PDF to ODS

Extract tables from a PDF into an OpenDocument Spreadsheet for LibreOffice Calc. Amounts become real numbers, with no upload.

Reviewed by Dany, RightSums team · Updated

Runs in your browser. Your files are not uploaded.

pdf-convert-from · PDF tool · UK & US

ODS is the spreadsheet format of LibreOffice Calc and OpenOffice, and Excel and Google Sheets open it as well. This tool reads the selectable text on each PDF page, finds the table columns from where the text lines up and puts each value in its column. Values like £1,234.50, 12% and (80.00) are stored as numbers with a matching format, while dates, phone numbers and codes with leading zeros stay as text. Choose one sheet per page or all pages on one sheet, and convert every page or just a range. Blank cells stay blank, so rows stay lined up; wrapped or merged cells may still need tidying. Scans need OCR first. Everything runs in your browser.

Accepted inputs

  • PDF

Outputs

  • ODS

How to use the PDF to ODS

  1. Open the PDF that contains your table.
  2. Type the pages you need, or leave the box empty for all of them.
  3. Choose one sheet per page or all pages in one sheet.
  4. Click Convert and open the .ods file in LibreOffice Calc.

Frequently asked questions

What is an ODS file?

ODS is the OpenDocument Spreadsheet format, the default for LibreOffice Calc and Apache OpenOffice. Excel, Google Sheets and Apple Numbers can open it too, so it is a good open alternative to XLSX.

How well are PDF tables converted to ODS?

Tables laid out in aligned columns convert well, including ones with empty cells and right-aligned amounts. The columns are found from where the text lines up, so a blank cell stays blank instead of shifting the row left. Text that wraps inside a cell, or merged cells, may still need tidying.

Are numbers kept as numbers?

Yes, where it is safe. Currency amounts, thousands separators, percentages and bracketed negatives are stored as numeric cells. Dates, phone numbers and IDs with leading zeros are kept as text so they are not altered.

Can I convert a scanned PDF?

Not directly. A scanned PDF has no selectable text, so the tool stops with a message. Add a text layer with the PDF OCR tool first, then convert the new PDF to ODS.

Is my data uploaded when converting to ODS?

No. The PDF is read and the spreadsheet is written in your browser, so invoices and statements stay on your device. Password-protected PDFs ask for the password, which is used only locally.

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