: Process the file.
- Download: Save the XLSX.
Pros: Precise control, no registration. Limitations: Free for <200 pages. Best For: Custom-formatted outputs.
8. PDFgear: Privacy-Focused
PDFgear processes conversions locally in your browser.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Upload: Go to pdfgear.com/pdf-to-excel and drag your PDF.
- Convert: Process with OCR options.
- Download: Save the XLSX file.
- Preview: Verify data extraction.
Pros: No data uploads, unlimited use. Limitations: Browser-dependent; slower for large files. Best For: Privacy-conscious users.
9. FreePDFConvert: Batch-Friendly
FreePDFConvert supports multiple PDFs to Excel conversion.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Upload: Visit freepdfconvert.com/pdf-to-excel and select files.
- Convert: Choose OCR or standard settings.
- Download: Save DOCX files as a ZIP for multiple files.
- Check: Ensure formulas and tables are intact.
Pros: Batch support, secure encryption. Limitations: Daily limits in free version. Best For: Bulk data extraction.
10. MaxAI: AI-Enhanced Conversion
MaxAI uses AI to optimize data extraction during PDF to Excel conversion.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Upload: Visit maxai.co/pdf-tools/pdf-to-excel.
- Customize: Use AI-suggested settings for accuracy.
- Convert: Process and review.
- Download: Save the XLSX file.
Pros: AI-driven accuracy, no limits. Limitations: Newer tool; test for compatibility. Best For: High-accuracy outputs.
Tips for Converting PDF to Excel
- OCR for Scanned PDFs: Enable OCR for scanned or image-based PDFs to extract editable tables and formulas.
- Table Detection: Check for accurate cell mapping, especially for complex tables with merged cells.
- Batch Processing: Convert multiple PDFs for projects like financial summaries or data imports.
- Security: Use SSL-encrypted tools (e.g., AmorPDF) for sensitive data; verify file deletion policies (1–2 hours).
- Preview Output: Review the XLSX file for preserved formulas, text alignment, and formula integrity before analyzing.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- File Size Limits: Split large PDFs first (e.g., using AmorPDF’s split tool) if over limits (100 MB on AmorPDF).
- Slow Processing: Ensure a stable internet connection (10–20 Mbps); clear browser cache for speed.
- Data Extraction Errors: Use “High Accuracy” OCR for scanned files; test with a single page to verify table structure.
- Formula Loss: Scanned PDFs may not preserve formulas—use native PDFs or manual entry for complex sheets.
- Browser Compatibility: Use Chrome or Firefox for WebGL support; update browsers regularly.
Conclusion
Converting PDF to Excel in 2025 is accurate and effortless with free online tools like AmorPDF, SmallPDF, and iLovePDF, offering secure, no-download solutions. Whether extracting tables from reports or importing data for analysis, these tools deliver editable XLSX files with precision. AmorPDF stands out for its AI-driven OCR, comprehensive toolkit, and privacy focus, making it a top choice. Start extracting data today at amorpdf.com.
FAQs
Is AmorPDF free for PDF to Excel conversion?
Yes, it’s completely free, with no registration or watermarks, supporting batch conversions and OCR.
How secure are online PDF to Excel converters?
Tools like AmorPDF use 256-bit SSL encryption and delete files within 1–2 hours for privacy.
Can I convert scanned PDFs to Excel?
Yes, tools like iLovePDF and AmorPDF offer OCR to extract tables and text from scanned documents.
What if the Excel file has formatting issues?
Use “High Accuracy” settings or test a sample page; complex layouts may need minor tweaks in Excel.
Do these converters work on mobile devices?
Yes, all are mobile-friendly, running on iOS or Android browsers with ~10 Mbps internet.