PDF Conversion Troubleshooting Guide

Step-by-step solutions for common PDF to Excel conversion problems

Quick Emergency Fixes

File won't upload: Check size (max 50MB), remove password, try Chrome/Firefox
Poor accuracy: Download fresh PDF from bank, ensure it's not a scan
Excel formatting: Select problem cells → warning icon → "Convert to Number"

🚀 Quick Fix Reference

File won't upload

Check file size (max 50MB), remove password protection, try different browser

Conversion is inaccurate

Download fresh PDF from bank, ensure it's not a low-quality scan

Numbers appear as text in Excel

Select cells → click warning icon → 'Convert to Number'

Dates look wrong

Right-click date column → Format Cells → Date → choose correct format

Process hangs or freezes

Wait 5 minutes, close other tabs, try different browser

✅ Before You Start Troubleshooting

Check Your File

  • • File size under 50MB
  • • Not password protected
  • • Contains readable text (not just images)
  • • Downloaded recently from your bank

Check Your Browser

  • • Using Chrome, Firefox, or Safari
  • • JavaScript enabled
  • • Popup blockers disabled
  • • Stable internet connection

📤File Upload Issues

PDF won't upload or upload fails

Solutions:

  1. 1Check file size - maximum 50MB allowed
  2. 2Clear browser cache and cookies
  3. 3Try a different web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari)
  4. 4Ensure stable internet connection
  5. 5Disable browser extensions temporarily
  6. 6Try uploading from an incognito/private window

Upload appears successful but nothing happens

Solutions:

  1. 1Wait 30-60 seconds for processing to begin
  2. 2Check if popup blockers are enabled (disable them)
  3. 3Refresh the page and try again
  4. 4Try uploading one page at a time if multi-page document
  5. 5Check browser console for JavaScript errors (F12 → Console)

File too large error

Solutions:

  1. 1Split large PDFs into smaller sections using PDF tools
  2. 2Compress the PDF using online compression tools
  3. 3Download a fresh copy from your bank (may be smaller)
  4. 4Convert individual statement periods separately
  5. 5Contact support for enterprise solutions if regularly processing large files

🔒Password & Security Issues

PDF is password protected

Solutions:

  1. 1Remove password using PDF reader (File → Save As → Security → No Security)
  2. 2Use Adobe Reader: File → Print → Microsoft Print to PDF (saves without password)
  3. 3Try online PDF password removal tools (ensure they're secure)
  4. 4Download an unprotected version from your bank if available
  5. 5Use PDF editing software like PDFtk or similar tools

Bank statement download issues

Solutions:

  1. 1Try downloading from bank's website again
  2. 2Use different download format if bank offers options
  3. 3Clear bank website cookies and re-login
  4. 4Try downloading from bank's mobile app instead
  5. 5Contact bank technical support for download assistance

🎯Conversion Accuracy Problems

Missing transactions or incomplete data

Solutions:

  1. 1Check if PDF contains selectable text (try to highlight text)
  2. 2For scanned documents, ensure high quality/resolution
  3. 3Download a fresh copy from your bank
  4. 4Try converting individual pages to isolate problem areas
  5. 5Verify the PDF isn't corrupted by opening in multiple PDF readers
  6. 6Check if statement has unusual formatting or layout

Incorrect amounts or garbled numbers

Solutions:

  1. 1Ensure PDF uses standard number formatting
  2. 2Check for special characters in amount fields
  3. 3Verify PDF isn't a low-quality scan
  4. 4Try downloading statement in different format from bank
  5. 5For international statements, ensure proper currency symbols
  6. 6Manual correction may be needed for heavily formatted statements

Wrong dates or date format issues

Solutions:

  1. 1Check original PDF for date format consistency
  2. 2Verify statement covers expected date range
  3. 3Look for date format variations within same statement
  4. 4Use Excel date formatting tools after conversion
  5. 5For international dates, check regional format settings
  6. 6Manually verify a few dates against original PDF

📊Excel Format & Display Issues

Numbers showing as text in Excel

Solutions:

