Data extraction from different types of forms is a common task in the business world. Manual data extraction is time-consuming, and it increases costs and errors. Since organizations these days deal with large datasets, they need solutions that will make this process efficient. A form recognition SDK is one such solution. These SDKs simplify data extraction from different forms by automating the process. They utilize AI and ML algorithms to ensure quick and accurate data extraction.
In this article, we will discuss how form recognition SDKs simplify data extraction. We’ll also show you how you can utilize Filestack to optimize your data capture and extraction workflows.
Key takeaways
- Form recognition SDKs provide prebuilt software libraries and pre-trained models to extract data from various types of forms.
- Form recognition SDKs use OCR, AI, and ML to automatically extract data with high accuracy.
- The benefits of form recognition include reduced costs, time-saving, increased accuracy, and improved efficiency.
- When choosing a form recognition SDK, look for features like data accuracy, ease of integration, supported file formats and languages, and security features.
- Filestack offers a reliable OCR engine that can accurately detect data from various types of forms.
Understanding forms recognition SDKs
A forms recognition SDK is a software development kit that provides prebuilt software libraries and tools for integrating form recognition capabilities into your apps. These SDKs use OCR and pre-trained ML models to extract data accurately from different forms, such as invoices, purchase orders, ID cards, receipts, and application forms. Thus, these SDKs eliminate the need for extensive training. In other words, developers don’t have to create form recognition functionality for their apps from scratch.
Reliable SDKs can accurately recognize document layouts, such as headers, sections, or tables. Thus, they make it easier to extract specific data fields without additional configuration. Moreover, advanced form recognition SDKs support various image and document formats.
Various industries can utilize form recognition SDKs to simplify the data extraction process. For example, the healthcare sector can use these SDKs to digitize patient records, prescriptions, and medical forms. Similarly, the education sector can digitize printed books and admission forms.
How forms recognition SDKs work
Form recognition SDKs rely on OCR (Optical Character Recognition), machine learning, and AI to automatically extract data from forms with high accuracy. Here’s how these SDKs work:
- The user first uploads a scanned form or digital document.
- The SDK applies preprocesses techniques, such as deskewing and binarization, to the uploaded document. This helps improve data capture accuracy.
- Next, the SDK detects the structure and layout of the form. This includes text fields, checkboxes, tables, and key-value pairs. Advanced SDKs support various types of forms. These include invoices, receipts, purchase orders, medical claim forms, prescriptions, job applications, and more.
- Once relevant data fields and zones are recognized, the SDK extracts structured data using OCR and ML algorithms.
- The SDK provides the extracted data in a structured format. Reliable SDKs support various data formats, such as JSON, XML, and CSV. This allows you to integrate the extracted data into databases, workflows, or reporting tools.
Benefits of using forms recognition SDKs to simplify data extraction
Forms recognition SDKs offer various benefits, such as increased data extraction accuracy, improved efficiency, and time and cost savings.
Increased data capture accuracy
Form recognition SDKs automate the data extraction process and eliminate human errors. They use advanced ML algorithms to extract data with high accuracy. These SDKs consistently provide accurate data, even with large volumes of documents or complex layouts.
Time and cost savings
By automating the data extraction process, form recognition SDKs reduce costs and save time. Businesses don’t have to hire large data entry teams to extract data, which reduces labor costs.
Moreover, automation and real-time data extraction save time. Form recognition SDKs also reduce errors, saving time and costs associated with rework.
Improved workflow efficiency
Another key benefit of form recognition SDKs is improved efficiency. These SDKs automate repetitive data extraction tasks and enable quick data extraction.
Scalability
Reliable form recognition SDKs are highly scalable. They are designed for both small-scale operations and enterprise-level requirements. Many data extraction tools and SDKs utilize cloud infrastructure, which allows them to efficiently handle large volumes of documents without affecting performance and data accuracy.
Features to look for in a forms recognition SDK
When choosing a forms recognition SDK, it’s crucial to ensure that the SDK offers the features you need. Here are the key features to look for:
User-friendly integration
Forms recognition SDKs make the data extraction process quicker and save time. However, if the SDK is difficult to integrate into your workflow, it will waste a lot of time. Thus, it’s crucial to choose an SDK that offers seamless integration with your workflows and existing systems.
Good SDKs support various popular programming languages. Moreover, they provide extensive documentation, comprehensive guides, and code examples. This makes the integration process easier and quicker.
Accuracy and error handling capabilities
When dealing with critical business documents, data accuracy is crucial. Thus, assessing the SDK’s capability to extract data accurately is essential. Check whether the SDK offers high accuracy rates for both printed and handwritten text. Also, assess how the SDK handles issues like blurry scans or low-quality documents.
Support for multiple file formats and languages
A good forms recognition SDK supports various image and document formats. These include PDF, TIFF, PNG, JPEG, and BMP. If you deal with documents containing multiple languages, check if the SDK supports those languages.
