Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions? We've got answers.
What can the PDF data extractor pull from a document?
It pulls every field-and-value pair on the page — invoice numbers and line items, statement balances and transactions, form fields, contract dates and parties, ID lines, and any other labeled text — into clean key-value data, ready to export as JSON, CSV, Excel, or XML.
Does it read the whole PDF at once, or one page at a time?
One page at a time. You choose which page to process and the extraction applies only to that page, which keeps results accurate and predictable for long statements, reports, and contracts. To process a whole document automatically, see the batch and all-page options below.
How do I extract from a specific page of a long, multi-page PDF?
After uploading, use the page controls in the preview — Prev/Next, the page-number box, or the dropdown — to navigate to the page you want. Whatever page is shown in the preview is the page that gets extracted. Process it, then move to the next page and repeat.
Can I extract data from every page of a PDF in one go?
The free web tool runs one page per extraction by design. If you need all pages of a document — or thousands of pages across many files — pulled automatically, contact us about batch and all-page processing.
Does it work on scanned PDFs, or only digitally created ones?
Both. Whether your PDF was exported straight from accounting, ERP, or word-processing software, or scanned from a paper original, the AI reads the selected page and pulls its labeled values the same way. Clear, high-resolution scans give the best accuracy.
How does automatic extraction decide what to pull?
Auto mode analyzes the layout and text of the selected page and pairs each label with its value on its own — no templates, no field mapping, no configuration. It's the fastest way to handle a one-off or unfamiliar PDF.
When should I use manual mode and define my own fields?
Use manual mode when you process the same kind of PDF repeatedly — recurring invoices, a fixed statement layout, a standard application form — so every result carries the exact keys you name, in the same order. Add an optional description to each key to sharpen accuracy.
Can I save a field template and reuse it for the same kind of PDF?
Yes. In manual mode, define your keys and download them as a template (JSON or CSV). Upload that template for any future PDF of the same type to reproduce an identical field set, or download the current fields anytime to keep your templates in sync.
Can I edit the extracted data before downloading?
Yes. Results appear in an editable table — correct a misread figure, fix a label, add a field the AI missed, or delete a row you don't need. Your edits are baked into the exported file, so the download reflects exactly what you confirmed.
Can I download a template of the result layout?
Yes. From the results you can save the current field set as a template and reuse it on the next document — handy when you're working through a stack of similar PDFs and want consistent output every time.
What export formats can I download, and which fits which workflow?
JSON for APIs, scripts, and pipelines; CSV in horizontal layout (one row per document) for spreadsheet roll-ups, or vertical (key/value per row) for long-form reviews; Excel in horizontal or vertical .xlsx for analysts; and XML for legacy and document-management systems.
What other file types can I upload besides PDF?
PNG, JPG, TIFF, WebP, GIF, BMP, and SVG. So if a document arrives as a scan, a phone photo, or a multi-frame TIFF, you can run it through the same workflow without switching tools.
Is the PDF data extractor really free, with no signup or install?
Yes. The core extraction is completely free — no account, no credit card, no software to download, and no browser extension. Open the page, drop your PDF in, and export your data.
Is there a file size limit for PDFs?
Yes — uploads up to 50 MB per file are supported. For very large or high-page-count PDFs, split the document or extract just the pages you need; for heavy ongoing volume, ask us about scaling options.
What about password-protected PDFs?
Remove the password or save an unlocked copy before uploading — encrypted PDFs can't be read while they're locked. Once the protection is removed, the page extracts normally.
Is my PDF data private and secure?
Yes. Files are processed for your extraction request and are not stored, retained, or shared afterward. For organizations with compliance requirements — finance, healthcare, legal, government — contact us about local or on-premises deployment so PDFs never leave your infrastructure.
Can I use the tool in other languages?
Yes. The PDF data extractor is available in 20 languages, so you and your team can work in the interface you're most comfortable with.