API · PDF extraction

PDF data extraction API. Structured output.

Cogneris extracts fields, tables, line items, dates, parties, totals, and evidence from native PDFs and scanned PDFs, then returns validated JSON your systems can use.

Built for native PDFs, scanned PDFs, and packets

A PDF data extraction API has to handle embedded text, OCR-only scans, rotated pages, multi-page packets, and mixed document types. Cogneris classifies each file, applies OCR when needed, extracts against a schema, validates the result, and keeps page evidence attached to the output.

Fields

Names, dates, totals, IDs, addresses, clauses, balances, policy numbers, and custom schema fields.

Tables

Line items, transactions, row values, columns, subtotals, and table-level confidence.

Evidence

Page references, citations, confidence scores, validation status, and review metadata.

When this is stronger than OCR alone

OCR gives you text. PDF data extraction gives you typed fields, nested arrays, normalized values, validation errors, and workflow state. That difference matters when the data feeds underwriting systems, ERPs, CRMs, compliance workflows, or agent tools.

SDK snippet: PDF to JSON

For PDFs with known fields, pass a template or inline schema and request citations so reviewers can trace every value.

const extraction = await client.extractions.create({
  file: './loan-packet.pdf',
  schema: {
    borrower_name: 'string',
    statement_period: 'date_range',
    ending_balance: 'currency'
  },
  includeCitations: true
});

console.log(extraction.data.fields.ending_balance);

PDF data extraction API FAQ

Can a PDF data extraction API process scanned PDFs?
Yes. Cogneris can process native PDFs and scanned PDFs by applying OCR, layout understanding, extraction schemas, validation rules, and source citations.
Can PDF extraction return tables and line items?
Yes. Cogneris can return table rows, line items, transactions, totals, confidence scores, and page-level citations as structured JSON.
Does PDF data extraction support async jobs and webhooks?
Yes. Long PDFs, packets, and batches can run asynchronously with signed webhook callbacks and retry semantics.
Can extracted PDF fields include source citations?
Yes. Fields can include page references, source text, bounding boxes, confidence scores, and validation status for review and audit.

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