How to Convert PDF Bank Statement to Excel

Sandra Vu

By Sandra Vu

Converting PDF bank statements to Excel makes transaction data editable, searchable, and ready for analysis. Here's how to do it using different methods.

Method 1: Online Bank Statement Converter (Fastest)

Steps

  1. Go to a bank statement converter like Data River
  2. Upload your PDF bank statement
  3. Wait for processing (usually seconds)
  4. Download Excel file with structured transaction data

Pros

  • Fast and accurate
  • Handles complex layouts
  • Works with scanned PDFs
  • No software installation

Cons

  • Requires internet connection
  • Free tiers may have limits

Method 2: Adobe Acrobat Export

Steps

  1. Open PDF in Adobe Acrobat Pro
  2. Click "Export PDF" in the right panel
  3. Select "Spreadsheet" then "Microsoft Excel Workbook"
  4. Click Export and save the file

Pros

  • Built into software many already have
  • Works offline

Cons

  • Requires paid Acrobat Pro subscription
  • Results vary by PDF structure
  • Often needs manual cleanup

Method 3: Copy and Paste (Manual)

Steps

  1. Open PDF in any PDF reader
  2. Select transaction table with your cursor
  3. Copy (Ctrl+C / Cmd+C)
  4. Paste into Excel (Ctrl+V / Cmd+V)
  5. Use "Text to Columns" to separate data if needed

Pros

  • Free
  • No tools required

Cons

  • Time-consuming
  • Formatting often breaks
  • Doesn't work on scanned PDFs
  • Manual cleanup required

Method 4: Microsoft Excel Power Query

Steps

  1. Open Excel
  2. Go to Data > Get Data > From File > From PDF
  3. Select your PDF file
  4. Choose the table to import
  5. Click Load

Pros

  • Built into Excel (Microsoft 365)
  • Good for digital PDFs

Cons

  • Only works on text-based PDFs
  • May not recognize all tables
  • Requires Excel 365 or 2019+

Comparing Conversion Methods

MethodSpeedAccuracyScanned PDFsCost
Online converterFastHighYesFree/Paid
Adobe AcrobatMediumMediumNo$$$
Copy/PasteSlowLowNoFree
Excel Power QueryMediumMediumNoIncluded

Tips for Better Conversions

  1. Use digital PDFs when possible - they convert more accurately than scans
  2. Check the output - always verify amounts match the original
  3. Handle multi-page statements - ensure all pages are included
  4. Standardize date formats - convert to your preferred format after export

What to Do After Conversion

Once your bank statement is in Excel:

  • Sort transactions by date, amount, or description
  • Add categories for expense tracking
  • Create formulas to calculate totals
  • Import to accounting software like QuickBooks or Xero
  • Reconcile against your records

Summary

Converting PDF bank statements to Excel can be done in minutes with the right tool. Online converters offer the best combination of speed and accuracy, especially for scanned documents. For occasional use, built-in Excel features may suffice, but regular conversions benefit from dedicated tools.

Sandra Vu

About Sandra Vu

Sandra Vu is the founder of Data River and a financial software engineer with experience building document processing systems for accounting platforms. After spending years helping accountants and bookkeepers at enterprise fintech companies, she built Data River to solve the recurring problem of converting bank statement PDFs to usable data—a task she saw teams struggle with monthly.

Sandra's background in financial software engineering gives her deep insight into how bank statements are structured, why they're difficult to parse programmatically, and what accuracy really means for financial reconciliation. She's particularly focused on the unique challenges of processing statements from different banks, each with their own formatting quirks and layouts.

At Data River, Sandra leads the technical development of AI-powered document processing specifically optimized for financial documents. Her experience spans building parsers for thousands of bank formats, working directly with accounting teams to understand their workflows, and designing systems that prioritize accuracy and data security in financial automation.