How do I extract text from a PDF in Java?

You can use IronPDF for Java to extract text from a PDF by loading the document with the PdfDocument class and utilizing the extractAllText method to retrieve the text.

Can I extract data from a URL and convert it to PDF in Java?

Yes, IronPDF for Java allows you to convert a URL to a PDF at runtime and extract data from it using the PdfDocument class.

What are the steps to set up IronPDF in IntelliJ IDEA?

To set up IronPDF in IntelliJ IDEA, create a new Maven project, add the IronPDF library to your pom.xml file, and install the Maven dependencies by clicking the floating icon that appears.

What are the prerequisites for using IronPDF in Java?

The prerequisites include having Java installed, a Java IDE like Eclipse or IntelliJ, the IronPDF library, and Maven installed and integrated with your IDE.

How can I extract table data from a PDF using Java?

To extract table data from a PDF using IronPDF for Java, load the PDF document with the PdfDocument class and use the extractAllText method to retrieve the table data.

Is a commercial license required for using IronPDF for Java?

Yes, IronPDF for Java requires a commercial license, but a free trial is available for evaluation purposes.

Where can I find tutorials for using IronPDF in Java?

Tutorials and examples for using IronPDF for Java can be found on the IronPDF website, particularly within the examples and tutorials sections.

What functionalities does IronPDF provide for Java developers?

IronPDF for Java provides functionalities to create, edit, merge, split, and manipulate PDF files, as well as features for securing PDFs with password protection and adding digital signatures.

How can I troubleshoot issues with extracting data from PDFs using Java?

Ensure that all prerequisites are met, such as having the latest Java version, a compatible IDE, and the IronPDF library. Check for correct Maven integration and library dependencies in your pom.xml file.

The Java PDF Library

Explore IronPDF for Java Start Free Trial

HTML to PDF

Online Demo See All Code Examples

import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.*;  
import java.io.IOException;  
import java.nio.file.Paths;  
  
// Apply your license key
License.setLicenseKey("YOUR-LICENSE-KEY");

// Set a log path
Settings.setLogPath(Paths.get("C:/tmp/IronPdfEngine.log"));

// Render the HTML as a PDF. Stored in myPdf as type PdfDocument;
PdfDocument myPdf = PdfDocument.renderHtmlAsPdf("<h1> ~Hello World~ </h1> Made with IronPDF!");

// Save the PdfDocument to a file
myPdf.saveAs(Paths.get("html_saved.pdf"));


import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.*;  
import java.io.IOException;  
import java.nio.file.Paths;  
  
// Apply your license key
License.setLicenseKey("YOUR-LICENSE-KEY");

// Set a log path
Settings.setLogPath(Paths.get("C:/tmp/IronPdfEngine.log"));

// Render the HTML as a PDF. Stored in myPdf as type PdfDocument;
PdfDocument myPdf = PdfDocument.renderHtmlAsPdf("<h1> ~Hello World~ </h1> Made with IronPDF!");

// Save the PdfDocument to a file
myPdf.saveAs(Paths.get("html_saved.pdf"));

USING IRONPDF FOR JAVA

How to Extract Data From PDF in Java

Curtis Chau

Updated: April 21, 2026

This tutorial will show you how to use IronPDF for Java to extract data from a PDF file. Setting up the environment, importing the library, reading the input file, and extracting the needed data are all explained with code samples.

2. IronPDF Java PDF Library

IronPDF is a software library that provides developers with the ability to generate, edit, and extract data from PDF files using IronPDF for Java within their Java applications. It allows you to create PDFs from HTML documents, images, and more, as well as merge multiple PDFs, split PDF files, and manipulate existing PDFs. IronPDF also provides the ability to secure PDFs with password protection features and add digital signatures to PDFs, among other features.

IronPDF for Java is developed and maintained by Iron Software. One of its top-rated features is to extract text and data from PDF files as well as from HTML and URLs.

