How to OCR PDF to Excel for Data Extraction?

As we know it is a hassle to perform data calculation or editing in PDF files. While if we converting PDF to Excel, we are able to manage, analyze and organize data in Excel documents much easier. But when talking about handling OCR PDF to Excel on Mac or Windows PC, a professional PDF OCR Software might be your best bet.

Since PDF to Excel conversions are economically significant (possibly saving hours of re-keying and checking), in this tutorial I will use 2 professional OCR tools to convert scanned PDF files or images to Excel in a simple and easy-to-use manner.

If You Have Installed Adobe Acrobat

With its new Adobe Acrobat DC, Adobe products take in a large number of subscribed users again. If you have already installed Adobe Acrobat DC, OCR PDF to Excel on Mac or Windows PC with this amazing tool now. If not, try its free trial to decide if you want to invest such great money. Adobe Acrobat offers MacOS and Windows version, here we will take the Mac version to demonstrate how to convert scanned to PDF on mac.

1.  Run Adobe Acrobat DC and open scanned PDF with Adobe
2. Go to “Tools”, then choose “Export PDF”
3. Choose Export format “Spreadsheet”, then Export>Choose a different folder to save the file. Your scanned PDF will be converted to Excel on mac

Pros:

• Extended features available: Edit, protect, redact, create, organize, fill, sign, etc
• Highly accurate OCR results
• Other supported output formats: Word, PowerPoint, Image, HTML, Text, XML

Cons:

• High cost
• No batch conversion

If You Are Looking for a Dedicated OCR PDF to Excel Converter

For professional results, a dedicated OCR PDF to Excel Converter is mandatory. If Adobe puts you off with its high price, try the alternatives. Here we pick the best OCR PDF to Excel Converter for Mac and Windows PC users respectively.

Cisdem PDF OCR Converter is the ideal solution to OCR PDF and images to a fully formatted Excel on mac and windows, available for editing or calculation. It retains the original table’s row and column structure allowing you to easily format and manipulate numerical data from a price-list, or analytic report. In addition, Cisdem PDF Converter OCR can batch export native and scanned PDFs into 10+ formats, with different languages supported. Even, it supports to create PDF professionally.

Free Download macOS 10.14 or later Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7

Step 1. Launch and upload your scanned PDF

After you download the program, launch it on your computer, go to "Converter", then click “+” or drag&drop to add your scanned PDF into the program.
 

Step 2. Prepare for OCR PDF to Excel on Mac

First, download the OCR module to get OCR ready.

Step 3. OCR Settings

Choose the page range that you want to convert to Excel on Mac. Don’t forget to select the output format as Excel before OCR PDF to Excel on mac.

Step 3.OCR PDF to Excel on Mac

Click "Convert” to start OCR PDF to Excel on mac. The conversion status bar will indicate a successful conversion. Find the Excel file in output folder.

Pros:

• Highly accurate OCR results
• Bach conversion
• Total 10+ output formats
• Extended features: Create PDF and combine PDF

Cons:

• Cannot edit scanned PDF within the program

If You Want to OCR PDF to Excel for Free

Well, if you are looking for some free solution to ocr scanned PDF to Excel, online OCR programs may meet your needs.

Final Words

No matter you have installed Adobe or not, you can have a try on the professional PDF OCR Software, with the feature to convert scanned PDF to various editable formats on Mac or Windows PC, this tool won’t let you down on conversion status and easy operations.