Power Query PDF Connector is missing

Question

Split from this thread.

I am having a similar issue...excel version is 16.78...want to use power query to "get data" from a pdf...but that option is not there. I can access "get data" and launch the power query editor but pdf is not listed!

Is it not available for Mac with the new microsoft 365? I learned the hard way that it isn't available on the license for Office Home & Business 2021 after I bought 2021 yesterday. After more research and documentation from multiple sources (one being Microsoft.com) that explained power query with the pdf option for Mac is only available through microsoft 365, I bought it today and I still don't see pdf as an option. Please help! big project just got thrown in my lap of over 1200 pages spread across multiple pdf files and each page has probably 3-4 tables of data to organize and I am running out of time...any advice will be greatly appreciated!! Thank you!

Answer 1

Hi

I am sorry that you were misinformed. The PDF connector is not yet available for Excel for Mac.

Currently being tested in the beta channel is an SQL connector. I know Microsoft wants to keep adding connectors, but the PDF one isn't in testing yet.

For time sake, you might consider installing Parallels, Excel for Windows and Windows on your Mac.

Or, you might test a file by opening it in Microsoft Word and saving it as text or XML, then using the text data connector or the XML data connector.

If that works with a test file, then you could write a macro that goes through your files and converts them from PDF to text in Microsoft Word.

Also, Power Query for Mac can be automated using Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications, AppleScript, Objective-C and JavaScript. If you are familiar with any of these programming languages you might be able to automate all or some of your task which could save you a lot of time if you're working with a large number of files.

Thank your for your help and suggestions! I am going to try your 1st and 2nd suggestions (thank you!) but I think the other ones are a little over my head. I wish I were more familiar programming languages! was never exposed to it. thanks again

Answer 2

Sorry to disappoint you but PQ in Excel for the Mac (any version) simply does NOT support connecting to PDF.

Answer 3

Hi

I am sorry that you were misinformed. The PDF connector is not yet available for Excel for Mac.

Currently being tested in the beta channel is an SQL connector. I know Microsoft wants to keep adding connectors, but the PDF one isn't in testing yet.

For time sake, you might consider installing Parallels, Excel for Windows and Windows on your Mac.

Or, you might test a file by opening it in Microsoft Word and saving it as text or XML, then using the text data connector or the XML data connector.

If that works with a test file, then you could write a macro that goes through your files and converts them from PDF to text in Microsoft Word.

Also, Power Query for Mac can be automated using Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications, AppleScript, Objective-C and JavaScript. If you are familiar with any of these programming languages you might be able to automate all or some of your task which could save you a lot of time if you're working with a large number of files.

Answer 4

Sorry to disappoint you but PQ in Excel for the Mac (any version) simply does NOT support connecting to PDF.

oh no say it isn't true!!! the reality I was refusing to face. oh well...totally appreciate your help...wasn't the answer I was hoping for but at least I have a little more time to research what might work. I love excel and I've missed it so much since I went back to my Mac and I really love this new MacBook Pro...microsoft, please share all of your excel with us...