Convert PDF to CSV/Excel (how to use PDF2CSV)

This tutorial shows how to convert a PDF file from your bank or credit card statement to CSV format and import into Quickbooks Online.

Use the ProperConvert app to convert PDF to CSV. Other formats are supported as well.

PDFs (Portable Document Format) and Excel files are two different types of documents that are used for different purposes. PDFs are commonly used for documents that need to be shared and read electronically, while Excel files are used for storing and organizing data in a tabular form.

One reason why it can be hard to convert PDFs to Excel is that PDFs are primarily designed for display and reading, rather than for data entry and manipulation. PDFs are often used to present documents in a fixed layout that is independent of the software, hardware, and operating system being used. This means that the layout and formatting of a PDF document will remain the same no matter where it is opened, which is not the case with Excel files.

Another reason why it can be difficult to convert PDFs to Excel is that PDFs often contain a mixture of text, images, and other types of data, which can make it challenging to extract and organize the data in a meaningful way. For example, a PDF document may contain a table of data that is mixed in with other text and images, making it difficult to separate the data from the rest of the document.

There are also technical challenges involved in converting PDFs to Excel. PDFs are typically created using specialized software that includes advanced features such as encryption, password protection, and digital signatures. These features can make it difficult to access and extract the data from a PDF, even with the use of specialized tools.

In summary, converting PDFs to Excel can be challenging because PDFs are designed for display and reading, rather than for data entry and manipulation. PDFs can also contain a mixture of text, images, and other types of data, which can make it difficult to extract and organize the data. Additionally, technical challenges such as encryption and password protection can make it difficult to access and extract the data from a PDF.

Step by step instructions for Windows

Follow the steps below for the Windows version, followed by the Mac version.

Make sure you are using the latest version of PDF2CSV. Download it from the PDF2CSV download page. Start PDF2CSV and select a PDF file.

PDF2CSV Windows Step 1: select a PDF file

Review transactions before converting. Check that dates are correct, have the correct year, amount, withdrawals, and deposits are shown in corresponding columns.

PDF2CSV Windows Step 2: review transactions

Try the different PDF Libraries if your PDF file is not parsed correctly by the selected library. You can change the PDF library for better parsing a specific PDF file.

PDF2CSV Windows Step 3: PDF Library

Check with your accounting software for the expected format, in many cases, it has to be the system where you import data, expected for Quicken and Quickbooks. Set the year if missing manually.

PDF2CSV Windows Step 4: set year if missing

Choose the CSV Target: Regular CSV, Excel (XLS or XLSX), Quickbooks Online, Xero, Quicken for Mac (CSV Mint), POSH or copy to clipboard to be pasted into any spreadsheet software like Excel.

PDF2CSV Windows Step 5: CSV Target

Set the Date format for Quickbooks Online. Quickbooks online imports with Date format as MM/DD/YYYY.

PDF2CSV Windows Step 6: Date Format

Click the 'Convert' button to create a CSV file. For Excel targets, an Excel file will be created.

PDF2CSV Windows Step 7: click Convert

Confirm the file name and location.

PDF2CSV Windows Step 8: file name and location and save

Import created CSV file into Quickbooks Online

Now the CSV file is created, let's switch to Quickbooks online and import created CSV file. Look for 'Banking' and click on it.

PDF2CSV Windows Step 9: click Banking in Quickbooks

The next step is to select an account and click the 'File Upload' button.

PDF2CSV Windows Step 10: click File Upload in Quickbooks

Then click the 'Browse' button and select the created CSV file, click 'Next'.

PDF2CSV Windows Step 11: Browse and select created CSV file in Quickbooks

Then select an account in Quickbooks to import and click 'Next'.

PDF2CSV Windows Step 12: select an account in Quickbooks to import

The next step is to confirm the mapping and date format. Date and Description columns should be preselected and the amount column needs to be set. Click the 'Next' button.

PDF2CSV Windows Step 13: Map CSV columns in Quickbooks

Review transactions in Quickbooks online, before importing and click the 'Next' button.

PDF2CSV Windows Step 14: review transactions in Quickbooks

Finish the import by on the next step. Once the transactions are imported, you can review and categorize them under the account.

PDF2CSV Windows Step 15: import 22 transactions in Quickbooks

See this tutorial for Windows as a video:

Step by step instructions for macOS

Make sure you are using the latest version of PDF2CSV. Download it from the PDF2CSV download page. IMPORTANT: PDF2CSV is now replaced with the ProperConvert app, which converts from more formats and converts to more formats.

Start PDF2CSV and select a PDF file.

PDF2CSV Mac Step 1: select a PDF file

Review transactions before converting. Check that dates are correct, have the correct year, amount, withdrawals, and deposits are shown in corresponding columns.

PDF2CSV Mac Step 2: review transactions before converting

Choose the CSV Target: Regular CSV, Excel (XLS or XLSX), Quickbooks Online, Xero, Quicken for Mac (CSV Mint), POSH or copy to clipboard to be pasted into any spreadsheet software like Excel.

PDF2CSV Mac Step 3: CSV Target

Set Output Dates for Quickbooks Online. Quickbooks online imports with Date format as MM/DD/YYYY.

PDF2CSV Mac Step 4: setting Output Dates

Click the 'Convert' button to create a CSV file. For Excel targets, an Excel file will be created.

PDF2CSV Mac Step 5: click Convert Button

Confirm the file name and location.

PDF2CSV Mac Step 6: confirm name and location and save

Import created CSV file into Quickbooks Online

Now the CSV file is created, let's switch to Quickbooks online and import created CSV file. Look for 'Banking' and click on it.

PDF2CSV Mac Step 7: click Banking in Quickbooks

The next step is to select an account and click the 'Upload' button.

PDF2CSV Mac Step 8: File Upload in Quickbooks

Then click 'Browse' and select created CSV file, click 'Next'.

PDF2CSV Mac Step 9: Browse and select created CSV file in Quickbooks

Then select an account in Quickbooks to import and click 'Next'.

PDF2CSV Mac Step 10: select an account in Quickbooks

The next step is to confirm the Mapping and Date format. Date and Description columns should be preselected and the Amount column needs to be set. Click the 'Next' button.

PDF2CSV Mac Step 11: Map CSV Columns in Quickbooks

Review transactions in Quickbooks online, before importing and click the 'Next' button.

PDF2CSV Mac Step 12: review transactions in Quickbooks

Finish the import by on the next step.

PDF2CSV Mac Step 13: import 22 transactions in Quickbooks

Once the transactions are imported, you can review and categorize them under the account.

PDF2CSV Mac Step 14: transactions are imported in Quickbooks

See this tutorial for macOS as a video:

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