alterlab-pdf

Extract text, tables, and metadata from PDF documents using pypdf and pdfplumber.

58|9|Updated Mar 16, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/AlterLab-IEU/AlterLab-Academic-Skills --skill alterlab-pdf
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: alterlab-pdf
Source: https://github.com/AlterLab-IEU/AlterLab-Academic-Skills/tree/main/skills/document-tools/alterlab-pdf
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/AlterLab-IEU/AlterLab-Academic-Skills --skill alterlab-pdf

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill requires pypdf, pdfplumber, pdf2image, Pillow, and includes scripts (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

PDFs are often static and difficult to edit, analyze, or reuse. This Skill automates PDF processing to extract text and tables, fill forms (fillable and non-fillable), merge or split documents, rotate pages, and apply watermarks, enabling data reuse and streamlined document workflows.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Comprehensive PDF processing: extract text, extract tables, rotate pages, merge/split PDFs, create new PDFs, fill PDF forms, and add watermarks.
  • Data digitization & extraction: convert content from PDFs into machine-readable formats for databases, spreadsheets, or reports.
  • Use Case: researchers can digitize collected documents, automate invoice data extraction, and prepare PDFs for publication or archiving.

Quick Start

Ask me to extract text from document.pdf and generate a CSV of any detected tables.

Frequently Asked Questions about alterlab-pdf

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I extract text and tables from PDF documents for data reuse?

PDF text and table extraction automates document digitization by parsing static files into machine-readable formats. This Skill uses pdfplumber to detect and convert PDF tables into CSV files while extracting raw text for databases or reports.

Can I fill non-fillable PDF forms and apply watermarks programmatically?

Filling non-fillable PDF forms and applying watermarks is supported. The Skill renders static PDFs using pdf2image and Pillow, allowing you to manipulate pages, overlay form data, and add watermarks for archival preparation or publication.

Does pdfplumber work with pypdf for merging, splitting, and rotating PDFs?

Yes, pdfplumber works with pypdf to handle comprehensive PDF manipulation. While pdfplumber extracts text and tables, pypdf manages structural operations like merging, splitting, rotating pages, and creating new PDF documents.

What is the best way to automate invoice data extraction from PDFs?

Automating invoice data extraction involves parsing PDF documents to capture structured tabular data. This Skill applies robust validation and error handling to convert invoice PDFs into machine-readable formats suitable for spreadsheets or databases.

How do I digitize collected documents for academic and administrative workflows?

Digitizing collected documents requires parsing static PDFs into editable data. This Skill automates text extraction, form handling, and metadata retrieval to prepare academic and administrative documents for archival or database integration.

Are there limitations when using pdf2image and Pillow for PDF text extraction?

Using pdf2image and Pillow for PDF text extraction may face limitations with scanned documents requiring OCR. These libraries primarily render and manipulate page images, so robust validation is applied to handle parsing errors during document processing.