7 tools compared on extraction accuracy, carrier coverage, pricing, and spreadsheet output.
Upload any document — PDF, scan, or photo — and get structured data back immediately. No setup, no templates, no waiting.
The best BOL to Excel tools in 2026 are Lido, Flexport, project44, FreightPOP, Trimble, Descartes, and FourKites. The key differentiator is how each tool handles the variety of carrier-specific BOL formats — template-based tools require separate configurations per carrier, while layout-agnostic AI tools read any BOL format automatically. Lido starts at $29/month with 50 free pages.
| Tool | Approach | Carrier coverage | Output formats | Batch | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lido | Layout-agnostic AI | Any carrier | Excel, Sheets, CSV, JSON | Yes | Free (50 pg), $29/mo |
| Flexport | Freight platform + OCR | Flexport network | CSV, platform export | Yes | Custom |
| project44 | Visibility platform | Major carriers | API, CSV | Yes | Custom |
| FreightPOP | TMS with extraction | Integrated carriers | Excel, CSV | Yes | ~$500/mo |
| Trimble | Enterprise TMS | Configured carriers | Custom exports | Yes | Custom (enterprise) |
| Descartes | Logistics platform | Pre-configured | CSV, EDI, API | Yes | Custom (enterprise) |
| FourKites | Visibility + capture | Major carriers | API, CSV | Yes | Custom |
Lido uses layout-agnostic AI to extract data from any bill of lading and output it directly to Excel or Google Sheets. There are no templates to configure and no per-carrier training required. Upload a scanned BOL, a photo from a warehouse dock, or a digital PDF, and Lido returns shipper, consignee, commodity, weight, freight class, and PRO number fields in seconds. Custom field extraction is defined in plain English. SOC 2 Type 2 and HIPAA compliant.
Flexport’s freight forwarding platform includes document capture for BOLs processed within its network. Data extraction works well for shipments managed through Flexport, but the tool is tied to Flexport’s freight management ecosystem. Not a standalone BOL-to-Excel converter.
project44 provides supply chain visibility and includes BOL document ingestion for tracked shipments. The platform excels at connecting BOL data to real-time tracking, but extraction is a secondary feature within a broader visibility subscription. Best for teams that need both tracking and document data in one platform.
FreightPOP is a multi-carrier TMS that generates and processes BOLs within its shipping workflow. It handles extraction for carriers integrated into the platform, but adding new carriers or processing BOLs outside the TMS workflow requires workarounds.
Trimble’s transportation management suite includes document capture as part of its enterprise logistics platform. BOL extraction is available for configured carriers, but setup requires IT involvement and the platform is designed for large fleet operations with complex compliance needs.
Descartes provides logistics technology including document management for customs, compliance, and shipping operations. BOL extraction is part of a broader document processing workflow. Best for enterprises already invested in Descartes’ global logistics network and EDI integrations.
FourKites offers real-time supply chain visibility with document capture capabilities. BOL data extraction feeds into shipment tracking and analytics. The platform focuses on visibility first, with document extraction as a supporting feature rather than a standalone tool.
Start with your carrier mix. If you process BOLs from dozens of carriers with different formats, a layout-agnostic tool like Lido eliminates per-carrier setup. If you ship through a single platform like Flexport, built-in extraction may be sufficient.
Consider your workflow. Do you need a standalone BOL converter, or is extraction part of a broader TMS or visibility workflow? Standalone tools offer more flexibility and lower costs. Platform-embedded tools add convenience but lock you into a specific ecosystem.
Test on real documents. Bring scanned BOLs, dock photos, and carbon copies from your actual shipments. Lido’s 50-page free trial lets you test on your worst-quality documents before committing.
The fastest way to convert a bill of lading to Excel is with a layout-agnostic AI tool like Lido. Upload your BOL as a PDF or scanned image, and the AI extracts shipper, consignee, commodity, weight, and freight class fields into a structured spreadsheet in seconds — no templates or manual data entry required.
It depends on the tool. Template-based tools like Flexport require separate configurations per carrier. Layout-agnostic tools like Lido read the visual structure of any BOL — FedEx, UPS, DHL, regional freight carriers — and extract data without per-carrier setup or training.
Pricing ranges from $29/month for layout-agnostic tools like Lido (with 50 free pages) to enterprise-only pricing for platforms like Trimble and Descartes. Logistics-specific platforms like Flexport and project44 bundle BOL extraction into broader freight management subscriptions that start at several thousand dollars per month.
Modern BOL to Excel tools extract shipper and consignee names, addresses, PRO numbers, PO numbers, commodity descriptions, freight class, weight, piece count, carrier SCAC codes, trailer numbers, and special handling instructions. Layout-agnostic tools like Lido also support custom field extraction defined in plain English.
50 free pages. No credit card required.
50 free pages. No credit card required.