Use a PDF to create data tables
Create tables from a PDF form using the PDF extractor tool in App Engine Studio.
Overview of creating tables from PDFs
The PDF extractor in App Engine Studio allows you to upload a PDF and then extract table fields for use in a custom app. This streamlines the process of building application data tables from pre-existing PDF forms because you no longer need to manually type in field labels.
General navigation
| Navigational element | Description |
|---|---|
| Collapse / expand icons ( |
Select these icons to toggle between collapsing or expanding the PDF and table panes. |
| Page controls ( |
Use the arrows at the bottom of the PDF to page through the document one page at a time or navigate directly to the beginning or end of the document. |
| Zoom controls ( |
Use the zoom controls to zoom in or out in the PDF. |
| Add new field icon ( |
Add a field column to your table manually by selecting +Add new field, and then enter details directly. This is similar to how you add fields on the Data tab of Table Builder. |
| Add reference table icon ( |
Select Add reference table in the right side panel to add a reference field in your table that points to a new table. |
| Open data table and form icon ( |
Select Open data table and form to open the selected table within Table Builder. |
Table additional actions list ( ) |
Use the table additional actions menu to edit basic properties for your table, or if you have added a reference table, select Delete to delete the table. |
| Trash icon ( |
Select the Trash icon ( |
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)PDF parsing limitations
- PDF cannot be converted from an image.
- PDF cannot be longer than 25 pages.
- PDF file size cannot exceed 5 MB.
- Languages other than English and French are not currently supported.
Create a table from a PDF form
Add data tables to your application by uploading a PDF in App Engine Studio.
시작하기 전에
- PDF cannot be converted from an image.
- PDF cannot be longer than 25 pages.
- PDF file size cannot exceed 5 MB.
- Languages other than English and French are not currently supported.
Role required: admin, sn_app_eng_studio.user, or delegated_developer
프로시저
-
Next to the Data heading, select the Add icon (
).
-
Select and upload the PDF.
You can drag the PDF file onto App Engine Studio or browse your computer.주:It may take a moment for the PDF to load. Select the trash icon (
) to clear the PDF selection.그림 1. Choose the PDF you want to upload
다음에 수행할 작업
Next, you will add fields from the uploaded PDF. Follow the steps in Add new fields from a PDF form to populate your new data table with field columns.
Add new fields from a PDF form
Add field columns to your data table using the PDF extractor in App Engine Studio.
시작하기 전에
Role required: admin, sn_app_eng_studio.user, or delegated_developer
프로시저
-
In the PDF, click on a field or text phrase to highlight it to use it as the
basis for a new field.
그림 2. Add fields from PDF -
Choose a Field type.
Field type refers to the type of data that the new column will store. For example, to store plain text in the column, select String. To understand the basic field properties, see Add and customize a field in a table.
Depending on the type that you select, you may need to fill in additional fields to further define the table column. For example, with Reference field types, search for and select the appropriate data table to reference.
- 옵션:
If you have chosen to create a choice field, perform the following
actions to populate options for the choice field.
- Choose a Choice Type from the menu. This controls whether or not the list will have None as an option.
- Click in the Choices field, and then enter text manually or select text on the PDF to automatically extract it.
- Click Add to add your choice to the list.
그림 3. Adding a choice field
- 옵션:
If you have chosen to create a choice field, perform the following
actions to populate options for the choice field.
-
Review the fields in your table and edit as necessary.
표 2. Table pane actions Action Description Move fields between tables To move a field between tables within the PDF extractor, change the selected Table Name to the desired table location. Delete reference table Delete any additional reference tables that you add by selecting Delete from the Additional actions list in the top right corner of the table ( )Add a new field Add a field column to your table manually by selecting +Add new field, and then enter details directly. This is similar to how you add fields on the Data tab of Table Builder.
Edit a field To edit field properties (e.g., Field type), click on the field property to select it, and then make your edits. Delete a field Select the Trash icon (
) to delete fields from a table.Open table within Table Builder Select Open data table and form to open the selected table within Table Builder.
다음에 수행할 작업
To open your data table in Table Builder, select Open data table and form above the displayed tables. For more information on editing your data tables in Table Builder, see Table Builder.
To add a reference table, see Add a reference table from a PDF form.
Add a reference table from a PDF form
Move fields into a new referenced data table using the PDF extractor in App Engine Studio.
시작하기 전에
Role required: admin, sn_app_eng_studio.user, or delegated_developer
이 태스크 정보
You may decide that you want to add some of the form information into separate tables that are referenced from the original table and can be referenced by other tables. For example, if you work for an insurance company, you may want to create separate data tables for bills, claims, and policies that can be referenced as separate data tables even though the information is extracted from a single PDF form.
프로시저
-
Select fields from your original table to add them to your new reference table.
These fields are related to the reference field you added to the current table.
그림 4. Add a reference table -
Review and edit the fields and table properties as necessary.
See General navigation for more information on additional navigational controls in the table pane.표 3. Table pane actions Action Description Move fields between tables To move a field between tables within the PDF extractor, change the selected Table Name to the desired table location. Delete reference table Delete any additional reference tables that you add by selecting Delete from the Additional actions list in the top right corner of the table ( )Add a new field Add a field column to your table manually by selecting +Add new field, and then enter details directly. This is similar to how you add fields on the Data tab of Table Builder.
Edit a field To edit field properties (e.g., Field type), click on the field property to select it, and then make your edits. Delete a field Select the Trash icon (
) to delete fields from a table.Open table within Table Builder Select Open data table and form to open the selected table within Table Builder.
다음에 수행할 작업
To open your data table in Table Builder, select Open data table and form above the displayed tables. For more information on editing your data tables in Table Builder, see Table Builder.