How to Export HTML Tables to Excel? (3 Easy Ways)

Web scrapers commonly target information like prices, forms, calendars, and schedules. However, these data types are often presented on websites using HTML tables.

With its rows and columns, an HTML table makes data easy to understand but challenging to scrape. Fortunately, you can do it in three easy ways. 

Learn how to export HTML tables to Excel and understand the importance of doing so. Read on.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Exporting HTML tables to Excel makes it easy to organize and work with tabular data.
• There are three methods to export HTML tables to Excel. Each has its advantages and requirements.
• Copy-pasting is the easiest way to export HTML tables, requiring only a browser and Excel for quick data transfer. 
• The second method simplifies the process by directly importing data into Excel, bypassing the need for a browser. 
• You can also use JavaScript if you want automation when working with HTML tables for efficient data conversion.

3 Ways to Export HTML Table Data to Excel

Excel is a powerful tool for analyzing data. Its features allow users to organize and analyze data easily. By exporting HTML tables to Excel, you can make data analysis faster and more efficient. 

You can convert HTML tables to Excel directly in 3 ways. Each of these methods comes with its advantages and requirements:

1. Copy and Paste Method

The manual copy-paste trick is the simplest method to export HTML tables to Excel. This approach only requires a browser since you only have to copy tables from websites to Excel.

Here are the steps to export HTML tables to Excel by copying and pasting:

Step 1: Go to the website with the table you want to export. Here’s sample data from a webpage:

Step 2: Copy the data you need from the HTML table.

Step 3: Open Microsoft Excel and create a new file.

Step 4: Paste the table where you want it on the cell.

Step 5: Adjust the width and height of the columns and rows to fit the data well.

Step 6: Save the sheet as an Excel or CSV file.

2. Direct Import Method

Another method to import HTML tables into Excel sheets is through  “Get Data From Web.” This feature lets you transfer website data into Excel spreadsheets without a browser.

Here’s how you can export HTML to Excel through Direct Import: 

Step 1: Open Excel and create a new file.

Step 2: In the Data tab, click From Web andselect Get Data from External Sources.

Step 3: A pop-up will appear. Enter the URL of the HTML file with the table that you want to export. Click Go.

Step 4: On the left side of the screen, select the table you want from the list, then click Transform Data.

Step 5: Adjust the rows and columns to ensure everything looks right.

Step 6: Save the file.

3. JavaScript Method

This method uses Javascript to convert an HTML table into an Excel-supported format. Doing so allows you to work on HTML tables and automate data conversion. 

Follow these steps to learn how to export HTML tables to Excel using JavaScript:

Step 1: Create an HTML table on the webpage with proper structure.

Step 2: Include the “SheetJS” library with the script tag:

<script src= ‘path/to/xlsx.full.min.js’></script>

Step 3: Write the function to convert and export the table data using “SheetJS.”

function exportToExcel(){
      const table = document.getElementById(‘your-table-id-here’)
      const wb = XLSX.utils.table-to-book(table);
      XLSX.writeFile(wb, ‘data.xlsx’ );
}

Step 4: Add a clickable button to your HTML page.

<button id=’exportBtn’ onClick = “exportToExcel()”> Export Table</button>

Step 5: When you click the button, the script will work on downloading the file.

Conclusion

Exporting HTML tables to Excel allows you to handle data easily due to the spreadsheet program’s straightforward interface and practical features.

HTML tables in Excel connect visually appealing websites to robust spreadsheet tools, giving users the opportunity to work with big data sets. Each exporting technique mentioned in this article suits different needs, so use the best method for your needs and resources.

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By Muninder Adavelli

Muninder Adavelli is a core team member and Digital Growth Strategist at Techjury. With a strong background in marketing and a deep understanding of technology's role in digital marketing, he brings immense value to the TechJury team.