Extract Text from PDF C#

Extracting text from PDF files is a common requirement in document processing tasks. This article provides an in-depth guide on using Aspose.PDF’s Text Extractor Plugin for efficient and versatile text extraction in C#. Whether you need to extract text from the entire document, specific pages, or defined regions, Aspose.PDF’s plugin facilitates high-performance PDF text extraction with minimal effort.

Features Covered:

Highlighting Aspose.PDF’s Text Extractor Plugin

Aspose.PDF’s Text Extractor Plugin for .NET is a reliable solution for extracting text from PDF documents. It is specifically designed for developers working with .NET applications, supporting both .NET Framework and .NET Core PDF text extraction. The plugin provides three operation modes:

  1. Pure Mode: Extracts text while retaining original formatting and structure.
  2. Raw Mode: Extracts text without formatting.
  3. Plain Mode: Extracts text and removes formatting and special characters.

Benefits:

  • Supports batch processing for multiple PDFs.
  • Offers customizable extraction settings to meet specific requirements.
  • Direct integration with .NET applications ensures seamless workflows.
  • Optimized for high-speed, accurate text extraction with minimal resource usage.

C# PDF Text Extraction Library

The Aspose.PDF for .NET library is a comprehensive tool for .NET developers looking for high-performance C# PDF text extraction. Install it via NuGet:

PM> Install-Package Aspose.PDF

You can also download the DLL to integrate it directly into your project as a reliable C# PDF text extraction solution.

Extract Text from a Whole PDF in C#

To extract all text from a PDF, follow these steps:

  1. Load the PDF using the Document class.
  2. Create a TextAbsorber object.
  3. Apply the absorber to all pages.
  4. Save the extracted text to a file.

Example Code:

Extract Text from Specific Pages in PDF

To extract text from a single page:

  1. Load the PDF.
  2. Create a TextAbsorber.
  3. Apply the absorber to the desired page.
  4. Save the extracted text.

Example Code:

Extract Text from Specific Regions in PDF

Extracting text from specific areas of a page involves defining rectangular coordinates. Steps include:

  1. Load the PDF.
  2. Configure TextSearchOptions for the defined region.
  3. Apply the TextAbsorber to the region.
  4. Save the extracted text.

Example Code:

Search and Extract Text Using Regex

Extract text matching a specific pattern using regular expressions:

  1. Load the PDF.
  2. Define a regex pattern.
  3. Apply the pattern using TextAbsorber.
  4. Extract matching text fragments.

Example Code:

Extract Table Data as Text in C#

To extract table content:

  1. Load the PDF.
  2. Use TableAbsorber to navigate through table structures.
  3. Extract text cell by cell.

Example Code:

Extract Highlighted Text in PDF

To extract highlighted text:

  1. Iterate through annotations.
  2. Filter [TextMarkupAnnotation][16].
  3. Retrieve and save highlighted fragments.

Example Code:

Optimize Text Extraction with Low Memory Usage

i) Using Reset() and FreeMemory():

  1. Call absorber.Reset() after processing each page.
  2. Free memory held by pages using page.FreeMemory().

ii) Using MemorySaving Mode:

Set TextExtractionOptions.TextFormattingMode to optimize memory usage during PDF text extraction.

Example Code:

Free C# PDF Text Extraction Library

Get a [free temporary license][10] for unrestricted access to Aspose.PDF for .NET and unlock its full potential for efficient C# PDF text extraction.

Conclusion

Aspose.PDF’s Text Extractor Plugin for .NET offers a versatile and efficient solution for reliable text extraction tasks. From whole documents to specific pages or regions, it streamlines the process with precision and speed, making it one of the best C# PDF text extraction libraries available. Try it today to simplify your PDF text extraction workflows.