Java Requires Chilkat v11.7.0+

Exclude or Include Running Headers and Page Numbers

See more PDF Text Extraction Examples

Demonstrates the "repeatedHeadersFooters" filter. Text repeated at the same position on most pages, such as a running header and "Page N of 4" footers, is left out by default; set the filter to "include" to keep it. Java

import com.chilkatsoft.*;

public class ChilkatExample {

  static {
    try {
        System.loadLibrary("chilkat");
    } catch (UnsatisfiedLinkError e) {
      System.err.println("Native code library failed to load.\n" + e);
      System.exit(1);
    }
  }

  public static void main(String argv[])
  {
    boolean success = false;

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

    //  The four-page PDF used in this example is available at running_header.pdf

    CkPdf pdf = new CkPdf();
    success = pdf.LoadFile("qa_data/pdf/running_header.pdf");
    if (success == false) {
        System.out.println(pdf.lastErrorText());
        return;
        }

    CkJsonObject json = new CkJsonObject();
    CkJsonObject jsonOut = new CkJsonObject();

    //  Every page has the header "Harbor Lighthouse Society - Annual Report 2026" at the top right
    //  and "Page N of 4" at the bottom.  By default both are excluded, so the text of page 2 is just
    //  its heading and paragraphs.
    json.UpdateString("pages","2");
    success = pdf.ExtractText("text",json,jsonOut);
    if (success == false) {
        System.out.println(pdf.lastErrorText());
        return;
        }

    System.out.println("---- default (repeated headers and footers excluded) ----");
    System.out.println(jsonOut.stringOf("text"));

    //  Include them.  The detection looks at the neighbouring pages even when only one page is
    //  selected, so a single page extracted on its own still loses its running head by default.
    json.UpdateString("repeatedHeadersFooters","include");
    success = pdf.ExtractText("text",json,jsonOut);
    if (success == false) {
        System.out.println(pdf.lastErrorText());
        return;
        }

    System.out.println("---- repeatedHeadersFooters: include ----");
    System.out.println(jsonOut.stringOf("text"));

    //  Sample output:

    //  ---- default (repeated headers and footers excluded) ----
    //  The Work
    //  
    //  The restoration society took ownership in 2021 with three goals: make the structure watertight, return the tower to public access, and relight the lantern with a historically accurate lens. The first two were met in the second season, and the lens arrived on loan in November.
    //  
    //  The spiral stair is original and is the most fragile part of the building. Twelve of the ninety-one treads were cracked or missing, and the central column had corroded badly at the second landing. The treads were cast from patterns taken off an intact tread.
    //  ---- repeatedHeadersFooters: include ----
    //  Harbor Lighthouse Society - Annual Report 2026
    //  
    //  The Work
    //  
    //  The restoration society took ownership in 2021 with three goals: ...
    //  
    //  The spiral stair is original and is the most fragile part of the building. ...
    //  
    //  Page 2 of 4
  }
}