  1. 1Select affected cells → click warning icon → 'Convert to Number'
  2. 2Use Excel's Text to Columns feature (Data tab)
  3. 3Find & Replace to remove extra spaces or characters
  4. 4Change column format to 'Number' or 'Currency'
  5. 5Use VALUE() function: =VALUE(A1) to convert text to numbers
  6. 6Check for hidden characters using CLEAN() function

Dates not displaying correctly

Solutions:

  1. 1Select date column → Right-click → Format Cells → Date
  2. 2Choose appropriate date format for your region
  3. 3Use DATEVALUE() function if dates are text
  4. 4Check for consistent date separators (/, -, .)
  5. 5Verify year format (2-digit vs 4-digit)
  6. 6Use custom format: mm/dd/yyyy or dd/mm/yyyy as needed

Column alignment or formatting issues

Solutions:

  1. 1Use Excel's AutoFit feature (double-click column borders)
  2. 2Select all data → Format as Table for better organization
  3. 3Adjust column widths manually for better visibility
  4. 4Use Text to Columns if data is misaligned
  5. 5Apply currency formatting to amount columns
  6. 6Use Freeze Panes to keep headers visible while scrolling

💻Browser & Technical Issues

Conversion process freezes or hangs

Solutions:

  1. 1Wait up to 5 minutes for large files
  2. 2Close other browser tabs to free memory
  3. 3Try using Chrome or Firefox for better performance
  4. 4Restart browser and try again
  5. 5Check available storage space on device
  6. 6Disable browser extensions that might interfere

Download doesn't start automatically

Solutions:

  1. 1Check browser download settings
  2. 2Look for download notification in browser
  3. 3Check Downloads folder manually
  4. 4Right-click download link → Save As
  5. 5Disable popup blockers temporarily
  6. 6Try using a different browser

Repeated errors or system issues

Solutions:

  1. 1Clear all browser data (cache, cookies, storage)
  2. 2Update browser to latest version
  3. 3Try from different device or network
  4. 4Check firewall or security software settings
  5. 5Restart computer and try again
  6. 6Contact support with specific error messages

🔧 Advanced Troubleshooting

For Tech-Savvy Users

  • • Check browser console (F12) for JavaScript errors
  • • Test with browser dev tools network tab
  • • Try uploading via different network/VPN
  • • Use PDF repair tools for corrupted files
  • • Check Content Security Policy restrictions

PDF Analysis Tools

  • • Use Adobe Reader's Accessibility Checker
  • • Try copy/pasting text from PDF to verify readability
  • • Check PDF properties for creation method
  • • Use online PDF analyzers to check structure
  • • Compare file with successful conversions

📞 When to Contact Support

Contact our support team if you experience any of these issues after trying the solutions above:

  • • Consistent upload failures with multiple files
  • • Conversion accuracy below 90% with clear, text-based PDFs
  • • System errors or unexpected crashes
  • • Files that worked before suddenly failing
  • • Bank-specific formatting issues
  • • Large enterprise files needing special handling
  • • Integration questions for business accounts
  • • Data security or compliance questions
Contact SupportView FAQ

💡 Prevention Tips

Best File Practices

  • • Download fresh files from bank monthly
  • • Save files without passwords when possible
  • • Use high-quality PDF settings
  • • Keep file sizes reasonable (under 25MB)

Browser Optimization

  • • Keep browser updated
  • • Clear cache monthly
  • • Use Chrome or Firefox for best results
  • • Disable unnecessary extensions

Workflow Optimization

  • • Convert statements regularly
  • • Test new bank formats with small files first
  • • Keep backup copies of important files
  • • Document any recurring issues

Related Resources

PDF to Excel FAQ

Common questions and answers about conversion process

Step-by-Step Conversion Guide

Complete tutorial for successful conversions

Data Accuracy Standards

Learn about our quality guarantees and accuracy metrics

File Format Guide

Understanding different formats and compatibility

Ready to Try Again?

Armed with these troubleshooting tips, you're ready to successfully convert your PDF bank statements to Excel

Start Converting Now