How to Extract Data from PDF in C#

Extracting data from PDFs is crucial for saving time on manual inputting. This article explains how developers can use the IronPDF library to extract text and images from PDF documents.

IronPDF: C# PDF Library

IronPDF is a .NET library that can be used to create, edit, and convert PDF files. It provides an easy-to-use API for developers to use in their applications. It is one of the most popular libraries for creating, editing, and converting PDF files globally. With IronPDF, you can create a straightforward and quick solution to PDFs. Your text will be customized for each document, your layout will be set up for easy reading, and your graphics will be designed with help from the accompanying .NET program.

The IronPDF library has a fantastic feature for extracting data from PDF files. This article will look at how to extract data using IronPDF. First, a C# Project needs to be created or opened. Let's move on to the next section.

Create or Open a C# Project in Visual Studio

This tutorial recommends using the latest version of Visual Studio.

Once Visual Studio is opened, follow the steps below to create a new C# Project. If there is an existing project that you would like to use, then skip these next steps and proceed to the next section directly.

• Open Visual Studio
• Click on the "Create a new project" button.

Visual Studio opening UI

• Select the "C# Console Application" from the templates.

Create a new project

• Give a name to the Project and click on the Next button.
• Select a .NET Framework according to your project's requirements and click on the Create button.

.NET Framework selection

Visual Studio will now generate a new C# .NET project.

Install the IronPDF Library

The IronPDF library can be installed in multiple ways.

Using Package Manager Console

• Open the Package Manager Console by going to Tools > NuGet Package Manager > Package Manager Console.
• Run the following command to install the IronPDF library:

Install-Package IronPdf

Installation progress in the Package Manager Console tab

After installation, you will see the IronPDF dependency in the dependencies section of the Solution Explorer, as shown below.

Reference IronPdf package in Solution Explorer

Using the NuGet Package Manager

Another way to install the IronPDF library is by using Visual Studio's integrated NuGet Package Manager UI.

• Go to the Tools from the main menu. Hover on "NuGet Package Manager" from the drop-down menu and select the "Manage NuGet Packages for Solution...".

Navigate to NuGet Package Manager

• This will open the NuGet Package Manager window. Go to the Browse tab, write IronPdf in search, and press Enter.
• Select IronPDF from the search results and click on the "Install" button to begin the installation.

Install the IronPdf package from the NuGet Package Manager

Extract Data from PDF Files

Let's have a look at the following code on how to extract data using IronPDF:

// Import necessary namespaces
using IronPdf;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Drawing;

public class PDFExtractor
{
    public void ExtractDataFromPDF()
    {
        // Open a 128-bit encrypted PDF file by providing the filename and password
        using PdfDocument pdf = PdfDocument.FromFile("encrypted.pdf", "password");

        // Extract all text from the PDF document
        string allText = pdf.ExtractAllText();

        // Extract all images from the PDF document
        IEnumerable<Image> allImages = pdf.ExtractAllImages();

        // Iterate over each page in the PDF document
        for (var index = 0; index < pdf.PageCount; index++)
        {
            int pageNumber = index + 1;

            // Extract text from the specific page
            string text = pdf.ExtractTextFromPage(index);

            // Extract images from the specific page
            IEnumerable<Image> images = pdf.ExtractImagesFromPage(index);

            // Code to process the extracted text and images
            //...
        }
    }
}

// Import necessary namespaces
using IronPdf;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Drawing;

public class PDFExtractor
{
    public void ExtractDataFromPDF()
    {
        // Open a 128-bit encrypted PDF file by providing the filename and password
        using PdfDocument pdf = PdfDocument.FromFile("encrypted.pdf", "password");

        // Extract all text from the PDF document
        string allText = pdf.ExtractAllText();

        // Extract all images from the PDF document
        IEnumerable<Image> allImages = pdf.ExtractAllImages();

        // Iterate over each page in the PDF document
        for (var index = 0; index < pdf.PageCount; index++)
        {
            int pageNumber = index + 1;

            // Extract text from the specific page
            string text = pdf.ExtractTextFromPage(index);

            // Extract images from the specific page
            IEnumerable<Image> images = pdf.ExtractImagesFromPage(index);

            // Code to process the extracted text and images
            //...
        }
    }
}

' Import necessary namespaces

Imports IronPdf

Imports System.Collections.Generic

Imports System.Drawing



Public Class PDFExtractor

	Public Sub ExtractDataFromPDF()

		' Open a 128-bit encrypted PDF file by providing the filename and password

		Using pdf As PdfDocument = PdfDocument.FromFile("encrypted.pdf", "password")

	

			' Extract all text from the PDF document

			Dim allText As String = pdf.ExtractAllText()

	

			' Extract all images from the PDF document

			Dim allImages As IEnumerable(Of Image) = pdf.ExtractAllImages()

	

			' Iterate over each page in the PDF document

			For index = 0 To pdf.PageCount - 1

				Dim pageNumber As Integer = index + 1

	

				' Extract text from the specific page

				Dim text As String = pdf.ExtractTextFromPage(index)

	

				' Extract images from the specific page

				Dim images As IEnumerable(Of Image) = pdf.ExtractImagesFromPage(index)

	

				' Code to process the extracted text and images

				'...

			Next index

		End Using

	End Sub

End Class

In this code example:

1. The FromFile method is used to load the input PDF document, which is encrypted and requires a password.
2. The ExtractAllText method extracts all textual content from the PDF.
3. The ExtractAllImages method fetches all embedded images.
4. A loop iterates over each page of the document to extract text and images from that specific page using ExtractTextFromPage and ExtractImagesFromPage.

Conclusion

IronPDF allows developers to extract text and images from PDF files with ease. Using ExtractAllText and ExtractAllImages, the entire contents of a PDF file can be extracted instantly. Alternatively, these methods can be used to extract content from a specific page. The previous code demonstrated how to use both methods to read text and images from a range of pages.

Additionally, IronPDF offers features like rendering charts, adding barcodes, enhancing security with passwords, watermarking, and handling PDF forms programmatically.

IronPDF is available for free during development, with payment required for commercial use. A free trial of IronPDF is available for production use without payment.

Purchase the full suite of Iron Software's document libraries for the cost of two IronPDF Lite Licenses.

Download IronPDF now to start extracting data from PDFs today!