3. Prerequisites

To use IronPDF to extract data from PDF files, you must meet the following prerequisites:

Java installation: Make sure Java is installed on your system and its path is set in the environment variables. If you haven't installed Java yet, refer to this download page on the Java website for instructions.
Java IDE: Have a Java IDE like Eclipse or IntelliJ installed. You can download Eclipse from this Eclipse download page and IntelliJ from this IntelliJ download page.
IronPDF library: Download and add the IronPDF library as a dependency in your project. Visit the IronPDF setup instructions page for setup instructions.
Maven installation: Maven should be installed and integrated with your IDE before starting the PDF conversion process. Refer to this Maven installation tutorial on JetBrains on installing and integrating Maven.

4. IronPDF for Java Installation

Installing IronPDF for Java is easy and uncomplicated, provided all the requirements are met. This guide will use JetBrains' IntelliJ IDEA to demonstrate the installation and run sample code.

Here's what to do:

Open IntelliJ IDEA: Launch JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA on your system.
Create a Maven Project: In IntelliJ IDEA, create a new Maven project. This will provide a suitable environment for the installation of IronPDF for Java.

How to Extract Data From PDF in Java, Figure 1: New Maven Project in IntelliJ New Maven Project in IntelliJ

A new window will appear. Enter the name of the project and click on Finish.

How to Extract Data From PDF in Java, Figure 2: Name the Maven Project and click Finish Name the Maven Project and click Finish

A new project with a pom.xml will open once you click Finish. This will be used to add IronPDF Java Maven dependencies.

How to Extract Data From PDF in Java, Figure 3: The pom.xml file The pom.xml file

Add the following dependencies in the pom.xml file or you can download the JAR file from the IronPDF library page on Sonatype Central.

<dependency>
    <groupId>com.ironsoftware</groupId>
    <artifactId>ironpdf</artifactId>
    <version>1.0.0</version> <!-- replace with the latest version -->
</dependency>

<dependency>
    <groupId>com.ironsoftware</groupId>
    <artifactId>ironpdf</artifactId>
    <version>1.0.0</version> <!-- replace with the latest version -->
</dependency>

XML

Once you placed the dependencies in the pom.xml file, a small icon will appear in the right top corner of the file.

How to Extract Data From PDF in Java, Figure 4: Click the floating icon to install the Maven dependencies automatically Click the floating icon to install the Maven dependencies automatically

Install IronPDF for Java's Maven dependencies by clicking this button. Depending on the speed of your internet connection, this should just take a few minutes.

5. Extract Data

IronPDF is a Java library for creating, editing, and extracting data from PDF documents. It provides a simple API to extract text from PDF files, URLs, and tables.

5.1. Extract Data from PDF documents

Using IronPDF for Java, you can easily extract text data from PDF documents. Below is the example code for extracting data from a PDF file.

How to Extract Data From PDF in Java, Figure 5: PDF Input PDF Input

// Import the necessary IronPDF package for working with PDF documents
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.PdfDocument;

import java.io.IOException;
import java.nio.file.Paths;

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) throws IOException {
        // Load the PDF document from the specified file
        PdfDocument pdf = PdfDocument.fromFile(Paths.get("business plan.pdf"));
        
        // Extract all text from the PDF document
        String text = pdf.extractAllText();
        
        // Print the extracted text to the console
        System.out.println("Text extracted from the PDF: " + text);
    }
}

// Import the necessary IronPDF package for working with PDF documents
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.PdfDocument;

import java.io.IOException;
import java.nio.file.Paths;

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) throws IOException {
        // Load the PDF document from the specified file
        PdfDocument pdf = PdfDocument.fromFile(Paths.get("business plan.pdf"));
        
        // Extract all text from the PDF document
        String text = pdf.extractAllText();
        
        // Print the extracted text to the console
        System.out.println("Text extracted from the PDF: " + text);
    }
}

Java

The source code produces the output given below:

> Text extracted from the PDF:
> 
> CRAFT-ARENA
> 
> Muhammad Waleed Butt
> 
> Hassan Khan
> 
> ABOUT US
> 
> Craft-Arena is a partnership based business that will help local crafters of Pakistan to sell their handicrafts at good prices and helps them earn a good living.

> Text extracted from the PDF:
> 
> CRAFT-ARENA
> 
> Muhammad Waleed Butt
> 
> Hassan Khan
> 
> ABOUT US
> 
> Craft-Arena is a partnership based business that will help local crafters of Pakistan to sell their handicrafts at good prices and helps them earn a good living.

