What does Extract PDF Tables do?
Extract PDF Tables is a free online tool that can extract layout-based text from PDF tables as TXT. The TXT result from Extract PDF Tables is a separate copy to inspect before you use it elsewhere. One possible use is simple tables inspected in a plain-text editor.
Table export here uses layout-based text export and returns a TXT file. It attempts to keep spatial alignment with spaces, which can make rows and columns easier to check.
It is not a dedicated table-reading engine and does not return a certain CSV or spreadsheet. Use it to obtain a starting point for manual cleanup, especially when a PDF already has a good text layer and simple tabular content.
The TXT result is text laid out with spaces. It is not a spreadsheet with typed cells and formulas.
Copy a small sample into your editor before handling the whole report. Check decimal marks and column alignment.
A visual scan without stored text needs a separate OCR step first. For column alignment tested before a separate import step, choose a copy whose source content suits that purpose. Keep a local source for another trial.
Extract aligned PDF table text online: steps
Before using Extract PDF Tables, decide what the new copy must contain and where it will be used. Choose a table with selectable text and record its expected column names and row count. Review the upload area and all values required by the current Extract PDF Tables form.
Choose the source
Check which spaces divide columns in the text result. For Extract PDF Tables, choose one source from your device. Keep a source copy for another attempt.
Review the form values
The Extract PDF Tables form has no extra task settings. Check the source in the file area.
Run the file task
Use Process Extract PDF Tables after checking the source and form values. Wait for the job to finish. An error means this attempt failed.
Save and check the output
Check whether each row and column still lines up, then validate totals and missing cells against the PDF. Store the output on your device. Name this copy separately from the original.
Table text: uses for Extract PDF Tables
Extract PDF Tables can help with financial rows prepared for manual reconciliation. It can also be used for tabular wording recovered for an authorized analysis. The TXT result from Extract PDF Tables must suit the intended reading or editing step, so keep the source until that check is complete.
- Simple tables inspected in a plain-text editor.
- Financial rows prepared for manual reconciliation.
- Tabular wording recovered for an authorized analysis.
- Column alignment tested before a separate import step.
Formats and limits for Extract PDF Tables
The Extract PDF Tables form accepts PDF sources. Each Extract PDF Tables upload can be up to 300 MB, which equals 300 MiB. The allowed suffixes on the Extract PDF Tables page do not prove that a source has valid content inside it.
| Accepted formats | Maximum file size | Output |
|---|---|---|
| 300 MB per file (300 MiB upload limit) | TXT |
Scanned tables need OCR first. Merged cells, wrapped lines and multi-page tables can require significant cleanup before spreadsheet use.
How this tool works
Extract PDF Tables uses Poppler to handle the source on the server. The Extract PDF Tables request uses your chosen input rather than any local editing project left on your device. Check the TXT contents produced by Extract PDF Tables before treating them as ready for another app or reader.
For Extract PDF Tables, your browser uploads the source to our file-processing server. This is a server task, not local editing.
Files are due for deletion within 1 hour. Cleanup runs during normal service operation. Keep a local download for future use.
Extract PDF Tables questions and answers
If Extract PDF Tables gives an unexpected result, start by checking the source type and the values used in the form. Check the TXT contents from Extract PDF Tables as well as the filename or displayed message. For another result type, compare Extract PDF Tables with the separate tools described in these answers.
What matters when using Extract PDF Tables?
Compare row totals with the PDF before rebuilding a sheet. View that area at its intended display size. Note any differences that affect your purpose.
Why try PDF to Excel?
PDF to Excel offers another task beside Extract PDF Tables: attempt a PDF to XLSX export with LibreOffice. PDF to Excel returns XLSX. The stated TXT output from Extract PDF Tables is not a listed input type for PDF to Excel.
Why try Extract PDF Text?
Extract PDF Text offers another task beside Extract PDF Tables: extract all text content from a PDF. Extract PDF Text returns TXT. The stated TXT output from Extract PDF Tables is not a listed input type for Extract PDF Text.
Why try OCR PDF?
OCR PDF offers another task beside Extract PDF Tables: make a scanned PDF searchable using Tesseract OCR. OCR PDF returns PDF. The stated TXT output from Extract PDF Tables is not a listed input type for OCR PDF.
What if my TXT result does not open?
For a failed Extract PDF Tables result, first confirm that the download completed and that the viewer supports TXT. Try another local viewer for that format.
Record any error message for support. Keep private source material out of the report.
How do I report a problem with Extract PDF Tables?
Contact support with the Extract PDF Tables page name, source format and the error you saw. Mention any relevant form settings you chose. Do not send passwords or private attachments.