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PDF BOM Extractor

Extract BOM and specification tables from vector PDFs into clean CSVs you can download locally.

Open utility

pdf-bom-extractor utility screenshot

What it does​

Drop CAD-generated PDFs, auto-detect header rows and columns, trim revision or footer noise, and export per-file CSVs or a merged master report. Everything runs client-side so drawings and extracted data stay on your device.

When to use it (and when not to)​

Use it when:

  • You want to pull BOM tables out of drawing PDFs without manual retyping.
  • You need a quick CSV export to hand to procurement or QA.
  • You prefer local parsing with no uploads.

Avoid it when:

  • Your PDFs are scanned images that would need OCR to be read.
  • Tables have heavy merged cells or variable column counts that break auto-detection.

Inputs and outputs​

Inputs​

InputDescription
PDF drawingsVector PDFs with BOM or spec tables.
Header row selectionConfirm or adjust which row defines the column headers.
Auto column detection togglesControl how the parser groups columns.
Row filtersSkip revision or footer rows you do not want in the CSV.
Master report optionCombine outputs into one CSV when needed.

Outputs​

OutputFormatNotes
Per-file CSVCSVOne CSV for each PDF you process.
Master CSVCSVOptional combined report across all uploaded files.
Preview tableOn-screenReview and tweak before downloading.

How to use​

  1. Upload one or more drawing PDFs.
  2. Confirm the detected header row and adjust columns if needed.
  3. Trim any footer or revision rows.
  4. Download per-file CSVs or a master report.
  5. Archive the CSVs with your job packet.

Example dataset: Upload two assembly PDFs with BOM tables, keep header row 2, trim revision notes, and export both per-file CSVs and a master_report.csv.

  • Expected output: Produces two individual CSVs plus a combined master file with aligned columns.

Accuracy and verification​

  • Relies on selectable text; scanned PDFs need OCR first.
  • Merged or irregular tables may need manual cleanup after export.
  • Review the preview before downloading to ensure the correct header row was detected.
  • All parsing runs locally; keep your own backups of exported CSVs.

FAQ​

  • Does it OCR images? No. It reads vector text only.
  • Can I process many files? Yes. Upload a batch and export per-file or as a master report.
  • Is any data uploaded? No. Everything stays in the browser.
  • How are merged cells handled? The parser flattens columns; double-check and adjust after export if needed.
  • Can I change the delimiter? Exports as CSV; adjust delimiters later in your spreadsheet tool.

Changelog​

  • Initial documentation.

Feedback / bug report​

  • Open a GitHub issue
  • Email or DM with the slug pdf-bom-extractor so we can reproduce the issue
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