How to convert a PDF to CSV: A practical guide for UK businesses

Team Nomi

Oct 07, 2026
6 minutes read

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PDF files are useful for sharing and viewing information, but they are not always convenient when you need to work with the data inside them. If you have a bank statement, invoice, expense report, or financial table in PDF format, you may want to convert it into a CSV file so the information can be sorted, analysed or imported into another system.

CSV (Comma-Separated Values) is a simple file format that stores data in rows and columns. It is widely supported by spreadsheets, accounting software and other applications.

The best way to convert a PDF to CSV depends on the type of PDF and the data it contains.

Why convert a PDF to CSV?

PDFs are designed mainly for displaying information, which can make the data difficult to edit or reuse.

Converting a PDF to CSV can make it easier to:

• • Sort and filter data
  • Analyse financial information
  • Import data into accounting software
  • Work with information in spreadsheets
  • Reduce manual data entry
  • Reuse information from existing documents

For example, an accountant may receive a bank statement as a PDF when a structured data export is not available. Converting it to CSV can make the transaction data easier to work with.

If the bank already provides a CSV or other structured download, however, it is usually better to use that original file rather than convert the PDF.

What types of PDF can be converted to CSV?

PDF-to-CSV conversion can be useful for documents containing tables or structured information, such as:

• • Bank statements
  • Invoices
  • Expense reports
  • Sales reports
  • Transaction records
  • Supplier statements
  • Financial reports

Text-based PDFs with clear tables are generally easier to convert than scanned documents or PDFs with complex layouts.

How to convert a PDF to CSV

There are several ways to convert PDF data into CSV format.

1. Copy and paste the data

For a short PDF containing a simple table, you can copy the information into Excel or another spreadsheet and save it as a CSV file.

This can work for small amounts of data, but copying larger tables manually can be time-consuming and may introduce errors.

2. Use spreadsheet software

Some spreadsheet applications can import data from PDF files.

This can be useful when the PDF contains a clearly structured table. Once the data has been imported, you can check it and save the spreadsheet as a CSV file.

3. Use a PDF-to-CSV converter

Online conversion tools can extract information from a PDF and create a CSV file.

The process is generally

1. Upload the PDF.
2. Select CSV as the output format.
3. Extract the data.
4. Download the CSV file.
5. Check the data before using it.

If the document contains financial or personal information, check how the service handles uploaded files before using it.

4. Use AI to extract data

AI-based document processing can identify tables and other information in PDFs and turn them into structured data.

A typical process involves extracting the relevant information, organising it into rows and columns, and creating a CSV file.

AI can reduce manual data entry, but the resulting data should still be reviewed before it is used for bookkeeping, reconciliation or reporting.

Can a scanned PDF be converted to CSV?

Yes. However, scanned PDFs usually contain an image rather than selectable text, so they may require OCR (optical character recognition) or AI-based document recognition.

The quality of the scan can affect the result. Clear, high-resolution documents are generally easier to process than blurred or poorly scanned files.

Pay particular attention to:

• • Dates
  • Decimal values
  • VAT amounts
  • Negative numbers
  • Account numbers
  • Transaction descriptions

How to convert a PDF bank statement to CSV

Bank statements are a common reason for converting PDF files to CSV.

First, check whether your bank provides a CSV, Excel or other structured transaction download. If it does, use that option where possible.

If the statement is only available as a PDF, you can extract the transaction data and save it as CSV.

The resulting file may include:

• • Transaction date
  • Description
  • Debit
  • Credit
  • Balance
  • Reference

Always compare the converted data with the original statement before using it for bookkeeping or reconciliation.

How to convert PDF invoices to CSV

PDF invoices can also be converted into structured data.

Depending on the invoice, you may want to extract:

• • Invoice number
  • Invoice date
  • Supplier or customer
  • Description
  • Net amount
  • VAT
  • Total amount
  • Due date

Manual entry may be practical for a few invoices, while automated extraction can be more useful when dealing with larger volumes.

What should you check after converting a PDF to CSV?

A converted file should be checked before it is imported or used for analysis.

Check that:

• • All rows have been captured
  • Columns are correctly aligned
  • Dates are correct
  • Amounts and decimal places are correct
  • Negative values have been retained
  • There are no duplicate or missing transactions
  • The CSV opens correctly in the software you plan to use

For bank statements, also compare opening and closing balances with the original document.

Is it safe to convert financial PDFs online?

Financial PDFs can contain sensitive information, including bank details, transaction data, customer information, and supplier details.

Before uploading a document to an online conversion service, check its privacy policy and how it stores and processes uploaded files.

This is particularly important for accountants and bookkeepers handling client documents.

Can PDF-to-CSV conversion be automated?

Yes. PDF data extraction can be automated, particularly when businesses regularly process documents with similar layouts.

AI can identify tables and fields, extract the information and structure it into a CSV file. This can reduce repetitive data entry and make document processing faster.

However, automation should not replace appropriate checks, particularly when the data will be used for accounting purposes.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I convert a PDF to CSV for free?
   Yes. Free conversion methods and tools are available, although their features, file limits, and data-handling policies vary.
2. Can I convert a scanned PDF to CSV?
   Yes. Scanned PDFs can be processed using OCR or AI-based document recognition. The quality of the original scan can affect the result.
3. Can I convert a bank statement PDF to CSV?
   Yes. If your bank does not provide a CSV download, a PDF-to-CSV converter can extract transaction information. Always check the converted data against the original statement.
4. What is the difference between PDF and CSV?
   PDF is primarily designed to preserve the appearance of a document, while CSV stores structured data in rows and columns.
5. Can AI convert PDF tables to CSV?
   Yes. AI can identify tables and extract their contents into structured data. The resulting CSV should still be reviewed before use.
6. Can I import a CSV into accounting software?
   Many accounting applications support CSV imports, but the required format varies. Check the software’s import requirements before preparing the file.