How to 'automatically' extract data from a messy PDF table to Excel

Ever had a gnarly PDF that you need to extract data and reshape? Today let me share an advanced Power Query trick with you. You can use this to reshape (split & combine) PDF tables. Later on in the video, I explain how to build a CUSTOM FUNCTION in Power Query so you can automate the task next time. Don't miss the ending!

📁Sample files:

Try it yourself on the PDF 👇

Completed Excel File with PowerQuery transformations + custom function 👇

⏱ IN THIS VIDEO:

0:00 - The PDF Table Problem
0:47 - Getting the data from PDF
1:40 - Power Query Parkour Time 🪑🏃‍♂️
4:16 - Creating a PQ Custom Function to split and combine tables
7:00 - Invoking the function on your PDFs
8:42 - But there is more...

👩‍💻 MORE VIDEOS ON POWER QUERY

Power Query - Automating 5 Data Tasks -

~

Why did the PDF break up with his girlfriend?
Because she is not on the same page 😂

#powerquery

[RajKumar-hwbt]

Great and Yes to see how the entire tables is clubbed into one.

[moisestatis]

Thank you Chandoo and a BIG YES to the following videos.

[the_creator]

Yes! Need the video! Have been looking for it to combine multiple pdf tables into power query.

[RomantiCynic]

Another great video, Chandoo, thanks! Definitely, yes, interested in the bigger Power Query project!

[samdeepak]

Yes, I'd love to see the next part of it.

[stevenreeve]

Another great video. Yes, I would like to see all tables in the entire document in one dataset.

[medher]

Amazing work Chandoo, YES, I would love to see how you solve the entire problem

[lovelittlepea]

Yes, please share your way of dealing with it. Thank you so much for sharing :D

[irfanahmad-itbp]

Awesome work and yes would love to see the next video.

[ahmedJaber]

Yes
Interesting always find tips about working with pdfs are worthwhile

[JavedAnsari-vba]

Thanks for sharing the knowledge Sir, yes I am interested to see how these tables can be combined

[georgemalinakis]

Yes Please Chandoo. Thanks being supported

[kazimuhammadyakubali]

yes we are eagerly to watch the next video of Power quarry

[outsideedge]

Yes please make a video on the entire PDF

[odfqkqe]

Interesting topic, thanks for Sharing the information.

[carocajiao]

Yes, I would love to see that. Thank you

[charanreddys]

Today I learnt about creating and calling the function.. love you boss ❤

[rxepdmgm]

Yes, We would like to see that option. Great 👍🏻

[abhinavx]

Thanks alot..and Yes for next Learning about this.

[bchy]

Yes plz, awaiting to watch the vdo...