Convert PDF tables to XML

[Rasheed5FA5]

I am using Acrobat XI Pro to convert PDF file to XML which consist many tables but some tables not convert in XML. All the tables showing with TD/TR tags but some tables converted in paragraphs <P> tag. Vertical tables are also disturbed in the XML file Please help me regarding this problem and provide best solution.

[Test Screen Name]

Most PDF files don't contain tables. It's all guesswork, sometimes it guesses as you want, sometimes not. 

[Rasheed5FA5]

Thank you for your reply but what is the solution of this problem?

[Test Screen Name]

Lower expectations.

[JR Boulay]

Is this PDF tagged or not?

[Rasheed5FA5]

Yes, the PDF tagged.

[Test Screen Name]

If it's tagged, Acrobat might manage better. Do the tags define all the table definitions?

[Rasheed5FA5]

Yes.

[Test Screen Name]

Did you try in up to date Acrobat? 

Please show screen shot of a table in the tags panel and the same date extracted to XML.

(Protect private information).

[Rasheed5FA5]

[Test Screen Name]

Thank you. Now please show the same information (perhaps starting at Thailand 9,487,661) in the Tags panel, showing that it is tagged as a table.

[Rasheed5FA5]

[Test Screen Name]

Thank you. I am not an expert on tags, but I notice that there are a very large number of table tags, perhaps the file is badly tagged with a series of one line tables. Anyway I defer to Thom Parker who knows a lot more about this than I do.

[Thom Parker]

Table recognition and conversion is extremely difficult. There are several applications that attempt this, and one very well used open source tool, https://tabula.technology/.

In general, they all work decently on simple tables and then fall to pieces when things start getting complicated. 

So you are asking a lot of Acrobat. Even if the table tags are really well formed, the Acrobat conversion might fall apart. Consider using another tool for this. Search google for 'PDF Table Extraction'