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Extracting Tables from Bank Statements

Bank statements are notoriously difficult to parse because they often lack internal table borders and use complex merged headers. Here is how to handle them.

1. Smart Column Detection

TableForge scans your document for structural patterns to determine where columns naturally split. For best results, ensure your PDF is high-quality and predominantly text-based rather than a scanned image.

2. Splitting Merged Cells

Often, a "Description" column might run into a "Date" column. In the Verify screen:

  • Locate the merged cell.
  • Click the "Split" icon on the column header.
  • This will separate the data into two distinct fields without breaking the row structure.

3. Handling Debits and Credits

If your bank puts Debits and Credits in the same column (signed + or -), you can separate them in Excel later. If they are in separate columns in the PDF, TableForge should detect them automatically.

Pro Tip: Always check the last row. Bank statements often have "Total" rows that might not align with the data columns. You can delete these easily in the editor.