What is Text Extraction and how is it different from Text Classification?

Artificial intelligence and machine learning have emerged to be the best technology ever. It is now transforming each industry and proving to be a reliable asset for humans. One of the best examples of machine learning is text analysis which has benefited many contemporary companies. 

So, what does text analysis mean? 

In simplest terms, one can describe text analysis as the automated method of converting unstructured data and text into structured formats with the help of machine learning and NLP. The entire point of this process is collecting information and putting it together to reach a more meaningful conclusion.

Today, the most advisable or beneficial text analysis techniques are text extraction and text classification, which empowers you to do the following: 

• With the help of text classification, you can automate the process of organization of texts into categories. 
• Text extraction lets you skip the hassle of manually entering texts locked on images, pdfs, and scanned documents and create editable soft copies of documents in seconds. 
• And lastly, a software with text extraction capabilities like dox2U always helps retrieve documents easily with the help of content-based search.

However, that is not all about text extraction and text classification. In this article, we will talk about the following: 

1. What is text extraction? 
2. What are the different ways you can leverage text extraction? 
3. How is text classification different from text extraction?

What Exactly does Text Extraction mean?

Also known as Keyword Extraction, it is a process that helps extract text sealed on Images, Scanned Documents, and PDFs so that the user can create an editable soft copy of the same. 

Advanced text extraction tools are equipped with technologies required to extract handwritten text, making them extremely useful tools. 

In more technical terms, one might want to put it like so: 

OCR (a machine learning technology) facilitates the process of extracting sealed text from different documents and creating workable versions of the same.

To deal with more complex documents, OCR technology sometimes draws its power from Artificial Intelligence. And the following are the ways, Text Extraction could come in handy to businesses in today’s time: 

• It saves you the time you waste manually creating workable soft copies of documents.
• Businesses that have opted for any softwares with text extraction or OCR capabilities will be able to index the documents easily with its help. 
• And lastly, creating different editable versions of documents becomes more manageable.

Text Extraction of any document or unstructured text happens in two phases:

• The initial step is when the text is scanned 
• Later, the same is processed, and the softwares leverage varied algorithms to do the same. 

This means that the softwares are trained or developed to scan texts in a way that considers the text’s size, font, spacing, and similar other things. 

The outputs received from the first step are then processed; this step differs in operation for different softwares since their algorithms differ too. 

The entire process depends absolutely on the algorithm. If the algorithm already has character inputs, they are more likely to keep it simple and produce the outcomes by matching what they’ve gathered from the document to what they know about the language. 

Others might get a little more tactical.

What are the different ways you can leverage text extraction? 

• Text extraction from the image

Practically speaking, OCR is not the only way one can extract text from an image. There are other techniques too in the industry, namely: 

1. Maximum Stable External Regions
2. Stroke Width Transformation

Although both these techniques are proven to be wildly inaccurate, and thus, businesses and even individuals prefer to opt for Optical Character Recognition to do the job better and faster. 

The process of extracting text from an image with the help of OCR involves the following steps: 

• Pre-processing 

At this stage, every extra element on the document is eliminated so that the next step of recognition can be performed smoothly. 

• Text recognition

Later in this stage, the algorithm recognizes different characters and texts per its understanding. 

• Post-processing 

The final stage includes processing the collected information and cross-checking the same with the algorithm’s dictionary to reach conclusions.

Text extraction from pdf

The process of extracting text from a PDF is very similar to that of extracting text from an image. 

Since OCR is the primary technique that makes accurate extraction of locked text possible quickly, it is the one leveraged widely to pull sealed content from PDFs as well. 

However, the same does become a challenge for softwares because of the following complications that come with PDF versions: 

• Split lines. 
• Text within images. 
• Space and alignment issues. 
• Handwritten texts.

How is text classification different from text extraction?

Understanding the difference between the two can get a little tricky. But there remains a significant difference between these two text analysis techniques. 

Text Classification: while a text extraction tool will focus on catching the exact terms and phrases, the job of text classification tech is to categorize the same by understanding the overall idea of it. 

Instead of pulling out exact terms from the text mentioned above, like “text extraction,” the classifier will focus on categorizing the same.

Text extraction: this process focuses on extracting key terms, phrases, and words in the document. 

The software is smartly engineered to extract the exact keywords and phrases so it can create editable versions of documents easily.

Concluding Remarks 

Text extraction and classification are two significant technological advancements that we have today. However, these might look like a small solution to a minor problem for those who do not understand what it takes to manage paper and documents regularly. 

It sure is a friend to those dealing with the repercussions of paper-based documentation who are willing to digitize now. The reality is that the digitization of documents is not enough. It would help if you had additional functionalities to help you reap the benefits of it. 

Technologies like text extraction help make digitization a more acceptable concept to the world at large. These advancements help those who live under a veil see clearly and analyze why it is about time they take the much-needed step of going paperless. 

Moreover, such capabilities give them strength and confidence too! dox2U is one such software that leverages text extraction to make people’s life easier. If you also wish for a better and stress-free life, go ahead, and claim it on the website!