How do you upload text from a PDF using FormFunction?

Question

I can import text from a PDF using

text = Import[filename, "Plaintext"];

I'd like to do the same thing using FormFunction, but am unsure how. I've tried the following:

FormFunction[
 "file" -> "PDF",
 #file &,
 "Text"
 ]

which seems to import an image of the PDF. I've also tried

FormFunction["file" -> "Text", 
 #file &,
 "Text"
 ]

which doesn't allow PDFs to be entered. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

$\begingroup$ Does my answer fit your needs?> $\endgroup$
– Kuba
Commented Jan 2, 2019 at 13:24 — Kuba, Commented Jan 2, 2019 at 13:24
$\begingroup$ Yes, apologies for the delay. $\endgroup$
– aasantos
Commented Jan 7, 2019 at 13:23 — aasantos, Commented Jan 7, 2019 at 13:23

Kuba · Accepted Answer · 2018-12-22 08:49:46Z

1

If you want to import a specific element of a pdf you can use "Text" type and proceed with ImportString and elements spec:

FormFunction[
  "file" -> "Text"
, ImportString[#file, {"PDF", "Plaintext"}] &
]

It does not mean you will always get what you expect. It depends what the pdf really contains. Text inside can be e.g. rasterized.

answered Dec 22, 2018 at 8:49

Kuba

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