pdf

Extract text and tables from PDFs using Python libraries.

Updated Jan 30, 2026

Search Tags:#document processing #data extraction #pdf #python #text extraction #cli tools

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/MacPhobos/research-mind --skill pdf-macphobos

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: pdf
Source: https://github.com/MacPhobos/research-mind/tree/main/.claude/skills/skills-pdf
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/MacPhobos/research-mind --skill pdf-macphobos

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

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

What problem does it solve?

This Skill provides a comprehensive guide to manipulating PDF files, including text extraction, merging, splitting, and form filling, saving users significant time on document processing tasks.

Core Features & Use Cases

Text and Table Extraction: Extract text content and structured data from PDFs using libraries like pypdf and pdfplumber.
PDF Creation and Modification: Generate new PDFs or modify existing ones, including merging, splitting, and rotating pages.
Use Case: A researcher needs to extract tables from multiple PDF reports. This Skill provides the exact Python code to achieve this efficiently.

Quick Start

Use the pdf skill to extract all text from the attached file 'document.pdf'.

Frequently Asked Questions about pdf

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

FAQPage Schema

How do I extract text and tables from PDF files using Python?▼

To extract text and tables from PDF files, you can use Python libraries like pypdf for text extraction and pdfplumber for structured table extraction. This approach automates document analysis and retrieves content efficiently.

Can I merge, split, and rotate PDF pages with command-line tools?▼

Yes, you can merge, split, and rotate PDF pages using Python libraries and command-line tools. These scripts allow you to modify existing PDF documents and reorganize pages for content management tasks.

What is the best way to perform OCR on scanned PDF documents?▼

The best way to perform OCR on scanned PDF documents is by using pytesseract with pdf2image. This combination converts scanned document images into searchable and extractable text data.

Does pdfplumber work better than pypdf for table extraction?▼

Yes, pdfplumber works better than pypdf for table extraction because it is specifically designed to extract structured data. Use pypdf for general text extraction and pdfplumber when you need precise table data.

Do I need Python to create new PDF files from scratch?▼

Yes, you need Python to create new PDF files from scratch using the reportlab library. This allows you to programmatically generate PDF documents and output custom content for various research needs.