If you need to make changes to your data, convert your PDFs to CSV, first!
Are you looking for a step-by-step guide to convert PDF to CSV? Keep reading!
PDFs are great for preserving, storing, and sharing data. But they're not great if you need to work with, or make changes to, the data.
In this case, you'll want to convert the data in your PDF to a CSV file. CSVs are known for being lightweight, compatible with many different programs, and are best for organizing data.
But how do you convert a PDF to CSV?
If you try to convert PDFs, you'll quickly find out that you may need the help of additional tools.
Fortunately, it's probably easier than you think. Keep reading to learn how to easily convert PDF to CSV on your computer!
Here are some important tips to keep in mind when converting a PDF to CSV:
A Comma-Separated Values (CSV) file is a plain-text file that stores tabular data (rows and columns) by using commas to separate values. The file extension is .csv.
CSV files are often used to transfer (large amounts of) data between different applications, that otherwise.
Notable CSV features include:
CSV files are plain-text files that store a single data set in a tabular form (with rows and columns), and use commas to separate values.
Excel files are similar to CSV files, but contain the data sets from all the worksheets, they also all the additional content and formatting of the data. But this additional data comes with larger file sizes.
Excel files end in .xls or .xlsx as their extension.
Main differences between CSV and Excel include:
There are a number of reasons why you'd want to convert CSV files to PDF, but three main benefits are are:
While PDFs are useful for preserving, sharing, and viewing data, they aren't the best format if you need to further work with the data.
CSV files, on the other hand, are known for their flexibility and ability to work easily with various software applications.
If you need to use, change, or work with the data in your PDF, or use the data in a different application (spreadsheet or database), then you'll want to convert your PDF to CSV format.
CSVs have several other benefits over PDFs, including:
Depending on your converter, it's sometimes better to convert your PDF to Excel, first, then save your Excel file as a CSV file.
The best way to convert a PDF to CSV for free, online is with an online PDF to CSV converter.
A good online converter can instantly convert a PDF to CSV in your browser, from almost any device. Without needing to install or buy additional software.
We recommend PDF Pro's PDF to CSV Converter. No sign-up or email is required, and there's no limit on how many times you can use this free tool.
1. Visit PDF Pro's PDF to CSV Converter.
2. Upload your PDF.
3. Press Convert to CSV.
4. Download your file.
If you work with PDF and CSV files on a regular basis, then you'll want to invest in a PDF editor.
When it comes to PDF editors for Windows, we recommend PDF Pro: our all-in-one PDF editor, converter, security tool, and more. It's reliable, easy to use, and affordable. Try PDF Pro for Free.
1. Open the PDF you want to convert in PDF Pro.
2. Press the Create tab > To Excel.
3. Select the pages you want to convert. (Adjust other settings as needed).
4. Press Start.
5. Open your new file in Excel (if it doesn't open automatically), then press File.
6. Press Save As > Browse.
7. From the Save as type dropdown, select CSV (Comma delimited) (*.csv) as the file type.
8. Name your new CSV file, then press Save.
If you pay for Adobe Acrobat DC, you can use it to convert PDFs to CSV. Please note: this method isn't available in free versions of Acrobat DC or Adobe Reader.
Mac users can use Preview to copy-and-paste data from a PDF to a CSV file.
While this method isn't the fastest or best method for large amounts of data, it's free and can work in a pinch.
Preview Mac's built-in image and PDF viewer. You can use it to copy and paste text, data, and tables from PDF to a new CSV workbook, for free.
Please note: formatting issues are common with this method.
If you have data or tables in your PDF that you need to use or work with, then you'll want to convert your PDF file to CSV, first.
Since CSVs are in plain-text format, they're more flexible and compatible with various tools and software.
Depending on your converter, consider converting your PDF to Excel first, then saving your Excel file as a CSV.
However, please remember no method is perfect, so expect to redo some formatting.
In this 2024 guide, we've listed the easiest and best ways to convert PDF to CSV.
If you work with PDFs and CSVs on a regular basis, then you'll want to invest in a reliable PDF editor.
We recommend PDF Pro: our all-in-one PDF editor, converter, annotator, OCR and security tool, made specifically for Windows.
PDF Pro is lightweight, affordable, and easy to use.
Other things that make PDF Pro awesome:
Here are some commonly asked questions about converting PDF to CSV that we've answered for your benefit.
Yes you can! To do so you'll need a PDF editor that can convert PDFs to CSV or PDF to Excel (which you can then save the Excel file as a CSV file).
The easiest way is by using a PDF editor like PDF Pro. Open your PDF in PDF Pro, convert the file to Excel, then save your new Excel file as a CSV file.
Converting PDFs to CSV is never perfect, so formatting issues may occur regardless of the method you choose. For the most accurate conversions, use a PDF editor that excels in converting PDF files to CSV (or Excel), like PDF Pro.
The easiest way is by copy-and-pasting the data from the PDF into an Excel workbook, then saving the file as a CSV.
If you can select the text in your PDF, you can use Preview to copy-and-paste data into a CSV file.
Steps: Open the PDF in Preview, copy-and-paste the data from the PDF onto an Excel workbook. Then save that Excel file as a CSV.
If you pay for the premium version of Adobe Acrobat, you can use it to convert PDF to CSV.
Steps: Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat > Export PDF > Spreadsheet > Microsoft CSV Workbook > Export > Name your new CSV file > Save.
