Delphi ActiveX Requires Chilkat v11.7.0+

Extract Text from a Password-Protected PDF

See more PDF Text Extraction Examples

Demonstrates extracting text from a PDF that requires a password to open. The PDF loads without the password (its structure can be read), but the "text" operation fails because the content cannot be decrypted; "assess" reports that a password is required. With the UserPassword property set before loading, extraction works normally. Delphi ActiveX

var
success: Integer;
pdf: TChilkatPdf;
json: TChilkatJsonObject;
jsonOut: TChilkatJsonObject;

begin
success := 0;

//  This example requires the Chilkat API to have been previously unlocked.
//  See Global Unlock Sample for sample code.

//  The PDF used in this example (user password: secret) is available at encrypted_user_password.pdf

pdf := TChilkatPdf.Create(Self);
json := TChilkatJsonObject.Create(Self);
jsonOut := TChilkatJsonObject.Create(Self);

//  The PDF loads without its password: the file's structure is readable, so properties such as
//  NumPages and the security settings are available...
success := pdf.LoadFile('qa_data/pdf/encrypted_user_password.pdf');
if (success = 0) then
  begin
    Memo1.Lines.Add(pdf.LastErrorText);
    Exit;
  end;

//  ...but the content cannot be decrypted, so extracting text fails.
success := pdf.ExtractText('text',json.ControlInterface,jsonOut.ControlInterface);
if (success = 0) then
  begin
    Memo1.Lines.Add('Cannot extract: ' + pdf.LastErrorText);
  end;

//  "assess" still works: it reports that a password is required and nothing else.
success := pdf.ExtractText('assess',json.ControlInterface,jsonOut.ControlInterface);
if (success = 0) then
  begin
    Memo1.Lines.Add(pdf.LastErrorText);
    Exit;
  end;
Memo1.Lines.Add('passwordRequired: ' + IntToStr(Ord(jsonOut.BoolOf('quality.passwordRequired'))));
Memo1.Lines.Add('rating: ' + jsonOut.StringOf('quality.rating'));

//  Set the password and load again.
pdf.UserPassword := 'secret';
success := pdf.LoadFile('qa_data/pdf/encrypted_user_password.pdf');
if (success = 0) then
  begin
    Memo1.Lines.Add(pdf.LastErrorText);
    Exit;
  end;

success := pdf.ExtractText('text',json.ControlInterface,jsonOut.ControlInterface);
if (success = 0) then
  begin
    Memo1.Lines.Add(pdf.LastErrorText);
    Exit;
  end;
Memo1.Lines.Add(jsonOut.StringOf('text'));

//  Sample output:

//  Cannot extract: ChilkatLog:
//    ExtractText:
//      ...
//        The PDF is encrypted and could not be opened (wrong or missing password); its text cannot be read.
//      ...
//  passwordRequired: true
//  rating: none
//  Board Minutes (Confidential)
//  
//  The board met on 3 November 2026. Present: the chair, the treasurer and four members. The treasurer reported that spending for the season came in under budget.
//  
//  The meeting closed at 8.45 p.m.