Extract Table Data from PDF Using Python and PDF.co Web API

Step 1: Install Pip Request

To begin, we need to install the requests module, which will help us make HTTP requests to the PDF.co API. In your command line or terminal, type the following command and hit Enter to install the requests library: python -m pip install requests

Step 2: Source Code Samples

Next, copy the Python sample code from this link. Then, paste the code into your editor (e.g., Visual Studio Code, PyCharm, or any editor of your choice).

Step 3: Setup Python Code Configuration

Now, let's set up the Python code with your specific configurations:

• API Key: Insert your API Key in the designated area within the code. You can find your API Key on your PDF.co Dashboard.
• Source File: Specify the name of the PDF file from which you want to extract table data.
• Output File Name: Enter the name for the output JSON file. You can also choose other output formats like XML or CSV.
• Template File: Provide the name of your template file for extracting table data. To create a template, use the Document Parser Template Editor. Refer to the tutorial on creating a new template for guidance.

For this demonstration, we will use Asynchronous mode for conversion. This will allow us to process the conversion in the background, making the program more efficient.

Step 4: Save the Python Program

After configuring the code settings, save the Python program in your chosen directory.

Step 5: Execute the Program

Once you have saved the program, run the Python script to see the results. If all configurations are correct, the program will successfully extract the table data from your PDF document. After execution, navigate to your Python folder to locate the generated JSON file.

Step 6: View JSON Result

Finally, open the output JSON file in your preferred JSON viewer. You will see the extracted table data formatted in JSON.