TechNote

How to Extract Text and Graphics from PDF Files Using Acrobat Reader 5.0.5

Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0.5 lets you extract text and graphics from Adobe PDF files for use in another application, such as Microsoft Word. You can extract text and graphics as long as security restrictions don't prevent you from opening the files. To extract text from a PDF file, the file must also meet these conditions:

-- The files are formatted to contain text and not just images.

-- The files don't contain security restrictions that prevent you from selecting text.

To Extract All Text from a PDF File

Note:Text formatting may be lost when you paste the text into another file.

In Windows, export the text from the PDF file:

1. Open the PDF file in Acrobat Reader, and choose File > Export Document to Text.

2. Specify a name and location for the text file, and then click Save.

In Mac OS or UNIX, copy the text from the PDF file:

1. Open the PDF file in Acrobat Reader, and choose View > Continuous - Facing or View > Continuous. (Choose Continuous-Facing if you want the copied pages arranged side by side, or choose Continuous if you want the copied pages arranged in a continuous vertical column.)

2. Choose Edit > Select All.

3. Choose Edit > Copy.

ToExtract Text from Specific Pages or Columns

1. Click the text select tool.

2. Select the text you want to copy:

-- To select the text in only one column of a multicolumn layout, click the column select tool and select the text in the column.

-- To select only the text on the page in view, choose View > Single Page, and then choose Edit > Select All.

3. Choose Edit > Copy.

To Extract Graphics

1. Click the graphics select tool.

2. Drag around the graphic you want to copy.

3. Choose Edit > Copy.

Additional Information

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: How to Select and Copy Text in Acrobat Reader 4.x

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