How to Extract Data from Images and PDFs for Power BI Reports?

If you’ve ever tried to build a Power BI dashboard from a scanned invoice, a screenshot, or a PDF report, you already know the struggle: you can't just copy and paste data from an image.

Power BI is a powerful data visualization and analytics platform—but it relies on structured data inputs, usually in Excel, CSV, or databases. Unfortunately, much of the data professionals receive today comes in the form of non-editable formats: images, PDFs, screenshots, or scanned reports.

So how do you bridge the gap between these static sources and Power BI?

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to extract data from images and PDFs using free, online tools like A2Z Converter’s OCR and PDF utilities, and prepare them for seamless use in Power BI.

Why This Problem Matters

Power BI empowers professionals with insights, visualizations, and dashboards—but it expects clean, structured input. And here’s the catch:

Yet, professionals across industries—marketing, sales, finance, logistics—routinely receive these formats in daily workflows. Manual data entry is time-consuming and error-prone.

Common Real-World Scenarios

Let’s look at some practical examples where this becomes a real pain point:

The Solution: Convert, Extract, and Prepare Data

This is where free online tools like A2Z Converter come into play. Let’s break it down step by step.

Step 1: Extract Text from Images Using OCR

Got a screenshot or scanned image of a table? Use the Image to Text (OCR) feature on A2Z Converter:

Image to Text Converter - A2Z Converter

Step 2: Extract Text from PDFs (Especially Scanned PDFs)

PDFs are tricky. Sometimes they're digital text (easy), but many times they’re scans or image-based. Here is a simple guide on how to convert PDF's to editable text

PDF to Text Converter - A2Z Converter

Step 3: Merge or Split PDF Data if Needed

Sometimes, you only need specific pages or you want to combine reports.

Merge PDF Online - A2Z Converter

Step 4: Clean the Data for Power BI

Once you’ve extracted the text:

Bonus Use Case: Clean Visuals for Dashboards

Power BI dashboards often need icons, logos, or thumbnails. You can clean these up using:

Online Background Remover - A2Z Converter

YouTube Thumbnail Downloader (for video data dashboards)

Why Choose A2Z Converter?

When handling sensitive business data or student assignments, privacy and speed matter. Here's why professionals and students prefer A2Z Converter:

FAQs

1. Can I use this to extract tables from invoices or receipts?

Yes! Use the OCR tool to extract text from scanned invoices. Then format the output in Excel.

2. Does the OCR work with handwritten text?

If the handwriting is clear, yes — though printed text yields the best results.

3. What image formats are supported?

JPG, PNG, BMP, WebP, and others.

4. Is there a file size limit?

Generally up to 10MB per file, depending on the tool.

5. Is this safe for business use?

Absolutely. Files are processed securely and not stored on servers.

6. Can I extract multiple pages of a PDF at once?

For image-based PDFs, extract each page and run through OCR. You can also split/merge pages using the PDF tools.

7. Does this tool convert to Excel directly?

Currently, OCR outputs plain text. You can paste into Excel and use formatting tools.

8. Can I use this on mobile?

Yes! A2Z Converter is mobile-friendly with no app installation needed.

9. What’s the best way to clean up OCR output for Power BI?

Use Excel or Power Query to structure the data (split columns, clean headers, remove extra rows).

10. Is there a cost to use A2Z Converter tools?

No, all features mentioned here are completely free.

Related Blogs

How to Create Micro-Presentations from PDFs and YouTube Videos Quickly

• 5 min Read

• Ai Tools

Introduction: Why Micro-Presentations Are Taking Over In today’s fast-paced digital world, long slide decks and lengthy videos often fail to grab attention. Instead, micro-presentations—short, impactful, and visually engaging presentations—are becoming the preferred format for students, educators,...

• August 29, 2025

• Read More

AI Tools for Students: A Complete Guide to Smarter Learning

• 7 min Read

• Ai Tools

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just a futuristic concept — it's now embedded in the everyday learning experience of students. Whether you’re in high school, college, or pursuing online certifications, AI tools can boost...

• July 30, 2025

• Read More