[Solution] Solution for Extracting Text from PDF Files with Embedded Fonts

When working with PDF files, especially those containing embedded fonts, it can be challenging to extract text using conventional methods. Embedded fonts are often specific to a document, and traditional PDF text extraction tools may fail to capture the content accurately. This document outlines a custom-built solution for extracting text from such PDF files using VeryPDF's PDF2TXT.DLL, enhanced with OCR (Optical Character Recognition) capabilities.

Problem Description:

The standard PDF2TXT.DLL function, specifically pdf2TextBufferW, encounters difficulties when dealing with PDFs that contain only embedded fonts. Since the text in these PDFs is encoded using fonts that may not be available externally or are custom-designed for the document, the extracted text may appear empty or unreadable. This limitation can obstruct automation processes that rely on accurate text extraction from PDF files.

✅ This is the original PDF file. The text contents in the PDF file are using embedded fonts,

✅ As you can see, this PDF file contains only embedded fonts,

✅ When you select all the text content in the PDF file and copy it into a Notepad application, you will get garbled characters,

Proposed Solution:

To address this issue, we propose a custom-built version of the PDF2TXT.DLL that can handle PDF files with embedded fonts by incorporating OCR technology. The key features of this custom solution are as follows:

Initial Text Extraction Process:
- The custom PDF2TXT.DLL will first attempt to extract text using the normal method, just as it does with typical PDF files. This process works for most PDF files that contain selectable text.
Fallback to OCR for Embedded Fonts:
- If the extracted text is incomplete or empty (due to the presence of embedded fonts), the custom DLL will automatically switch to using OCR. This OCR functionality will allow the system to "read" the text as it appears visually on the page, converting it into machine-readable text.
- The OCR process ensures that even if the fonts are embedded and not directly accessible, the textual content is still extracted successfully.
Seamless Integration of OCR:
- The OCR feature will be fully integrated into the PDF2TXT.DLL, enabling smooth transitions between standard extraction methods and OCR-based extraction. This solution will provide support for various types of PDFs, including:
  - Text-based PDFs
  - Scanned PDFs
  - PDFs with embedded fonts

✅ This is the text content generated by the OCR function,

Benefits of the Custom Solution:

Increased Accuracy: By incorporating OCR, the solution can extract text from PDFs with embedded fonts, ensuring a higher accuracy rate even in challenging cases.
Efficiency: The custom-built PDF2TXT.DLL offers a streamlined workflow by eliminating the need for multiple tools or manual intervention, unlike standalone OCR tools.
Flexibility: This version of the DLL supports a wide range of PDF types, making it versatile for different document processing needs.
Simplified Workflow: Integrating the OCR functionality into the PDF2TXT.DLL removes the need for an additional command-line utility, simplifying the implementation for your system.

Conclusion:

This custom solution allows for effective text extraction from PDF files containing embedded fonts by using a two-step process: first attempting to extract text using traditional methods, and if unsuccessful, applying OCR. By integrating OCR directly into the PDF2TXT.DLL, we ensure a robust, all-in-one tool that can handle a variety of PDF text extraction challenges.

If you are interested in this custom solution, please contact us, and we will be happy to provide further details and a quote for the development.

https://support.verypdf.com/open.php