In this article, we will show you how to extract text from a PDF document. Simply follow the process below.
For this guide, we will be using Lido, a spreadsheet created to automate and streamline repetitive tasks. You can create your own account for free using this link: https://www.lido.app/go/signup.
Begin by navigating to the Lido Files page. Here, you can start a new spreadsheet by selecting the option to create a new file, which will be used to hold the data you extract from your PDF.
In your new spreadsheet, go to the File menu at the top of the screen and click "Import from PDF". This tool is specially designed to extract textual data from PDF files and input it directly into a spreadsheet.
Use the PDF importer to upload the PDF file you intend to work with. Make sure it’s the correct document from which you need to extract information.
Once your PDF is uploaded, a preview will appear. You can select the specific text you need by adjusting the boundaries around the text. Ensure only the desired text is within the selection area before clicking "Extract data".
Review the text extracted to confirm it's the correct section and accurately captured. If everything looks good, click “Insert at active cell” to place the text into the spreadsheet cell that is currently active. If you need more text, click "Back" to reselect; otherwise, you can close the importer tool by clicking the “x” button.
After inserting the text, select the column or the specific cells containing the extracted text. Copy the text using Cmd-C on a Mac or Ctrl-C on a Windows computer to use it elsewhere.
Navigate to where you want to use the copied text, such as an empty Google Docs document or another application, and paste it using Cmd-V for Mac or Ctrl-V for Windows.
For instance, this is what it would appear like in a Google Doc.
We hope that you now have a better understanding of how to extract text from a PDF.