When you have a large number of PDF documents that require text extraction, copying and pasting them one by one is not only inefficient but also prone to errors. This article focuses on the common office task of "batch converting PDF to plain text TXT files," explaining how to use office software to quickly complete the batch conversion. Through the actual interface workflow, you can learn which scenarios it suits, what results you can expect before and after conversion, how to add files and start the processing flow, and what issues to watch out for during use. For users who need to organize materials, archive text, perform content searches, or do subsequent secondary editing, this batch processing method can significantly reduce repetitive work and improve file processing efficiency.
Applicable Scenarios
PDF to TXT plain text conversion is suitable for the following common office scenarios:
- Batch extract text content from contracts, reports, and manuals for easy archiving and retrieval;
- Convert PDF content to txt text for secondary editing, keyword analysis, or import into other systems;
- Quickly obtain a plain text version when organizing learning materials, e-books, and document collections;
- When processing multiple PDF files, avoid the repetitive work of opening, copying, and saving each one individually.
If your need is not just processing 1 file, but dozens or hundreds of PDFs simultaneously, using office software for batch PDF to TXT conversion will save more time compared to manual operation.
Effect Preview
Before Processing
Before processing, the files are in standard PDF document format. As seen in the screenshot, under the "PDF Tools" category, the software provides multiple batch processing capabilities related to PDFs, including the PDF to TXT conversion function.
After entering the specific function page, the file list will display imported PDF records, including information such as name, path, extension, creation time, and modification time, facilitating user verification of files to be processed.
After Processing
After processing is complete, the original PDF will be converted into a TXT plain text file. This resulting format is more suitable for text viewing, copying, searching, organizing, and subsequent processing. For office users needing content archiving or batch text processing, the TXT format is usually more lightweight and easier to circulate.
Operating Steps
Step 1: Enter the "PDF to TXT" Function
As seen from the first screenshot, in the left navigation of HeSoft Doc Batch Tool , the currently selected item is PDF Tools. The right functional area lists various PDF processing capabilities, with the 15th item being PDF to TXT.
The goal of this step is to find the correct batch conversion entry point, avoiding entry into other similar functions, such as PDF to Word, PDF to PowerPoint, PDF to Excel, etc.
Expected Result: Successfully open the processing page corresponding to "PDF to TXT".
Step 2: Add PDF Files to be Converted
As seen from the second screenshot, after entering the function page, the page title clearly shows PDF to TXT. The current process is divided into 3 stages:
- Select records to process
- Set save location
- Start processing
In step 1, the Add Files and Import Files from Folder buttons can be seen in the upper right corner of the page.
- If you only need to process a small number of PDFs, you can click Add Files and manually select multiple PDFs;
- If your PDFs are centrally stored in the same directory, it is more suitable to click Import Files from Folder for batch import at once.
The list in the screenshot has already imported multiple PDF files, and the table displays information like serial number, name, path, and extension, indicating that the software supports centralized management of multiple files to be processed for unified conversion later.
The goal of this step is to add all PDF files that need to be converted to TXT into the task list at once, preparing for subsequent batch processing.
Expected Result: After import is complete, all PDF records to be converted are visible in the file list; if any files were added by mistake, they can be removed using the delete operation on the right side of the list. If you wish to re-select, you can also use the Clear button on the page.
Step 3: Check the File List and Proceed to Next Step
After importing files, it is recommended to check the following:
- Are the file names correct?
- Are the file paths pointing to the target files?
- Is the extension pdf?
- Are there any records that do not need processing?
If there are many files, you can also use the Filter and Sort functions on the page to quickly view the currently imported records.
After confirming everything is correct, click the Next Step button at the bottom of the page to enter the save location setting phase.
The goal of this step is to complete task confirmation before the formal conversion, preventing erroneous files from entering the batch processing workflow.
Expected Result: The process moves from "Select records to process" to "Set save location".
Step 4: Set Save Location and Start Processing
According to the page flow prompts, the next stage is Set save location, and then Start processing. Although the screenshots did not expand the full content of these two pages, it can be reasonably inferred from the current interface flow that the user needs to first select the output location for the TXT files, and then initiate the batch conversion task.
The goal of this step is to determine where the converted TXT plain text files will be saved, facilitating subsequent retrieval and use.
Expected Result: The software performs batch conversion according to the imported PDF list and outputs the corresponding TXT files.
FAQ or Notes
1. What will the content look like after PDF to TXT conversion?
TXT is a plain text format, suitable for saving textual content, but it does not preserve the complex layout, mixed graphics and text effects, and page styles of the original PDF. Therefore, if your goal is "text extraction," TXT is very suitable; if you care more about layout restoration, you should consider other formats based on your needs.
2. Why is batch processing recommended over individual conversion?
For a small number of files, manual processing might be acceptable; but once the file count increases, opening each PDF and exporting them individually leads to significant repetitive work. Using office software for batch PDF to TXT conversion allows for unified import, unified settings, and unified processing, which is more suitable for real office environments.
3. When importing files, choose "Add Files" or "Import Files from Folder"?
If the file sources are scattered, choosing Add Files is more flexible; if multiple PDFs are in the same directory, choosing Import Files from Folder is more efficient. For batch tasks, the latter often saves more time.
4. What should be checked before starting processing?
It is recommended to focus on three checks: Are the files to be processed complete? Are there any extraneous files mixed in? Is the save location convenient for later retrieval? This can reduce the need for rework.
Summary
For office scenarios requiring batch extraction of PDF text content, converting PDF to TXT plain text files is a very practical capability. Through HeSoft Doc Batch Tool , you can quickly find the "PDF to TXT" function from "PDF Tools," batch import files, check records, set the save location, and complete the conversion uniformly, significantly reducing repetitive operations.
If you frequently handle contracts, materials, reports, e-books, or archived documents, it is recommended to use this batch workflow directly to standardize the originally fragmented and time-consuming PDF to TXT work. Import a batch of files to trial-run the workflow once, then expand the processing scope based on the actual number of files; you can usually quickly feel the value of office software in improving efficiency.