In this article, we will explain what line item recognition is and how to automate line item recognition using the Lido app. Read on to learn more!
Line item recognition is a technology used to automatically identify and extract specific items listed on documents such as invoices or receipts. It helps in parsing detailed information like product descriptions, quantities, and prices, making data entry and analysis more efficient.
For example, a retail company receives an invoice detailing various products they've ordered, including quantities and prices. Line item recognition software can automatically extract and organize these details into a database, streamlining the company’s inventory management and payment processes.
To identify and extract line items from a PDF invoice automatically, we will use Lido, a tool designed to automate and simplify repetitive spreadsheet tasks. You can create a free account using this link: https://www.lido.app/go/signup.
Here, we'll use Lido's EXTRACTTABLESFROMPDF formula, which extracts all the tabular data it can find from a PDF file.
Log into your Google Drive account and upload the PDF invoice you need to extract line items from. Ensure the PDF is online for use with Lido’s tools.
Go to Lido’s Files page and click the "New file" button at the top right to start a new spreadsheet for managing the data from your PDF invoice.
Click the plus (+) icon at the top left corner next to your default sheet to insert a new worksheet.
In the new worksheet, go to cell A1 and enter the formula "=EXTRACTTABLESFROMPDF(".
Click "Add Credential" to link your Google Drive with Lido. Follow the instructions to connect your account and grant Lido access to your Google Drive.
Press the comma key to move to the next part of the formula. Click "Select a file" to open the file selector.
Locate and select the PDF invoice you uploaded earlier to Google Drive. This action links the PDF directly to the formula for data extraction.
Complete the formula by adding ",Sheet1!B2)" to specify cell B2 in Sheet1 as the start point for placing the extracted data. Press ENTER to apply the formula.
Right-click on the three-dot menu in cell A1 and select "Run action" from the context menu. This triggers the formula, extracting table data from your PDF invoice into the spreadsheet.
Go to Sheet1 to check the extracted data. Make sure the tables have been accurately extracted and accurately represent the line items in your invoice. Note that only table data will be extracted.
We hope that you now have a better understanding of line item recognition.