pypdf

Extract text, metadata, and pages from PDF files using pypdf. Use for tasks such as reading PDF content, extracting specific pages, splitting or merging PDFs...

Use scripts/pypdf_cli.py for deterministic PDF operations instead of ad-hoc pypdf snippets.

Workflow

1. Confirm the PDF file path is accessible locally.
2. Run the desired command (inspect, extract-text, extract-pages, merge, split, rotate).
3. Inspect text output or the resulting PDF file.

Command Guide

• Inspect metadata and page count:
  • python scripts/pypdf_cli.py info --input <file.pdf>
• Extract all text:
  • python scripts/pypdf_cli.py extract-text --input <file.pdf>
• Extract text from specific pages (0-indexed):
  • python scripts/pypdf_cli.py extract-text --input <file.pdf> --pages 0 1 2
• Split PDF into individual pages:
  • python scripts/pypdf_cli.py split --input <file.pdf> --output-dir <dir/>
• Extract a page range into a new PDF:
  • python scripts/pypdf_cli.py extract-pages --input <file.pdf> --pages 0 1 2 --output <out.pdf>
• Merge multiple PDFs:
  • python scripts/pypdf_cli.py merge --inputs <a.pdf> <b.pdf> <c.pdf> --output <merged.pdf>
• Rotate pages:
  • python scripts/pypdf_cli.py rotate --input <file.pdf> --angle 90 --output <rotated.pdf>
  • --angle must be 90, 180, or 270.
  • Optionally restrict to specific pages with --pages 0 2.

Operational Rules

• Pages are always 0-indexed in all commands.
• For extract-text, output goes to stdout; redirect to a file when needed.
• Require explicit --output for commands that write a new PDF.
• Install dependency if missing: pip install pypdf.