Converting PDF to Excel in VB6: A Developer's Guide

Converting data from PDF to Excel format is a common task, and achieving this programmatically using Visual Basic 6 (VB6) can be quite efficient. This article explores the process of converting PDF files to Excel using VB6, addressing common challenges and providing a basic code example to get you started.

The Challenge: Automating PDF to Excel Conversion

Extracting data from PDFs and transferring it to Excel spreadsheets via code requires dealing with complexities such as PDF structure, text formatting, and potential errors during automation. This process usually involves using specific libraries or ActiveX components within VB6.

Initializing Adobe Objects in VB6

The initial code snippet shown below attempts to create Adobe Acrobat objects to handle PDF interaction.

Dim docpdf As Object
Dim appAA As Object
Set appAA = CreateObject("AcroExch.App")
Set docpdf = CreateObject("AcroExch.PDDoc")

The original poster encountered an "ActiveX component cannot create object" error, indicating that the necessary Adobe Acrobat components are either not correctly installed or properly registered on the system.

Troubleshooting ActiveX Component Errors

If you stumble upon an error message saying "ActiveX component cannot create object," check the following:

• Adobe Acrobat Installation: Ensure Adobe Acrobat (not just Adobe Reader) is installed. The code requires the full version to automate PDF handling.
• Component Registration: Verify that the necessary Acrobat ActiveX components are correctly registered in the system registry.
• Permissions: Ensure the VB6 application has the necessary permissions to access and utilize the Adobe Acrobat components.

Code Walkthrough: Automating the Conversion

Here’s a breakdown of the provided VB6 code for converting a PDF file to Excel:

1. Variable Declaration:

   Dim strFileName As String, intNOP As Integer, arrI As Variant
   Dim intC As Integer, intR As Integer, intBeg As Integer, intEnd As Integer
   Dim docpdf As Object, appAA As Object
   

   This section declares all the necessary variables, including strings for file names, integers for page numbers, and objects for PDF documents and applications.
2. Creating Adobe Objects:

   Set appAA = CreateObject("AcroExch.App")
   Set docpdf = CreateObject("AcroExch.PDDoc")
   

   This part attempts to create instances of the Adobe Acrobat application and PDF document objects.
3. Setting the File Path:

   strFileName = "C:\PDFToExcel\test.pdf" 'Source file name
   

   Defines the path to the PDF file you want to convert.
4. Opening the PDF:

   docpdf.Open (strFileName)
   

   Opens the specified PDF file.
5. Extracting the Number of Pages:

   intNOP = docpdf.GetNumPages
   

   Retrieves the total number of pages in the PDF file.
6. Excel Automation Loop:

   For intC = 1 To intNOP
       'Go To Page Number
       SendKeys ("+^n" & intC & "{ENTER}")
       'Select All Data In The PDF File's Active Page
       SendKeys ("^a"), True
       'Right-Click Mouse
       SendKeys ("+{F10}"), True
       'Copy Data As Table
       SendKeys ("c"), True
       'Minimize Adobe Window
       SendKeys ("%n"), True
       'Paste Data In This Workbook's Worksheet
       ActiveSheet.Paste
       'Select Next Paste Cell
       Range("A" & Range("A1").SpecialCells(xlLastCell).Row + 2).Select
       'Maximize Adobe Window
       SendKeys ("%x")
   Next intC
   

   This loop iterates through each page of the PDF, sending keystrokes to select all data, copy it as a table, and paste it into an Excel worksheet. The SendKeys method simulates keyboard actions, which can sometimes be unreliable.
7. Closing and Cleaning Up:

   'Close Adobe File and Window
   SendKeys ("^w"), True
   'Empty Object Variables
   Set appAA = Nothing: Set docpdf = Nothing
   

   Closes the Adobe file and releases the object variables.
8. Saving the Excel File:

   ActiveWorkbook.SaveAs Filename:="C:\ExcelConverter\PDFTOEXCEL.xlsm", _
   FileFormat:=xlOpenXMLWorkbookMacroEnabled, CreateBackup:=False
   

   Saves the converted data into an Excel macro-enabled workbook.

Considerations and Alternatives

• Reliability of SendKeys: The use of SendKeys can be prone to errors due to timing issues or interference from other applications.
• Alternative Libraries: Consider using more robust PDF libraries like iTextSharp (though primarily for .NET, you might find older compatible versions) or specialized ActiveX components designed for PDF extraction. These offer more direct and reliable control over PDF content.
• Optical Character Recognition (OCR): If the PDF contains scanned images of text, OCR technology is necessary to convert the images into editable text before exporting to Excel.

Refining the Code for Better Performance

Modify the code to directly access PDF content instead of relying on simulated keystrokes. Utilizing dedicated PDF libraries will result in faster and more reliable conversions.

Conclusion

Converting PDFs to Excel using VB6 is a complex task that requires a good understanding of both PDF structure and the tools available for programmatic manipulation. By addressing common errors such as ActiveX component issues and considering more robust PDF libraries, developers can create efficient and reliable conversion solutions.