How to copy a table from a PDF to PowerPoint

Open the PDF in Word, copy the converted table, and paste it into PowerPoint. In Excel for Microsoft 365 you can also use Data, Get Data, From PDF, which handles larger tables well. A direct copy from a PDF reader usually pastes as plain text. Compare the figures with the PDF afterwards.

Through Word

Word can open a PDF and convert it. Find the table, select it, copy it, and paste it into PowerPoint with Keep Source Formatting or Use Destination Styles. Works best on PDFs with a real text layer.

Through Excel

In Excel for Microsoft 365 on Windows, choose Data, Get Data, From File, From PDF, pick the table, and load it. Copy the cells into PowerPoint. Excel also lets you check totals with a formula before you paste.

With a tool that keeps the table

Sliduno AI reads the tables in a PDF, writes them as native PowerPoint tables, right-aligns figures and marks totals. A table too tall for one slide continues on the next. It can also download every table in the document as an Excel workbook.

Always check

Merged cells, footnote marks and multi-level headings are where tables go wrong. Compare the totals and a few rows with the PDF.

In short

Open the PDF in Word or Excel. Let it convert the page, or use Get Data in Excel.
Copy the table. Select the table cells and copy them.
Paste into PowerPoint. Paste it as a table, then compare the figures with the PDF.

Questions

Why does my PDF table paste as text?

A PDF stores positioned text, not table cells. A PDF reader copies the text in reading order. Word and Excel rebuild the cells first.

Can I copy a table from a scanned PDF?

Only after text recognition. Check every figure afterwards, because recognition can misread digits.

Last updated 3 November 2026.