Perl Requires Chilkat v11.7.0+

Extract One Section of a PDF by its Heading

See more PDF Text Extraction Examples

Demonstrates "labelValue": "section", which returns everything from a heading up to the next heading of the same or higher level. With the "markdown" operation the section keeps its own sub-headings. Perl

use chilkat();

$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 is available at sectioned_doc.pdf

$pdf = chilkat::CkPdf->new();
$success = $pdf->LoadFile("qa_data/pdf/sectioned_doc.pdf");
if ($success == 0) {
    print $pdf->lastErrorText() . "\r\n";
    exit;
}

$json = chilkat::CkJsonObject->new();
$jsonOut = chilkat::CkJsonObject->new();

#  The document has the sections Introduction, Opening Hours, Terms and Conditions (with the
#  sub-sections Admission, Safety and Liability) and Contact.  Get the Terms and Conditions:
#  everything after that heading up to the next heading of the same level (Contact).  The heading
#  itself is not part of the value; labelMatches[0].label has it.
$json->UpdateString("label","Terms and Conditions");
$json->UpdateString("labelValue","section");

$success = $pdf->ExtractText("markdown",$json,$jsonOut);
if ($success == 0) {
    print $pdf->lastErrorText() . "\r\n";
    exit;
}

print $jsonOut->stringOf("markdown") . "\r\n";

#  The same with the "text" operation gives the section as plain text.
$success = $pdf->ExtractText("text",$json,$jsonOut);
if ($success == 0) {
    print $pdf->lastErrorText() . "\r\n";
    exit;
}

print "---- as text ----" . "\r\n";
print $jsonOut->stringOf("text") . "\r\n";

#  Sample output:

#  ### Admission
#  
#  Admission is free. Groups of more than ten should book in advance so that a volunteer can be assigned to them.
#  
#  ### Safety
#  
#  No more than eight people may be on the stair at one time. Children under twelve must be accompanied by an adult, and the lantern room is closed in high winds.
#  
#  ### Liability
#  
#  Visitors climb the tower at their own risk. The society carries public liability insurance but accepts no responsibility for personal property.
#  ---- as text ----
#  Admission
#  
#  Admission is free. Groups of more than ten should book in advance so that a volunteer can be assigned to them.
#  
#  Safety
#  
#  No more than eight people may be on the stair at one time. Children under twelve must be accompanied by an adult, and the lantern room is closed in high winds.
#  
#  Liability
#  
#  Visitors climb the tower at their own risk. The society carries public liability insurance but accepts no responsibility for personal property.