Security and compliance features
Business documents contain sensitive data. Protecting this data is crucial to prevent data breaches and ensure compliance. Thus, it’s crucial to choose a secure forms recognition SDK that implements advanced security features, such as:
- HTTPS
- TLS
- End-to-end encryption
- Access control mechanisms
- Authentication and authorization mechanisms
Getting started: choosing the right SDK for your needs
When choosing a forms recognition SDK, assess whether the SDK provides the features you need, such as scalability, file format support, and support for multiple data sources, languages, and document types. Also, check the pricing model of the SDK and compare the costs with long-term cost savings from automation and reduced manual effort.
Accurate data capture with Filestack
Filestack is a leading cloud-based file management platform. It provides various tools and API for file uploads, transformation, and online file delivery. Filestack also offers various other valuable services, such as image tagging, object recognition, and OCR, through its processing API.
Filestack OCR can be used for accurate data extraction from different forms, such as invoices, receipts, tax documents, business cards, and more. Filestack’s OCR uses advanced machine learning algorithms and neural networks. Thus, it extracts data from scanned documents and images with high accuracy.
It also utilizes advanced document detection and pre-processing solutions, which further enhance OCR data accuracy. Filestack OCR can efficiently detect complex, wrinkled, rotated, and folded documents.
Here is Filestack’s complete OCR process:
Implementing forms recognition with Filestack OCR: code example
Here is a simple code example for extracting or retrieving data automatically from different documents using Filestack OCR. The code allows us to upload an image or scanned document through the Filestack File Picker. It then extracts text from the uploaded image through Filestack OCR for automated data capture.
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
<title>OCR Data Extraction</title>
<style>
/* Add your CSS styling here */
</style>
</head>
<body>
<!-- Filestack file uploader will be triggered when this button is clicked -->
<button id="upload-btn">Upload Image</button>
<div id="ocr-output" style="display:none;">
<div id="ocr-text"></div>
</div>
<script src="https://static.filestackapi.com/filestack-js/3.x.x/filestack.min.js"></script>
<script>
const FILESTACK_API_KEY = 'YOUR_API_KEY'; //Replace with your Filestack API key
const policy = 'YOUR_POLICY'; //Replace with your Policy generated in Filestack dashboard
const signature = 'YOUR_SIGNATURE'; //Replace with your Signature generated in Filestack dashboard
document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() {
document.getElementById('upload-btn').addEventListener('click', function() {
// Open Filestack file uploader
filestackFileUpload();
});
// Function to open Filestack file uploader
function filestackFileUpload() {
const client = filestack.init(FILESTACK_API_KEY);
const options = {
onUploadDone: function(result) {
console.log('Filestack upload result:', result);
const fileHandle = result.filesUploaded[0].handle;
performOCR(fileHandle);
},
accept: ['image/*']
};
client.picker(options).open();
}
function performOCR(fileHandle) {
const ocrUrl = `https://cdn.filestackcontent.com/${FILESTACK_API_KEY}/security=p:${policy},s:${signature}/ocr/${fileHandle}`;
fetch(ocrUrl)
.then(response => response.json())
.then(data => {
console.log('OCR data:', data);
const ocrText = data.text;
document.getElementById('ocr-output').style.display = 'block';
document.getElementById('ocr-text').textContent = 'OCR Result:\n' + ocrText;
})
.catch(error => console.error('Error performing OCR:', error));
}
});
</script>
</body>
</html>
Remember to insert your actual API key, policy, and signature in the above code.
Output
When you run this invoice automation script in your browser, it will display the following screen:
When you click the ‘Upload Image’ button, the Filestack file picker will appear:
We’ll perform OCR on the following invoice:
Results:
Conclusion
Forms recognition SDKs provide pre-built software libraries to integrate form recognition capabilities into apps or workflows. These SDKs automate and simplify data extraction and eliminate manual data entry. They can efficiently extract structured data from various types of forms, making data management quicker and easier.
When choosing a form recognition SDK, consider factors like data accuracy, cost, ease of integration, and security features. Filestack offers accurate data extraction from different forms through its OCR.
Sign up for Filestack today and extract accurate data from forms!
FAQs
What is data extraction, in simple words?
Data extraction means extracting data from various sources. For example, we can extract data/text from various types of forms, such as invoices, tax documents, and job applications.
What are the methods of extracting data?
There are various data extraction methods. These include web scraping, OCR data extraction, document parsing, and API-based data extraction.
What are forms recognition SDKs?
Forms recognition SDKs provide pre-built software libraries and pre-trained models. These SDKs allow developers and businesses to integrate form recognition capabilities into their apps and workflows.
Sidra is an experienced technical writer with a solid understanding of web development, APIs, AI, IoT, and related technologies. She is always eager to learn new skills and technologies.
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