PowerBuilder Requires Chilkat v11.7.0+

Extract Text from a PDF that Forbids Copying

See more PDF Text Extraction Examples

Demonstrates a PDF that opens without a password but whose permissions do not allow copying text. The "text", "markdown", "search" and "tables" operations fail with that reason; "assess" always works. Loading the PDF with the OwnerPassword property set grants owner rights, and extraction works. PowerBuilder

integer li_rc
long li_Success
oleobject loo_Pdf
oleobject loo_Json
oleobject loo_JsonOut

li_Success = 0

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

//  The PDF used in this example (owner password: owner-secret; copying not permitted) is available at no_copy_permission.pdf

loo_Pdf = create oleobject
li_rc = loo_Pdf.ConnectToNewObject("Chilkat.Pdf")
if li_rc < 0 then
    destroy loo_Pdf
    MessageBox("Error","Connecting to COM object failed")
    return
end if
loo_Json = create oleobject
li_rc = loo_Json.ConnectToNewObject("Chilkat.JsonObject")

loo_JsonOut = create oleobject
li_rc = loo_JsonOut.ConnectToNewObject("Chilkat.JsonObject")

//  The PDF opens without a password.
li_Success = loo_Pdf.LoadFile("qa_data/pdf/no_copy_permission.pdf")
if li_Success = 0 then
    Write-Debug loo_Pdf.LastErrorText
    destroy loo_Pdf
    destroy loo_Json
    destroy loo_JsonOut
    return
end if

//  Extracting text is refused, because the PDF's permissions do not allow copying.
li_Success = loo_Pdf.ExtractText("text",loo_Json,loo_JsonOut)
if li_Success = 0 then
    Write-Debug "Extraction refused: " + loo_Pdf.LastErrorText
end if

//  "assess" reports only counts and ratings, never text, so it is always allowed.
li_Success = loo_Pdf.ExtractText("assess",loo_Json,loo_JsonOut)
if li_Success = 0 then
    Write-Debug loo_Pdf.LastErrorText
    destroy loo_Pdf
    destroy loo_Json
    destroy loo_JsonOut
    return
end if

Write-Debug "rating: " + loo_JsonOut.StringOf("quality.rating")

//  Load with the owner password to get owner rights, which include copying.
loo_Pdf.OwnerPassword = "owner-secret"
li_Success = loo_Pdf.LoadFile("qa_data/pdf/no_copy_permission.pdf")
if li_Success = 0 then
    Write-Debug loo_Pdf.LastErrorText
    destroy loo_Pdf
    destroy loo_Json
    destroy loo_JsonOut
    return
end if

li_Success = loo_Pdf.ExtractText("text",loo_Json,loo_JsonOut)
if li_Success = 0 then
    Write-Debug loo_Pdf.LastErrorText
    destroy loo_Pdf
    destroy loo_Json
    destroy loo_JsonOut
    return
end if

Write-Debug loo_JsonOut.StringOf("text")

//  Sample output:

//  Extraction refused: ChilkatLog:
//    ExtractText:
//      ...
//        The PDF's permissions do not allow copying or extracting text (load it with the owner password to extract).
//      ...
//  rating: good
//  Visitor Leaflet
//  
//  Welcome to the harbor lighthouse. The tower is open on weekends from July to September.
//  
//  Please keep to the marked paths and do not climb on the breakwater.
//  
//  The lantern room is closed in high winds.


destroy loo_Pdf
destroy loo_Json
destroy loo_JsonOut