How do I extract data from a scanned PDF using the PDF Extract API?

The PDF Extract API can work with both native (digital) and scanned PDFs. It uses Sensei, which is Adobe's AI technology, to understand the content. You just send your scanned PDF to the API, and it will process it and return structured data, even if the original was a scan.

What is the difference between PDF Extract API and Document Generation API?

Feature Purpose Direction. PDF Extract API Turns PDFs into structured data (JSON, Markdown) PDF -> Data Document Generation API Creates PDFs or Word documents from data and templates Data -> PDF/Word

Why should I use the PDF Extract API instead of just copying and pasting text from a PDF?

Using the PDF Extract API is much better for large amounts of data. Copying and pasting is slow and can lose the structure of tables or reading order. The API automatically gives you structured data like JSON, which is easy for other computer programs to use and analyze.

If my PDF has tables, how does the PDF Extract API handle them?

The PDF Extract API is very good at identifying tables within your PDF. When you extract data, it can convert these tables into formats like CSV or XLSX. This means you get your table data in a spreadsheet format, which is easy to open and work with in programs like Microsoft Excel.

What kind of output can I expect from the PDF Extract API?

Structured JSON or Markdown for text and general content. CSV or XLSX files for tables. PNG images for any pictures found in the PDF.

Extract student assessment data from PDF forms in Adobe Acrobat — How-to & AI prompts

AI prompts

3 ways to ask · copy any one

AExecute — “help me do it”Extract student assessment data from this PDF form: [upload or link]…+

Extract student assessment data from this PDF form: [upload or link to PDF].

when the reply comes backWould you like to organize the data by student or by subject?

BImprove — “do it better”Review the extracted student data and correct any mistakes or missing info.…+

Review the extracted student assessment data and correct any mistakes or missing information.

when the reply comes backNeed help turning the extracted data into a chart or graph?

CDecide — “help me choose”Suggest the best file format for saving extracted student data (Excel, CSV, etc.).…+

Suggest the best file format for saving extracted student assessment data (Excel, CSV, or another option) and explain why.

when the reply comes backDo you want to save the extracted data for future use?

How to do it

the tool · the steps · what to avoid

1
Open the PDF form containing student assessment responses in Adobe Acrobat.
2
Go to the Tools pane and select Prepare Form.
3
Verify that all form fields are correctly recognized and named for each student response.
Best practiceConsistent field naming across forms ensures easier aggregation of data later.
4
Click the More menu (three dots) in the right pane and choose Export Data.
5
Select Export Data from Multiple Forms if you have multiple student PDFs to aggregate.
NoteYou can select a folder containing all student assessment PDFs for batch processing.
6
Choose the output format as CSV or XML for easier grading or analytics.
7
Save the exported file to your desired location.
8
Open the exported CSV or XML file in your preferred spreadsheet or analytics tool to review and aggregate student responses.
Best practiceIf you encounter mismatched columns, check for inconsistent field names in the original forms.

In the appWith the API

You can quickly export all student responses from multiple PDF forms into a single spreadsheet for easy grading.

This runs in the Acrobat app - there is no separate API for this task.

Glossary

words on this page

PDF formA PDF file that asks you to fill in answers or information.ExampleYou download a PDF form from the tax website and type your financial details into the fields.

Assessment dataInformation about how well a student did on a test or assignment.ExampleThe teacher reviewed the assessment data to see how students performed on the math quiz.

ExtractTo pull out certain pages or parts from a bigger file.ExampleYou can extract a single chapter from a large report to share only that section.

The real tasks

the one, listed here

Convert emailed bills into a standard, editable copy so data can be entered into our ledger.

FAQ

about this task

To extract student assessment data, open the PDF form in Adobe Acrobat, use the selection or export tool to highlight the data fields, and save or copy the information into a spreadsheet or document for easy review.

Viewing data means you are only looking at the information in the PDF, but extracting data means you are pulling it out so you can use it elsewhere, like in a spreadsheet or report.

Extracting data makes it easier to compare, analyze, or share student results, instead of having to read through each PDF separately.

It's easier to extract data from digital forms, but if your PDF is scanned, you can use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) in Adobe Acrobat to turn the images into text first.

Common formats are Excel (.xlsx) or CSV (.csv), because they make sorting and analyzing the data simple, but you can choose another format if your school requires it.

Extract student assessment data from PDF forms

When to use it

AI prompts

How to do it

Glossary

The real tasks

Who does this

FAQ

Sources