How to Export Acrobat PDF Comparison Results to TXT or XML
Question details
The user needs to export the differences found in an Adobe Acrobat PDF comparison into a structured format like TXT or XML for further analysis or automated reporting.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Comparing two PDF files and attempting to extract the comparison report data into a text-based or structured data file.
- Observed behavior
- Acrobat displays the differences in a visual PDF comparison report but lacks a direct, built-in option to export these results as a TXT or XML file.
Ensure you have completed the PDF comparison in Acrobat and have the visual comparison report open. Note that native export to structured TXT or XML is limited, so you may need to export the plain text or use specialized extraction tools.
Save the Comparison Report as PDF and Extract Text
Since Acrobat generates a PDF report of the differences, you can save this report and then export its contents to a plain text file format.
Adobe Acrobat is primarily designed to display document differences visually. By saving the generated comparison review document, you can utilize Acrobat's standard export functionality to extract the text content, making it available as a TXT file.
Run the 'Compare Files' tool in Adobe Acrobat with your old and new files to generate the visual comparison report.
Click 'File' > 'Save' to save the generated comparison report as a standard PDF file on your computer.
Open the saved comparison PDF, navigate to 'File' > 'Export To' > 'Text (Plain)' or 'Text (Accessible)', and save it as a TXT file.
Utilize Third-Party PDF Comparison Tools
If strict XML or structured TXT formatting is required for automation, a specialized third-party document comparison tool or API is necessary.
Manage and Edit PDFs Easily with WPS Office
While Acrobat may lack direct XML export for comparisons, WPS Office provides a comprehensive, lightweight, and free alternative for handling your daily PDF, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint tasks. Enjoy seamless format compatibility and a familiar interface.
- 1. Download and Install WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
- 2. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and open your PDF, Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files directly within the unified workspace.
- 3. Utilize PDF Tools: Access the 'PDF' tab to view, edit, convert, and manage your PDF documents with ease.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I export Adobe Acrobat comparison results directly to Excel?
No, Acrobat does not have a direct export to Excel specifically for comparison results. You must save the comparison report as a PDF first, and then you can try exporting that saved PDF to an Excel spreadsheet via the 'Export To' menu.
Why doesn't Acrobat support XML export for PDF comparisons?
Acrobat's comparison tool is designed primarily for visual review by human users rather than automated data extraction. Therefore, it generates a visual PDF report instead of raw structured data formats like XML or JSON.
Is there a way to automate PDF comparison data extraction?
Yes, but it typically requires bypassing Acrobat's standard UI. You would need to use enterprise-level third-party comparison APIs or custom scripts that are specifically built to parse differences and return JSON or XML data.