Text

5.2. Extract Data from URLs

IronPDF for Java converts the URL to PDF in runtime and extracts text from it. This example will show the source code to extract text from URLs.

// Import the necessary IronPDF package for working with PDF documents
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.PdfDocument;

import java.io.IOException;

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) throws IOException {
        // Convert a URL to a PDF and load it into a PdfDocument
        PdfDocument pdf = PdfDocument.renderUrlAsPdf("https://ironpdf.com/java/");
        
        // Extract all text from the PDF document
        String text = pdf.extractAllText();
        
        // Print the extracted text to the console
        System.out.println("Text extracted from the URLs: " + text);
    }
}

// Import the necessary IronPDF package for working with PDF documents
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.PdfDocument;

import java.io.IOException;

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) throws IOException {
        // Convert a URL to a PDF and load it into a PdfDocument
        PdfDocument pdf = PdfDocument.renderUrlAsPdf("https://ironpdf.com/java/");
        
        // Extract all text from the PDF document
        String text = pdf.extractAllText();
        
        // Print the extracted text to the console
        System.out.println("Text extracted from the URLs: " + text);
    }
}

Java

How to Extract Data From PDF in Java, Figure 6: Extracted Web Page Data Extracted Web Page Data

5.3. Extract Data from Table data

To extract table data from a PDF using IronPDF for Java is very simple; all you need is a PDF containing a table, and to run the below code.

How to Extract Data From PDF in Java, Figure 7: Sample PDF Table Input Sample PDF Table Input

// Import the necessary IronPDF package for working with PDF documents
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.PdfDocument;

import java.io.IOException;
import java.nio.file.Paths;

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) throws IOException {
        // Load the PDF document from the specified file
        PdfDocument pdf = PdfDocument.fromFile(Paths.get("table.pdf"));
        
        // Extract all text from the PDF document, including table data
        String text = pdf.extractAllText();
        
        // Print the extracted table data to the console
        System.out.print("Text extracted from the Marked tables: " + text);
    }
}

// Import the necessary IronPDF package for working with PDF documents
import com.ironsoftware.ironpdf.PdfDocument;

import java.io.IOException;
import java.nio.file.Paths;

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) throws IOException {
        // Load the PDF document from the specified file
        PdfDocument pdf = PdfDocument.fromFile(Paths.get("table.pdf"));
        
        // Extract all text from the PDF document, including table data
        String text = pdf.extractAllText();
        
        // Print the extracted table data to the console
        System.out.print("Text extracted from the Marked tables: " + text);
    }
}

Java

> Test Case Description Expected Result Actual Result Status
> 
> 1 Test login functionality User should be able to log in with valid credentials
> 
> User log in successfully Pass
> 
> 2 Test search functionality Search results should be relevant and accurate
> 
> Search is accurate and provide relevant products Pass
> 
> 3 Test checkout process User should be able to complete a purchase successfully
> 
> User can purchase successfully Pass

> Test Case Description Expected Result Actual Result Status
> 
> 1 Test login functionality User should be able to log in with valid credentials
> 
> User log in successfully Pass
> 
> 2 Test search functionality Search results should be relevant and accurate
> 
> Search is accurate and provide relevant products Pass
> 
> 3 Test checkout process User should be able to complete a purchase successfully
> 
> User can purchase successfully Pass

Text

6. Conclusion

In conclusion, this tutorial has demonstrated how to extract data, specifically tabular data, from a PDF file using IronPDF for Java.

For more information, please refer to the extract text from PDF example on the IronPDF website.

IronPDF is a library with a commercial license details, starting at $999. However, you can evaluate it in production with a free trial using IronPDF trial license.

Curtis Chau

Chat with engineering team now

Technical Writer

Curtis Chau holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science (Carleton University) and specializes in front-end development with expertise in Node.js, TypeScript, JavaScript, and React. Passionate about crafting intuitive and aesthetically pleasing user interfaces, Curtis enjoys working with modern frameworks and creating well-structured, visually appealing manuals.

...