You do not need an app to convert pdf files to text. Jonathan Simione did an excellent podcast on how to convert pdf files to text using Automator on Mac OS 10. I followed his instructions and now routinely convert pdf files to text files that I can read using Textedit. Essentially, I now only have to right click )Control+Option+shift+M) on the file name and under the Services sub-menu, I have the option to convert the pdf file to a text file, which is automatically placed in the folder I selected.
I would suggest searching the Applevis site for the podcast. It is easy to follow, and works great.
Hope this helps.
Hello,
I know on the Windows side you can extract the text using the Adobe Acrobat reader app. The app seems fairly accessible on the Mac so you might be able to do this with the app.
Does this method work with image-based PDF files? I find that most PDF files appear blank when reading them in Preview. Speaking of Preview, Apple could be doing a lot better job with PDF support. This has gone on for years and years. Oh well, I guess the Mac OS is only here until iOS can replace it. It's a shame. The Mac is a great platform.
I'm not sure if it works with PDF pictures. I'm just looking for a app that converts it to text. I know their are some out their just not how well they work.
There is also a service called PAVE that will supposedly convert any pdf file into text, but I haven't gotten it to work as of yet. I actually read about it on a news-related website, and thought I'd try it out. The service is located at http://www.pave-pdf.org , and appears to be free. Native English speakers/readers will want to click on the link that says "En," or something similar. The only other language option I found is German. I'm wondering if anyone has tried this and gotten it to work? I can't seem to find where exactly to upload a file though. The site FAQ's state that the service is not accessible with screen readers, which seems rather odd given the site itself works great with VoiceOver and Chromevox Classic. But accessible pdf options for the Mac platform seem to be growing even if at a slow pace, which is good. I'm also going to try out the Automator thing again. For some reason I can't seem to get that one to work correctly either. Lol maybe my Mac is just jinxed! All kidding aside, this is a great computer and I hope it will stay that way.
Comments
PDF to Text Converter
You do not need an app to convert pdf files to text. Jonathan Simione did an excellent podcast on how to convert pdf files to text using Automator on Mac OS 10. I followed his instructions and now routinely convert pdf files to text files that I can read using Textedit. Essentially, I now only have to right click )Control+Option+shift+M) on the file name and under the Services sub-menu, I have the option to convert the pdf file to a text file, which is automatically placed in the folder I selected.
I would suggest searching the Applevis site for the podcast. It is easy to follow, and works great.
Hope this helps.
Other ways
Is their another way of doing that besides automator?
Possibly with Adobe Acrobat Reader
Hello,
I know on the Windows side you can extract the text using the Adobe Acrobat reader app. The app seems fairly accessible on the Mac so you might be able to do this with the app.
Regards,
Greg Wocher
free
Hi,
Is the app free? also are their any other apps or are those two my only options?
Yes its free.
Hello,Yes adobe acrobat is free. You can find it in the app store on the mac app store.Regards,Greg Wocher
other app options
Hi
Do you know of any other apps that can convert pdf to text besides adobe?b
Other options to convert PDF to text
Hi
What other options are their besides automator and adobi for converting PDF to text?
Image-based PDF Files
Does this method work with image-based PDF files? I find that most PDF files appear blank when reading them in Preview. Speaking of Preview, Apple could be doing a lot better job with PDF support. This has gone on for years and years. Oh well, I guess the Mac OS is only here until iOS can replace it. It's a shame. The Mac is a great platform.
Hi
I'm not sure if it works with PDF pictures. I'm just looking for a app that converts it to text. I know their are some out their just not how well they work.
PAV Anyone?
There is also a service called PAVE that will supposedly convert any pdf file into text, but I haven't gotten it to work as of yet. I actually read about it on a news-related website, and thought I'd try it out. The service is located at http://www.pave-pdf.org , and appears to be free. Native English speakers/readers will want to click on the link that says "En," or something similar. The only other language option I found is German. I'm wondering if anyone has tried this and gotten it to work? I can't seem to find where exactly to upload a file though. The site FAQ's state that the service is not accessible with screen readers, which seems rather odd given the site itself works great with VoiceOver and Chromevox Classic. But accessible pdf options for the Mac platform seem to be growing even if at a slow pace, which is good. I'm also going to try out the Automator thing again. For some reason I can't seem to get that one to work correctly either. Lol maybe my Mac is just jinxed! All kidding aside, this is a great computer and I hope it will stay that way.
apps
What about apps for converting PDF's? are their any that aren't expensive