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# Gemini: The Smartest Way to Extract PDF Data!
- URL: https://www.jeffsu.org/newsletter-186/
- Published: 2024-11-28T13:00:02.000Z
- Updated: 2025-09-05T12:49:25.000Z
- Description: #186
- Author: Jeff
- Tags: #newsletter, Gemini

*(you can easily* [*filter previous issues*](https://www.jeffsu.org/filter-previous-editions-by-app/) *by application!)*

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Hey friends! Although today’s tip mainly focuses on a paid Gemini feature, I’ve also included a workaround for free users at the end.

Let’s dive in.

## Gemini in Google Sheets

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/db/85/db858a9d-1c4f-4993-8042-faa87b9bb3c1/content/images/2024/11/image-4.png)

Paid users have had access to Gemini in Google Sheets for a while now but to be honest, I’ve never really found a good use case…until now.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/db/85/db858a9d-1c4f-4993-8042-faa87b9bb3c1/content/images/2024/11/image-5.png)

As you can see in the above screenshot, I’ve tasked Gemini in Sheets with creating a table **not from scratch**, but from an **existing PDF document** stored in my Google Drive.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/db/85/db858a9d-1c4f-4993-8042-faa87b9bb3c1/content/images/2024/11/image-6.png)

Gemini outputs a structured table by bucketing similar content together, allowing me to (1) Get the highlights without going through a text-heavy PDF, and (2) Easily build on top of this initial view (it’s much harder to work with a PDF).

💡

****Pro tip:** You can reference any file your Google Drive, it doesn’t have to be a PDF.

## Workaround for Free Users

Free users can attach a PDF document to the standalone version of Gemini (or ChatGPT) and instruct it to output the information in a table format.

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**When you’re ready,** [here are all the ways how I can help](https://academy.jeffsu.org/?utm%5Fsource=newsletter&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fcampaign=footer).

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