Importing multiple PDF files at once using R tool

Question

I'm using the attached R tool to import PDF files.  It works great.  The only complaint I have is that it will not import more than one PDF file at once.  It's not the end of the world if it can't - I can always append my PDFs, and then import.  I'd just like to have the option.  Does anyone know how to do more than one PDF at once?

ParsigngPDFsUsingAlteryxandR - Copy.yxmd

jdunkerley79 · Accepted Answer

My R code is pretty messy but I think:

data <- read.Alteryx("#1",mode="data.frame")

df_txt <- data.frame(file = 'Top', txt = 'Top')

for (fullpath in data$FullPath) {
	txt <- pdftools::pdf_text(file.path(fullpath))
	df_new <- data.frame(file = fullpath, txt = txt)
	df_txt <- rbind(df_txt, df_new)
}
df_txt <- df_txt[-1,]

write.Alteryx(df_txt, 1)

Should read a list and write out as a big block with filename column

Claje · Accepted Answer

Another (Messy) way of doing this is to read in the data frame in chunks.  I've included some example code here which works.  This essentially turns your R code into a batch macro that runs once per line.

data <- read.Alteryx.First("#1", 1, mode="data.frame")
while (!is.null(data))
{
    write.Alteryx(data, 2)
# Use pdf_text() function to return a character vector
# containing the text for each page of the PDF
txt <- pdftools::pdf_text(file.path(data$FullPath))

# convert the character vector to a data frame
df_txt <- data.frame(txt)

# output the data frame in steam 1
write.Alteryx(df_txt, 1)

data <- read.Alteryx.Next("#1", mode="data.frame")
}

Pretty sure there is a way to simplify this and do the sequential write inside a loop without chunking the initial input, but I was having trouble getting that set up (R is not my most used language).