Handling Scanned and Image PDFs
Scanned documents are where AI truly shines. Tasks that once required expensive OCR software can now be done with the right prompts. Let's master the techniques for image-based PDFs.
Understanding Vision AI Capabilities
Modern AI models like GPT-4V (GPT-4 with Vision), GPT-4o, and Claude 3 can "see" and read images directly. This means they can process:
- Scanned paper documents
- Photos of documents
- Screenshots
- Image-only PDFs
Key requirement: You need a vision-capable model. Check that your AI tool supports image/PDF uploads.
Basic Scanned Document Extraction
For clear scans, start with a straightforward approach:
Handling Low-Quality Scans
Poor quality scans need special attention:
Extracting Tables from Scanned Documents
Tables in scanned documents are challenging but manageable:
Processing Photos of Documents
Phone photos of documents have additional challenges like skew and lighting:
Receipts and Invoices
Common real-world use case - extracting receipt data:
Forms and Applications
Extracting data from filled-out forms:
Multi-Page Scanned Documents
For longer scanned documents:
Quick Reference: Quality vs. Accuracy
| Scan Quality | Expected Accuracy | Best Approach |
|---|---|---|
| High (300+ DPI, clear) | 95%+ | Standard extraction |
| Medium (some blur/noise) | 85-95% | Use uncertainty markers |
| Low (faded, damaged) | 70-85% | Context-based interpretation |
| Very low | Below 70% | Manual verification required |
Improving Difficult Extractions
When the first attempt isn't good enough:
Exercise: Scanned Document Challenge
Practice with a realistic scanned document scenario:
Key Takeaway
Scanned and image PDFs require vision-capable AI models, but the extraction process is similar to digital PDFs. The key difference is acknowledging potential quality issues: always ask the AI to flag uncertain text, validate numbers, and use context for interpretation. A good scanned document prompt includes explicit instructions for handling unclear content.
Congratulations! You now have the skills to extract data from any type of PDF. Remember: clear prompts, specific formatting instructions, and validation checks are your tools for accurate extraction every time.