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goranl19234833
goranl19234833
Known Participant
June 10, 2022
Question

Best/easy way to import tables from PDF

  • June 10, 2022
  • 4 replies
  • 403 views

Ok, I did a big mistake, I overwrote the original file and lost the native InDesign file.

For example, I delete all content from Chapter 3, then start to work on Chapter 4 and just click the Save button, and that way I lost the native Chapter 3.indd file.

 

I know I can't do anything now. I must create chapter 3 from start.

I have a PDF file chapter3.pdf.

 

My question is because, in that chapter 3, there are 10 very big tables, is there any way that I can import those tables in InDesign from my pdf file?

 

I tried to export a table from pdf to RTF format and I have good results in word, but when importing to ID all text is in separate text boxes, and the formatting is messed up. 

 

Thank you,

Goran

This topic has been closed for replies.

4 replies

goranl19234833
goranl19234833Author
Known Participant
June 13, 2022

Thank you all.

I tried everything and fortunately, nothing is helped.

I did not try plugins Markzwareand and Recosoft because they are not free.  

I guess I must start from scratch.

 

Thanks,

Goran

Dave Creamer of IDEAS
Community Expert
Dave Creamer of IDEASCommunity Expert
Community Expert
June 17, 2022

Can you upload a [sample] page?

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
    Dave Creamer of IDEAS
    Community Expert
    Dave Creamer of IDEASCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    June 11, 2022

    You can try:

    • Placing the PDF by page in ID using the multi-page PDF script including with ID.
    • Saving the PDF as a spreadsheet, not Word.
    • If the save-as spreadsheet option is too messy, marquee select the table (per page), right-click, and export as spreadsheet. Combine in Excel.
    • Use a PDF converter; check out Markzware.com and Recosoft.com
    David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
      Luke Jennings3
      Community Expert
      Luke Jennings3Community Expert
      Community Expert
      June 10, 2022

      There are a few utilities that can convert a pdf to InDesign, but you should not expect a perfect conversion, google "pdf to InDesign". You might also consider adding a back-up software, (like Time Machine for Mac) where you have the option to go back to an earlier version of your file.

        E
        Community Expert
        Eugene TysonCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        June 10, 2022

        You could try exporting your PDF to Word.

         

        https://www.adobe.com/ie/acrobat/how-to/pdf-to-word-doc-converter.html

         

        It might keep the table in tact - but you'll still have a bit of work to do.

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