I just got a 179 page PDF file of tabular data (Names, Initials, Employee number, Hire date, etc.) and I need an Excel file of this data. The original file that created this PDF is nowhere to be found.

Does anyone know of a technique or program to make converting the PDF to a useable database as painless as possible.

I have Acrobat Pro 6, and MS Office to work with...................Help meeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

 

Does adobe have an "extract" or save as option that could work? Adobe Acrobt basically turns files into pictures rather than text files which I don't think you can really do anything with. You may have to search on the internet.

 

I just messed with it, I don't think it can be done..

I use it ever day, and a big reason I do is for quotes so that no one can change them.

From what I gather, its not data anymore, just a graphic, so it means nothing.

I eve tried OCR but it would not read it.

 

almost positive that wont be possible. Maybe you can search the web for some 3rd party software that might do it.

 

do a save as a rich text file... in acrobat distiller...

i'm assuming the data is 'formatted'...

then open it in excel.. and set your import options...

good luck.. and may the force be with you...

 

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, but, I didn't try "save as" before I posted.

From the looks of things, version 6 pro will export without using distiller. I opened the file, selected "Save As" and saved it as a text file. Acrobat exported a lovely comma delimited text file with all the fields where they should be. It imported right in to Excel without a hitch.

Now I can goof off for the rest of the day, and still have this thing ready in the morning.

Thanks -

 

Well there ya go.. I didn't try the simplist one of all.. man, that could save me some time in the future

 

Try this link for some tutorials and tips:

http://studio.adobe.com/tips/main.jsp

 

"You can dooo it!"

 

When I interned for a Fortune 5 company I had to teach (while learning myself) about 50 engineers how to create professional looking sales-oriented technical portfolios using Acrobat Pro, VISIO, and Office.

It really paid off...the same company hired me when I graduated - probably due to my successful project above.

The stuff looks simple until you have to blend it all together.