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How to Use Online OCR to Convert PDF to Excel? (Step by Step)

Dealing with PDFs that are based on scanned images presents various challenges in accessing and manipulating information. These documents lack machine readability and make it difficult to extract valuable data efficiently. However, a practical solution for converting these PDFs to Excel is using Online OCR.

However, Online OCR lacks many features and may not work as you expect. So also introduce one offline solution, UPDF here, to help you convert scanned PDF to Excel. You can download UPDF here and check if it is what you need.

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Now, let's check how to use Online OCR to convert scanned PDF to Excel online.

Part 1: How to Use Online OCR to Convert Scanned PDF to Excel?

Online OCR is a popular online tool to convert scanned documents to Excel online for free. It utilizes advanced optical character recognition technology to transform scanned content into editable texts. After that, you can convert the editable scanned PDF to Excel. The steps are very simple. Just follow the below guide.

Step 1. Start the process by accessing the online tool directly on your preferred web browser. You can click here directly to access it.

Step 2. Now, you can click on the "Select File" to upload the PDF and choose the document language. Here is "English" as the file I uploaded is in English. Click on the "Convert" to start the OCR and converting process.

Convert scanned PDF to Excel with Online OCR

Step 3. Now, you can click on the "Download Output File" to download the converted Excel.

Part 2: Problems to Know When Using Online OCR to Convert PDF to Excel

Although Online OCR is a good and free way to convert scanned PDF to Excel, you need to know there are many disadvantages. Here are some key ones:

  1. The Result is Not Correct and Losses Format

After you convert scanned PDF to Excel with Online OCR, you will find the format is missing and the content in the Excel is not correct.

The table result is not correct and format losses

2. Too Many Ads

When you open the Online OCR website, you can find that there are too many ads there. It will be annoying when using it. Moreover, it is not safe to use it as you are redirected to some unsafe website.

Ads in Online OCR

    3. File Size Limitation

    You are not allowed to upload a scanned PDF that is larger than 15MB.

    With so many cons of using Online OCR, we recommend using offline tools for those who prioritize data security or confidential information handling. Moreover, they are really powerful and can make sure that format is not lost. Here, we recommend you to use UPDF as it has OCR, convert, and AI features that can help you convert scanned PDF to Excel per your needs.

    Part 3: The Best Alternative to Online OCR PDF to Excel Converter

    UPDF is an excellent alternative to online OCR PDF to Excel converters with a vast range of features that prioritize safeguarding your data. With its advanced OCR technology, UPDF turns scanned charts and tables into editable data for smooth processing in Excel. In addition, users can even preserve the layout of original charts while converting them to Excel file format.

    Not only this, but you can convert a PDF into other Office formats, PowerPoint and Word while maintaining the layout and formatting. Also, UPDF allows you to retain the image resolution while carrying out this conversion process.

    Moreover, if you have a scanned PDF with blurry content, you can use its AI to extract them correctly, then, copy them out to Excel to get an accurate result.

    So, download it now and enhance your document management and OCR PDF to Excel conversion experience.

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    Use OCR and Convert

    To use UPDF's OCR and convert to Scanned PDF to Excel, follow these simple steps.

    Step 1. Launch UPDF and Import the Scanned File

    Launch UPDF after installing it and hit the "Open File" button to choose and import the PDF file on which you want to perform OCR conversion.  

    Step 2. Perform OCR and Customize Its Settings

    After importing the file, hit the "Recognize Text Using OCR" tool in the right toolbar of the screen. Now, a side window will appear. Select the document language. Here, I select "English" to get accurate results. Afterward, begin the OCR conversion process by clicking the "Perform OCR" button.

    OCR scanned table PDF with UPDF on Windows

    Step 3. Export PDF In Excel Format

    After the OCR conversion is completed, the converted document will open on the software automatically. Then, click the "Export PDF" tool on the right panel and choose the "Excel" option from an extended menu. Now, hit the "Export" button to get the scanned file converted into Excel format.

    Export scanned table to Excel with UPDF

    Now, you can get the exported excel with format keeping. Therefore, we highly encourage you to hit the "Free Download" button to get a user-friendly and efficient tool for converting scanned documents to Excel.

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    If you still do not know how to use OCR of UPDF, you can watch the video below.

    Use AI

    If you find the scanned table is blurry and the result is not accurate, you can use UPDF's AI assistant to convert scanned PDF to Excel. Here is the guide.

    Step 1. Open the scanned PDF with UPDF. Now, you need to click on the "UPDF AI" icon. Go to "Chat" mode, and click on the "Screenshot" icon.

    Screenshot scanned PDF with UPDF AI windows

    Step 2. Now, enter the prompt "Extract the information and list them in a table like in the picture". UPDF AI will extract all the information. Highlight the extracted table as shown in the picture. Hold on "Ctrl+C" to copy the content.

    Step 3. Open the Excel, and paste by holding on "Ctrl+V" to paste it. Now, you can have the accurate result.

    Why not download UPDF to try on your own?

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    Part 4: Compare Online OCR and UPDF PDF to Excel Converter

    If you still do not know which one is better, you can check the table below for Online OCR PDF to Excel converter and UPDF comparison.

    FeaturesUPDFOnline OCR
    Customized Layout Settings
    Convert Custom Pages
    No File Size Limitations
    Safe to Use
    Internet Independence
    Fast Processing
    AI Features
    Accuracy

    By comparing the capabilities of these tools, we found that UPDF stands out as the superior choice for OCR PDF to Excel conversion. In addition to ensuring privacy and eliminating internet dependency, the other benefits of UPDF are given below:

    • UPDF is designed to use fewer resources and run smoothly on different computers while converting OCR files to Excel.
    • The integration of AI in the tool enhances the ability to work more accurately by improving precision and efficiency.
    • Furthermore, users can enjoy a complete set of tools for working and managing PDF documents, from editing to changing PDFs into different formats.
    • By staying up to date with the latest advancements, users can benefit from the evolving capabilities of UPDF for an optimized and dependable experience.

    After acknowledging the enhanced capabilities and additional benefits, we strongly recommend you download UPDF. Moreover, upgrade now to access additional features and faster processing times for a more efficient document conversion experience.

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    Conclusion

    Online OCR PDF to Excel converter can help you convert scanned PDF to Excel for free, but it has many drawbacks. So we recommend you download UPDF. It not only offers a user-friendly interface and quick conversion capabilities but also includes advanced features like AI integration for accurate result.

    To fully unlock the potential of PDF to Excel conversion and comprehensive document management, we highly recommend downloading and trying out UPDF. For an unbiased review of UPDF, check out iGeeksBlog to make a knowledgeable decision to streamline your document conversion process significantly.

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