How to read adjacent columns in a pdf invoice

Question

Hello,

I have a pdf invoice from which I need to extract tables into an excel or csv file.

The main issue is the each page has 2 columns of tables adjacent to each other.

Also, I am using tabula to convert my pdf tables but it is not reading the 1st page table.

It is starting from the 2nd page.

This is how the columns are placed in the pdf.

My Python code and warning:

I am really stuck in this and any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Pankhudri

Pankhudri20 · Answer

Thank you!

Can you tell me what would work in reading right side columns (from date and time to call charges) and appending it below the left side columns(from date to call charges).

Please refer to the image above for placement of columns.

For example: In this screenshot, I need datetime 11 below 10 and 28 below 27. So, all the same columns needs to be appended below each other on every page.

21 is 2nd page. 35 would be 3rd page and so on.

Pankhudri

echuong1 · Answer

Now that the data is imported, you'll need to parse the data. This can be done with text to columns or regex. Regex looks like it'll be most helpful in your case. I suggest taking a look at the tool mastery:

https://community.alteryx.com/t5/Alteryx-Designer-Knowledge-Base/Tool-Mastery-RegEx/ta-p/37689

This parsing will apply to every row, so it'll include all pages. You can use filters to remove anything that isn't relevant.

Pankhudri20 · Answer

Hello @echuong1

Thank you for your response!

I did use pdf input tool to convert but I am still unable to read the adjacent columns in alteryx.

I need to read the 1st column and then 2nd column on the same page.

Same for every page in the pdf.

How can I achieve that in alteryx?