Microsoft is working on a technology to convert non-editable PDFs into editable documents while preserving all original features. As you might have guessed, the technology involves AI.
There are literally dozens of existing methods that claim to convert PDFs to an editable format, both via software and online services, but these methods are notoriously poor at preserving the original layout. The ability to convert non-editable documents to editable documents is something we’ve all craved at one time or another and Microsoft’s new AI-driven technology would represent a real game changer.
The new technology, which is explained in a recently published paper titled “Method and System of Generating an Editable Document from a Non-Editable Document“, will address the long-standing issues encountered by users when attempting to edit and/or amend a PDF.
The proposed methodology, as explained in the aforementioned paper, sounds quite technical:
A system and method and for generating an editable document from a non-editable document includes automatically identifying a layout for a plurality of objects in the non-editable document, where the layout includes bounding boxes of one or more of the objects, and automatically identifying a font for a text object of the plurality of objects. The method and system also includes selecting a color scheme for one or more of the plurality of objects, the color scheme corresponding to one or more color values associated with the plurality of objects the non-editable document, before automatically generating the editable document in accordance with at least one of the identified layout, identified font and selected color scheme.
The bottom line is that the result would be the creation of a fully editable document preserving all original elements.
As well as being able to accurately identify and carry over these elements, Microsoft also promises the new editable document can be resized without losing structural integrity.
Some pundits have expressed a concern that unlocking a PDF’s inherent protection might pose a risk. However, as far as I am aware, there are multiple existing methods available for adding extra layers of protection to PDFs.
Personally, I welcome this new technology and see it as a real step forward. When this has been successfully implemented, Microsoft’s AI-driven solution will provide an effective method to convert and edit PDF documents without compromising the originals.
I’m not so sure, however, that developers of PDF conversion/editing software will be quite so thrilled.
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