It’s a while since we have highlighted a useful tool, but I had need to convert a PDF into an Excel spreadsheet this week, and realised that it would be good to share the tool we use for the job. I used the PDF to Excel converter from www.pdftoexcel.org. Although they do offer a desktop system Able2Extract PDF Converter 8 for $100, they also offer a free on-line service where you simply upload the file, and give them your email address. The file will then be converted and the resulting excel file emailed to you. You have to wait around 30 minutes for the file to be emailed, but I guess thats a small price to pay and if you want it instantly, you can always by the desktop software! In our experience it works well. This is also a good example of how giving something away, be it information or a service, is a great way of encouraging people to give you their email address. In this case, they know I am interested in what they offer, and they now have my contact details for future use.
