How to Extract Text from PDF
Pulling text from a PDF can often be a challenge, especially when dealing with complex layouts. Understanding how to extract text from PDF files is crucial for researchers, students, and professionals alike who need to analyze or repurpose the information.
This article will guide you through various methods available for extracting text from PDFs. Whether you're looking to convert a single document or process large batches of files, this comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and skills to effectively get text from any PDF file.
How to extract text from PDF?
PDF Candy Desktop
PDF Candy Desktop is a multifunctional software tailored for effective file management and PDF editing. With its wide-ranging tools, it caters to both everyday users and professionals who regularly handle PDF documents.
How to convert PDF to text:
- Visit the website to download PDF software for Windows.
- Follow the installation instructions. Launch the software.
- Locate the PDF data extractor. Click the icon to choose the file from which you want to get text.
- Press the "Extract text" button to initiate the PDF extraction process.
- After the conversion is complete, you can find the output in the pre-selected folder.
If the file is a scanned document or contains images, you’ll need to use the Optical Character Recognition (OCR) feature before PDF text extraction.
- On the main interface, find and select the "OCR" tool from the list of options. Hit it to load the PDF.
- Select the language of the text for more accurate recognition. Pick the output file format.
- Click the "Start" button to take text from PDF. This will convert the scanned text into retrievable data.
PDF Candy Desktop’s extractor is designed to maintain text accuracy and formatting as much as possible, reducing the need for further editing. Also, it’s batch processing feature allows you to export text from multiple PDFs at once, saving time and effort.
Adobe Acrobat
Acrobat is a powerful PDF software suite developed by Adobe, designed to manage, create, and edit documents with ease. Known for its extensive tools and versatility, the program is widely used by professionals, students, and businesses for a range of tasks.
With it you can extract PDF content in two ways.
Method 1. Grab text from PDF with "Copy and Paste"
- Open the PDF in the reader. Use the OCR function if applicable.
- Hit the "Selection Tool" (the cursor icon) from the toolbar.
- Highlight the needed text. Right-click it text and select "Copy" or use Ctrl + C (Windows) or Cmd + C (Mac).
- Paste it into a text editor (e.g., Word or Notepad) with Ctrl + V (Windows) or Cmd + V (Mac).
Method 2. Convert PDF to text
- Browse the PDF.
- Go to "Convert" > "Export To" > "Other Format" > "TXT".
- Press "Convert to TXT".
- Choose a destination and file name for the exported text, then click "Save".
Adobe Acrobat stands out as a robust solution for file management, offering comprehensive features like extracting text from PDF. While it provides exceptional functionality, the higher cost, resource demands, and learning curve may be considerations for more casual or budget-conscious users.
How to extract text from PDF: Conclusion
Whether you are a student, a professional, or someone who frequently works with documents, having the ability to pull text from PDF can streamline your workflow and improve efficiency.
By familiarizing yourself with the available techniques, you can easily convert PDF content into editable, actionable text. Choose the method that best fits your document type and requirements to achieve an accurate file.
Expert Tech Writer
