Stop retyping tables out of PDFs
A client sends a 60-page PDF statement, and you need the numbers in a spreadsheet by the afternoon. Copy and paste turns every column into a mess. Able2Extract Professional is a desktop PDF converter built for exactly this job, and it also covers editing, OCR, forms, signing and comparing PDFs.
Quick facts
- Version: 21
- Platforms: Windows, macOS and Linux (Ubuntu and Fedora)
- Price: $199.95 for a lifetime license, or $49.95 for a 30-day license
- Trial: 7 days, no credit card. You can convert one file without restrictions, then up to three pages of a PDF at a time.
- Refund: full refund within 14 days of an online purchase
Key features
Mark out your own rows and columns for Excel
With Custom PDF to Excel, you designate the column and row structure yourself and preview the output before converting. You can save the setup as a template for similar PDFs, such as monthly invoices. AI-powered Smart Templates find matching tables whatever their size or position on the page.
Convert only the part of a page you need
Pick a page range, a single page, one paragraph, or even one line of text. Output goes to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, AutoCAD (DWG and DXF), HTML, CSV, images (JPG, BMP, PNG, TIFF, GIF, WebP) and OpenOffice/LibreOffice formats.
Turn scanned PDFs into editable files
The built-in OCR converts image-only PDFs into editable, searchable content, including poor-quality scans. It reads English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Greek, Danish, Norwegian, Finnish and Swedish.
Process whole folders in one go
Batch conversion queues up many PDFs or entire directories. Batch OCR handles scanned files, and Master Templates sort documents into categories and apply the matching Excel template automatically.
Edit, fill, sign and protect PDFs
You can edit text, add images and vector shapes, insert Bates numbering, and merge, split, resize, compress or repair PDFs. You can fill in forms or build new fillable ones, and export form data to CSV or Excel. Security tools include digital signatures, signature validation, 256-bit password protection, permission levels, redaction and watermarks.
Compare two documents side by side
Compare any two printable documents to see added, edited or deleted text and images. You can mark up the differences and save the result as an annotated PDF.
Who it's for
It suits accountants, analysts, engineers and office teams who regularly pull tables, statements and reports out of PDFs. It also suits anyone who wants to work offline instead of uploading sensitive files to a web converter. If you only convert a file now and then, the free online tools from the same vendor may be enough. They are limited to one conversion a day.
Pros and cons
Pros
- One-time payment with no subscription required
- Custom Excel conversion with previews and reusable templates
- Fully offline desktop app on three operating systems
- Conversion, OCR, editing, forms, signing and comparing in one program
Cons
- No free version. The trial lasts 7 days and limits conversion after the first file.
- No ARM support. Macs with Apple Silicon need Rosetta 2.
- Windows support covers 64-bit editions of Windows 11 and 10 only.
- It needs about 650 MB of disk space on Windows.
- No web version of the full program
FAQs
Is there a free version?
No. You can try everything for 7 days, but conversion is limited in the trial. After it expires you need a license to keep using the program.
Do I need Adobe Acrobat?
No. Able2Extract Professional is a standalone desktop application with its own PDF viewer.
Does it work on Mac and Linux?
Yes. It runs on macOS 11 through 26, Ubuntu and Fedora, all 64-bit.
What does the lifetime license mean?
You pay once and keep the software, with no recurring fees. A 30-day license is also available for a lower upfront cost.
Which languages does the interface support?
English, Spanish, German, French, Italian and Portuguese.
System requirements
- Operating systems: Windows 11/10 and Windows Server 2025/2022/2019/2016 (64-bit); macOS 26 down to 11; Ubuntu 25.10 to 20.04; Fedora 43 to 35
- Processor: x86 architecture CPU
- Memory: 1+ GB of free memory
- Disk space: 650 MB on Windows, Ubuntu and Fedora; 1100 MB listed for macOS
- Display: 1366 x 768 resolution
- Other: administrative privileges to install. An internet connection may be needed for extra resources such as CJK fonts.