Converting a PDF Output to Text

[Former Community Member]

Is there a way (process, service, or otherwise) to convert a PDF output form to a tab-delimited text file?

[HowardTreisman]

I'm not sure how this is possible. PDF is a rich visual format that includes fonts, postions, colours, images, boxex, lines, etc.

A tab delimited file is generally used for getting data in and out of a database.

These are pretty much incompatible data formats, unless your PDF is heavily structured.

What exactly are you trying to achieve?

Howard

http://www.avoka.com

[Former Community Member]

Well, I know I can export a pdf as plain text. The key here is that I need a tab-delimited text file, because the application that I need to import it into requires that format.



My process gathers data that is being inputted--manually at this time--into a db. By using this export, I can avoid the manual entry (copy) of data from the pdf form into the new application (DB). An importer would read the data off the tab-delimited text file.



Thank you!

[Former Community Member]

You can use the export Data operation (Form Data Integration service) to extract the form data to XML, and then use XSLT to transform it to text.



Export Data: http://livedocs.adobe.com/livecycle/es/wb_help/00000882.html

XSLT Transformation service: http://livedocs.adobe.com/livecycle/es/wb_help/00001006.html

[Former Community Member]

Scott,



I hope you can expand a little on the XSLT Transformation service. In particular, what I should use for XSLT Source and Transformation Result. I assume that the XML source is the one created with the Form Data Integration service.



Thank you!

[HowardTreisman]

You could even just use a SetValue service, and concatenate different values from the XML together, separated by commas.

Howard

[Former Community Member]

That's a great idea! But, how do I code a tab character? Or, would just a regular tab do?



Thanks!

[HowardTreisman]

Not sure about this, but you could try this:

Howard

http://www.avoka.com