Can we open a PDF in Google Sheets?

No. PDF files cannot be opened directly in Google Sheets because the program does not handle PDF formats. However, you can convert the PDF to a spreadsheet-friendly format using free tools such as Google Docs, the PDF to Sheets Add-on, or other reliable PDF converters, such as SwifDoo PDF. Once converted, the data can be effortlessly transferred into Google Sheets and updated.

Can Google Sheets extract data from PDF?

No. It is not possible to pull data directly from PDFs in Google Sheets without extra tools. To transfer PDF data into Google Sheets, either use a PDF to Google Sheets converter or first open the PDF in Google Docs, then copy or export the tables into Sheets. Add-ons and third-party tools can efficiently automate the extraction of structured or scanned PDFs.

How do I export data into Google Sheets?

Open Google Sheets, go to File > Import, and upload your CSV, Excel, or TSV file. Then, choose import settings and click Import data. You can also take advantage of built-in integrations, APIs, or add-ons to seamlessly bring data into Sheets.

PDF to Google Sheets Converter: 5 Best Choices

Introduction:

PDF files are widely used to share reports, invoices, and data, yet they can be hard to edit or analyze. Turning them into spreadsheets makes data searchable, editable, and easy to share for collaboration. Learn how a PDF to Google Sheets converter can make data editing and collaboration easier. Check out the top 5 solutions for effortless file conversion.

1. SwifDoo PDF

Best For: Efficient, precise PDF to Google Sheets conversion with simple navigation and offline processing.

Using SwifDoo PDF, users can efficiently convert PDF to Google Sheets, maintaining Excel formatting, layouts, and precise data. With this PDF to Google Sheet converter, all tables, charts, and numerical data stay preserved, making editing effortless.

SwifDoo PDF combines high-speed processing and precision, making it ideal for reports, invoices, and complex data files. It allows batch conversions while ensuring offline functionality for added protection. In addition, you can edit, compress, merge, split, and annotate PDFs before converting.

Pros

Enables users to quickly convert PDF to Excel without losing formatting.
Features an intuitive interface that reduces the learning curve for quicker conversions.
With AI, data extraction becomes faster, improving productivity for intricate documents.
Combines editing, conversion, and merging in one app for a streamlined workflow.
Focused on easing data extraction from uneditable PDFs for seamless Sheets integration.

Cons

The SwifDoo PDF for Mac has fewer advanced features than the Windows version.

2. Google Drive

Best For: Effortless, free PDF to Google Sheets conversion using Google Drive and Docs integration.

Google Drive functions as a reliable PDF to Google Sheets converter for everyday use. Users can upload PDF to Google Drive to extract tables and text via Google Docs. Supporting simple table detection and text extraction, it works well with text-based PDFs.

The conversion process is quick, cloud-based, and requires no additional software installation. In addition to conversion, Google Drive provides cloud storage, collaborative work, sharing, and automatic syncing across devices.

Pros

Free and easily accessible with a Google account.
It performs basic conversions without needing extra software.
Files are stored in Drive and accessible from any device with internet access.
The resulting Google Doc (and then Sheet) enables real-time collaboration.
Useful for basic, text-based PDF tables.

Cons

Expect lost fonts, images, tables, and layouts, especially with complex PDFs.
Converts to Docs first, requiring manual copy/paste or data extraction into Sheets, which is tedious.
Data in tables often gets jumbled or misaligned, requiring extensive manual correction.

3. PDF to Sheets Add-on

Best For: Converting PDF tables to Google Sheets without leaving your workspace.

PDF to Sheets Add-on is a specialized PDF to Google Sheets converter that transfers PDF tables directly into spreadsheets easily. It works inside Google Sheets, allowing users to convert structured PDFs while preserving rows, columns, and numerical data accuracy.

The add-on streamlines conversion without switching platforms, reduces manual data entry, and makes routine document processing more efficient, while also supporting quick table extraction and in-sheet workflow automation.

Pros

Functions directly inside Google Sheets, enabling seamless work without leaving the platform.
Aims to detect and maintain tables, columns, and data alignment from the PDF.
Quickly converts multi-page documents, far faster than manual data entry.
Automates data extraction, ideal for reports, forms, scientific tables, and notes.
Immediately makes PDF data usable in Sheets for sorting, filtering, and charting.
Often keeps your files private and protected within your Google environment.

Cons

Struggles with PDFs that have complex formatting, multi-column layouts, or non-standard tables.
Strong OCR capabilities are essential for processing scanned documents.
Requires user effort for organizing and formatting data properly.

4. Nanonets PDF to Google Sheets

Best For: AI-driven extraction and advanced OCR simplify handling scanned, unstructured, or complicated PDFs.

Nanonets is a high-accuracy AI-enabled PDF to Google Sheets converter for unstructured, scanned, and complex PDF data. It detects tables, fields, and patterns using OCR and AI, creating clean spreadsheet outputs with minimal manual work. Perfect for large-scale document processing, the tool provides automated workflows, integrations, and custom extraction models.

Pros

Intuitive, user-friendly interface simplifies setup and use, even for beginners.
Uses AI and OCR to extract tables precisely, with accuracy increasing as additional data is added.
Processes multiple PDF files with complicated table structures that typical converters can’t handle.
Optimizes workflows, supports API connections, and automates data processing.
Enables training of specialized models for particular document formats.

Cons

Advanced features can be expensive, making it less affordable for some.
Needs extra manual validation for non-standard or varied documents, like different invoice formats.
It can be slow on older or less powerful computers.
Struggles with oversized PDFs or files with highly unstructured content.

5. iLovePDF

Best For: Effortless PDF to spreadsheet conversion online with straightforward, essential tools.

iLovePDF is a free PDF to Google Sheets converter that allows users to turn PDFs into Excel for easy Sheets upload. Supporting precise table and text conversion, it provides a browser-based workflow and the ability to batch convert PDF to Excel efficiently. The tool also includes PDF compression, merging, splitting, and basic editing features.

Pros

Extremely intuitive, beginner-friendly interface for fast and easy tasks.
Connects well with Google Drive, making it easy to send files to Sheets.
Fast, web-based, no installation needed, saves time.
Handles basic needs, such as simple PDFs, well at no cost.
Converts to Word, Excel, JPG, and more; useful for extracting data from PDFs.

Cons

Because PDFs are visual, conversion to Sheets may misalign content or lose data.
May require significant manual correction in Google Sheets after conversion.
The Free version has file-size limits, and some features are premium-only.
Using external online tools for sensitive files exposes inherent privacy risks.

Final Wrap Up

Turning PDFs into editable spreadsheets is vital for smooth data management, and selecting the right PDF to Google Sheets converter saves effort and time.

Solutions like SwifDoo PDF, Google Drive, PDF to Sheets Add-on, Nanonets, and iLovePDF provide features ranging from precise formatting retention to AI-based extraction and batch processing. Choose any of these top 5 options to streamline your workflow and handle PDF data effortlessly.