What's the best way to import/read data from pdf files?

Question

We get a large amount of data from our clients in pdf files in varying formats [layout-wise], these files are typically report output, and are typically properly annotated [

Answer 1

We use Xpdf in one of our applications. Its a c++ library which is primarily used for pdf rendering, although it does have a text extractor which could be useful for this project.

Answer 2

pdftohtml -xml

although pdftoipe seems more detailed!!

Answer 3

If you're fine with calling something external, you can use ghostscript - look at the ps2ascii script included with the distribution. I'm not sure what you want from a graphical tool - a big button that you push to chose the input and output files? A preview? You might be able to use GSView, depending on what you want.

Answer 4

Have you looked at Aspose? We're using it for an ASP.net app and I've seen some examples of vbscript using it as well. It's not particularly expensive either.

http://www.aspose.com/