DataFlex Requires Chilkat v11.7.0+

Extract Text from a Password-Protected PDF

See more PDF Text Extraction Examples

Demonstrates extracting text from a PDF that requires a password to open. The PDF loads without the password (its structure can be read), but the "text" operation fails because the content cannot be decrypted; "assess" reports that a password is required. With the UserPassword property set before loading, extraction works normally. DataFlex

Use ChilkatAx-win32.pkg

Procedure Test
    Boolean iSuccess
    Handle hoPdf
    Variant vJson
    Handle hoJson
    Variant vJsonOut
    Handle hoJsonOut
    String sTemp1
    Boolean bTemp1

    Move False To iSuccess

    //  This example requires the Chilkat API to have been previously unlocked.
    //  See Global Unlock Sample for sample code.

    //  The PDF used in this example (user password: secret) is available at encrypted_user_password.pdf

    Get Create (RefClass(cComChilkatPdf)) To hoPdf
    If (Not(IsComObjectCreated(hoPdf))) Begin
        Send CreateComObject of hoPdf
    End
    Get Create (RefClass(cComChilkatJsonObject)) To hoJson
    If (Not(IsComObjectCreated(hoJson))) Begin
        Send CreateComObject of hoJson
    End
    Get Create (RefClass(cComChilkatJsonObject)) To hoJsonOut
    If (Not(IsComObjectCreated(hoJsonOut))) Begin
        Send CreateComObject of hoJsonOut
    End

    //  The PDF loads without its password: the file's structure is readable, so properties such as
    //  NumPages and the security settings are available...
    Get ComLoadFile Of hoPdf "qa_data/pdf/encrypted_user_password.pdf" To iSuccess
    If (iSuccess = False) Begin
        Get ComLastErrorText Of hoPdf To sTemp1
        Showln sTemp1
        Procedure_Return
    End

    //  ...but the content cannot be decrypted, so extracting text fails.
    Get pvComObject of hoJson to vJson
    Get pvComObject of hoJsonOut to vJsonOut
    Get ComExtractText Of hoPdf "text" vJson vJsonOut To iSuccess
    If (iSuccess = False) Begin
        Get ComLastErrorText Of hoPdf To sTemp1
        Showln "Cannot extract: " sTemp1
    End

    //  "assess" still works: it reports that a password is required and nothing else.
    Get pvComObject of hoJson to vJson
    Get pvComObject of hoJsonOut to vJsonOut
    Get ComExtractText Of hoPdf "assess" vJson vJsonOut To iSuccess
    If (iSuccess = False) Begin
        Get ComLastErrorText Of hoPdf To sTemp1
        Showln sTemp1
        Procedure_Return
    End

    Get ComBoolOf Of hoJsonOut "quality.passwordRequired" To bTemp1
    Showln "passwordRequired: " bTemp1
    Get ComStringOf Of hoJsonOut "quality.rating" To sTemp1
    Showln "rating: " sTemp1

    //  Set the password and load again.
    Set ComUserPassword Of hoPdf To "secret"
    Get ComLoadFile Of hoPdf "qa_data/pdf/encrypted_user_password.pdf" To iSuccess
    If (iSuccess = False) Begin
        Get ComLastErrorText Of hoPdf To sTemp1
        Showln sTemp1
        Procedure_Return
    End

    Get pvComObject of hoJson to vJson
    Get pvComObject of hoJsonOut to vJsonOut
    Get ComExtractText Of hoPdf "text" vJson vJsonOut To iSuccess
    If (iSuccess = False) Begin
        Get ComLastErrorText Of hoPdf To sTemp1
        Showln sTemp1
        Procedure_Return
    End

    Get ComStringOf Of hoJsonOut "text" To sTemp1
    Showln sTemp1

    //  Sample output:

    //  Cannot extract: ChilkatLog:
    //    ExtractText:
    //      ...
    //        The PDF is encrypted and could not be opened (wrong or missing password); its text cannot be read.
    //      ...
    //  passwordRequired: true
    //  rating: none
    //  Board Minutes (Confidential)
    //  
    //  The board met on 3 November 2026. Present: the chair, the treasurer and four members. The treasurer reported that spending for the season came in under budget.
    //  
    //  The meeting closed at 8.45 p.m.


End_Procedure