---
title: "Automatically extract handwritten tables from cloud folders to Excel"
canonical: "https://www.handwritingocr.com/integrations/handwritten-tables-to-excel"
pubDate: "2026-09-23T00:00:00.000Z"
updatedDate: "2026-09-23T00:00:00.000Z"
description: "Extract handwritten tables in Google Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive to Excel. Use two-step Zapier templates for intake and a separate return workflow."
subtitle: "Watch a Google Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive folder for scanned tables and send each supported file to Handwriting OCR with a two-step Zapier template."
---

If scanned logs, ledgers or field sheets land in a shared cloud folder, you can submit them for table extraction as they arrive. Handwriting OCR reads the rows and columns and returns an Excel (`.xlsx`) file. This workflow is for documents that already contain a table; for named fields on repeated forms, compare [Tables and Custom Extractors](/handwritten-pdf-to-excel) first.

## Pick your two-step intake template

Before you turn on an intake Zap, confirm your Handwriting OCR account has **Pro or Business** access to Tables and enough page credits. Trial credits can be used for a small test. If access or credits later run out, the Handwriting OCR step safely halts: the file is **not processed**, and you must restore access and resubmit it. Then [sign in to Zapier](https://zapier.com/app/login) and open a template in the same browser. Zapier shows a 404 page for guided-template links when you are signed out, even when the template is shared with everyone who has the link.

| Input folder | Template | Trigger detail |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [Google Drive](/integrations/google-drive) | [Extract tables from new Google Drive files](https://zapier.com/templates/details/extract-tables-from-new-google-drive-files-with-handwriting-ocr-a5f049) | New File in Folder |
| [Dropbox](/integrations/dropbox) | [Extract tables from new Dropbox files](https://zapier.com/templates/details/extract-tables-from-new-dropbox-files-with-handwriting-ocr-fa9ab1) | New File in Folder; file contents pass without a public sharing link |
| [OneDrive](/integrations/onedrive) | [Extract tables from new OneDrive files](https://zapier.com/templates/details/extract-tables-from-new-onedrive-files-with-handwriting-ocr-f2b22b) | New or Updated File; an in-place update can cause a second job |

Each intake Zap has only two steps: the storage trigger and Handwriting OCR's **Upload Document** action, with **Extract Tables** selected. The templates preserve the source filename and extension. Handwriting OCR checks whether the file type is supported before the API upload, so a separate Zapier Filter step is unnecessary. Supported inputs are PDF, JPG/JPEG, PNG, TIF/TIFF, BMP, GIF, WebP and AVIF.

The template submits the file; it does not contain the completed workbook in the upload step. Processing happens asynchronously.

## Save the workbook back to cloud storage

Add the matching [completed-results template on Zapier](https://zapier.com/apps/handwriting-ocr/integrations) for your provider. That is another two-step Zap: **New Processed Document** in Handwriting OCR, then a file upload to your selected storage folder. Automatic format selection saves table extraction as `.xlsx`. Set **Document Source** to **Zapier uploads only** if the return workflow should ignore documents submitted through the dashboard or API.

Put input and results in separate folders. A returned Excel file should never land in the folder watched by the intake Zap. The returned file is a new output, not an update to the source.

## Test with a representative table

1. Choose a small PDF or image that includes the handwriting and table layout you actually need to process.
2. Connect your storage account and Handwriting OCR account in the intake template. Select the input folder; leave **Extract Tables** set.
3. Add the matching result template and choose a different results folder.
4. Run one file through the whole workflow. Confirm that the result is an `.xlsx` workbook with the expected filename.
5. Compare important names, dates, numbers and totals with the original before using the spreadsheet downstream. For OneDrive, also edit a test source file and inspect whether a second job appears in Zap history.

Trial credits allow a small Tables test. Ongoing table extraction requires a Handwriting OCR **Pro or Business** subscription; Starter and pay-as-you-go credits do not include Tables. These are Handwriting OCR entitlements, distinct from Zapier's two-step workflow limit. A free Zapier plan also has its own task and polling limits, so check those against your expected volume.

[Try Handwriting OCR with your own table](https://dashboard.handwritingocr.com/register), or read the broader [Zapier integration guide](/integrations/zapier).