Reading text from PDF file

I have a requirement of scanning a PDF document for a required piece of information and then extract it to excel file. Any possible way of doing this in Alteryx without having to go through the route of Python? The PDF input does not work for me as my employer has not paid for the upgraded functions in Alteryx. Thanks in Advance!

Python

Predictive Analysis

Text Mining

Prescriptive Analytics

Adobe

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dougperez

You will have to use the PDF input or python... I don't know any other method to do that, see the link below:
https://community.alteryx.com/t5/Alteryx-Designer-Discussions/How-To-Input-PDF-to-convert-to-Excel/td-p/460496#:~:text=The%20standard%20Alteryx%20input%20doesn,reader%20to%20your%20Designer%20toolbar.

JosephSerpis

You can use R instead of Python however that is still a coding approach.

https://community.alteryx.com/t5/Alteryx-Designer-Knowledge-Base/PDF-Parsing-in-Alteryx-using-R/ta-p/82627

Idyllic_Data_Geek

@JosephSerpis can you please assist me this R solution?

JosephSerpis

What do you need help with?

Idyllic_Data_Geek

I have a scanned letter so I think it is an image in PDF format.....I need to read the 2 pieces of information from it which was always be in the same place. The Python and the R solution is giving me errors...

JosephSerpis

Both Python and R approaches are about tacking Text in a PDF document rather than an Image. The screenshot below show the details from the R package being used in the example I shared.

Idyllic_Data_Geek

So how can I extract the data out of an image. I can't even install the extra R packages on my machine that some one else had mentioned here

markcurry

Hi @Idyllic_Data_Geek

If your PDF files haven't been OCR'ed you can use this 'PDF Input (Text and Image)' tool created by @DiganP ,

https://gallery.alteryx.com/#!app/PDF-Input--Text-and-Image-/5be5ec8d0462d71ffce6deaa

This tool uses 2 additional R packages (pdftools and tesseract). If you are blocked from installing R packages to your C:\Program Files\Alteryx\R-.... folder, you could try running the two workflows attached that will install them to C:\Users\<username>\Documents\R\win-library\<version>

Hopefully that helps.

Install tesseract.yxmd

Install pdftools.yxmd

Idyllic_Data_Geek

@markcurry I get the below error as I have the 2020 version installed on my Company computer.

Idyllic_Data_Geek

@markcurry I got the tool installed. I connected a pdf file and ran the workflow with view option. It gave me the below error. I'm also going to try to change the extension of the workflow and then change the version like you suggested. My requirement will be to read all the pdf files in a folder and then spit out the text in an excel file. I appreciate your help with this request of mine! 🙂

Idyllic_Data_Geek

@markcurry Are you able to save the file as Zip extension and share it here?

Idyllic_Data_Geek

@markcurry both the tesseract and PDFtools give me the below error when I try to install them...any idea on what am I missing? Thanks

markcurry

@Idyllic_Data_Geek , do you have the R or the Predictive Tools installed? If you search for R in the top right hand side, hopefully you have that installed, or do you have the Predictive tools installed? If not, do you have the option under the Options menu to download the Predictive tools?

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