# PDF to Excel: Arthize vs Smallpdf

_Updated July 2026 · Arthize · https://arthize.com/vs/smallpdf/pdf-to-excel_

To convert a PDF to Excel, Arthize offers a free, private pdf to excel with no watermark — a focused alternative to Smallpdf. Converting PDF to Excel detects table structure and rebuilds rows and columns into an editable .xlsx, OCRing scanned tables first.

## Arthize's pdf to excel vs Smallpdf

Smallpdf is a popular freemium web-based PDF toolkit. Smallpdf offers a clean set of web tools on a freemium model with usage limits on the free tier.

**Arthize's approach:** Converting PDF to Excel detects table structure and rebuilds rows and columns into an editable .xlsx, OCRing scanned tables first.

- Files are processed inside your private Arthize workspace and deleted after the job — never sold or used to train models.
- The free plan never adds a watermark to your output.
- Transparent pricing: free forever, Pro from $6/mo or $48/yr, and a one-time $149 lifetime option.
- A one-time lifetime option instead of only monthly billing.

## How to convert a PDF to Excel with Arthize

Table detection is what turns a PDF table into real spreadsheet cells instead of pasted text.

Scanned tables must be OCR'd before the numbers become editable.

Complex merged-cell layouts may need a quick manual tidy after conversion.

## How to convert a PDF to Excel with Arthize

1. **Open the convert tool** — Sign in, open Convert and choose Excel (XLSX).
2. **Add your PDF** — Upload the PDF with tables; scanned tables are OCR'd first.
3. **Convert** — Arthize detects the table structure and maps it into rows and columns.
4. **Download and check** — Clean tables convert nicely; complex merged-cell layouts may want a quick tidy.

## FAQ

### Is Arthize a good Smallpdf alternative to convert a PDF to Excel?

Yes. Converting PDF to Excel detects table structure and rebuilds rows and columns into an editable .xlsx, OCRing scanned tables first. Arthize does it free with no watermark and deletes the file after the job. Smallpdf is a well-designed option, especially for occasional one-off conversions.

### How do I convert a PDF table to Excel?

Converting PDF to Excel detects table structure and rebuilds rows and columns into an editable .xlsx, OCRing scanned tables first. On Arthize it's free with no watermark and processed privately.

### Can I convert a scanned PDF table to Excel?

Converting PDF to Excel detects table structure and rebuilds rows and columns into an editable .xlsx, OCRing scanned tables first. On Arthize it's free with no watermark and processed privately.