How to extract data from pdf files in Java (Tutorial)

This tutorial shows you how to extract pdf file form data in simple steps using JPedal Java PDF library.

JPedal includes extensive support for Interactive Forms and Components which it converts into Java Object representations and also allows access to Forms names and the GUI representations. The data can be accessed with a single call on a page or document basis.

How to Extract PDF Form Data in Java

1. Add JPedal to your class or module path. (download the trial jar).
2. Create a File handle, InputStream or URL pointing to the PDF file
3. Include a password if file password protected
4. Open the PDF file
5. Select the data type required
6. Close the PDF file

and the Java code to extract PDF Form data…

File file = new File("/path/to/document.pdf;

PdfFormUtilities extract=new PdfFormUtilities(file);

//extract.setPassword("password");

if (extract.openPDFFile()) {

    //all formNames

    Object[] names=extract.getFormComponentsFromDocument(null, ReturnValues.FORM_NAMES);


    // all forms in document called Mabel

    Object[] PDFObjectsAsPoJos=extract.getFormComponentsFromDocument("Mabel", ReturnValues.FORMOBJECTS_FROM_NAME);


    //a form with PDF Reference 25 0 R

    Object[] PDFObjectsAsPoJos=extract.getFormComponentsFromDocument("25 0 R", ReturnValues.FORMOBJECTS_FROM_REF);


    //all Swing versions of the Form objects

    Object[] swingComponents=extract.getFormComponentsFromDocument(null, ReturnValues.GUI_FORMS_FROM_NAME);


    //all formNames on page 5

    Object[] names=extract.getFormComponentsFromPage(null, ReturnValues.FORM_NAMES,5);


    // all forms in document called Mabel on page 5

    Object[] PDFObjectsAsPoJos=extract.getFormComponentsFromPage("Mabel", ReturnValues.FORMOBJECTS_FROM_NAME,5);


    //a form with PDF Reference 25 0 R on page 5

    Object[] PDFObjectsAsPoJos=extract.getFormComponentsFromPage("25 0 R", ReturnValues.FORMOBJECTS_FROM_REF,5);


    //all Swing versions of the Form objects on page 5

    Object[] swingComponents=extract.getFormComponentsFromPage(null, ReturnValues.GUI_FORMS_FROM_NAME,5);

}


extract.closePDFfile();

Why do developers choose JPedal over alternatives?

1. Actively developed commercial library with full support and no third party dependencies.
2. Simple licensing options and source code access for OEM users.
3. Process PDF files up to 3x faster than alternative Java PDF libraries.

Viewer viewer = new Viewer();
viewer.setupViewer();
viewer.executeCommand(ViewerCommands.OPENFILE, "pdfFile.pdf");

//Convenience static method (see class for additional options)
ExtractClippedImages.writeAllClippedImagesToDir("inputFileOrDirectory", "outputDir", "outputImageFormat", new String[] {"imageHeightAsFloat", "subDirectoryForHeight"});

//Convenience static method (see class for additional options)
ExtractTextAsWordList.writeAllWordlistsToDir("inputFileOrDirectory", "outputDir", -1);

//Convenience static method (see class for additional options)
ArrayList resultsForPages = FindTextInRectangle.findTextOnAllPages("/path/to/file.pdf", "textToFind");

PrintPdfPages print = new PrintPdfPages("C:/pdfs/mypdf.pdf");

if (print.openPDFFile()) {
    print.printAllPages("Printer Name");
}

//Convenience static method (see class for additional options)
ExtractClippedImages.writeAllClippedImagesToDir("inputFileOrDirectory", "outputDir", "outputImageFormat", new String[] {"imageHeightAsFloat", "subDirectoryForHeight"});