Merge pull request #492 from telerik/new-kb-convert-pdf-table-to-datatable-5e4bf5fc63d641a7a10773e99f4b302a

Added new kb article convert-pdf-table-to-datatable

Author: YoanKar

knowledge-base/convert-pdf-table-to-datatable.md

@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+---
+title: Converting PDF Table Content to DataTable using RadSpreadProcessing and UI interaction
+description: Learn how to transform a table from a PDF file into a DataTable object using the Telerik Document Processing libraries and UI interaction.
+type: how-to
+page_title: How to Convert PDF Table to DataTable with Telerik Document Processing
+slug: convert-pdf-table-to-datatable
+tags: document, processing, table, datatable, convert, pdf, excel
+res_type: kb
+ticketid: 1675626
+---
+
+## Environment
+
+| Version | Product | Author | 
+| ---- | ---- | ---- | 
+| 2024.4.1106| Telerik Document Processing Libraries|[Desislava Yordanova](https://www.telerik.com/blogs/author/desislava-yordanova)| 
+
+## Description
+
+Learn how to convert a specific table from a PDF file into a [DataTable](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/api/system.data.datatable?view=net-5.0) object using **Telerik Document Processing** libraries.
+
+## Solution
+
+Telerik Document Processing libraries **do not** offer a **direct** method to convert a PDF table to a DataTable object. However, a feasible workaround is available. This method involves utilizing MS Excel or [RadSpreadsheet](https://docs.telerik.com/devtools/winforms/controls/spreadsheet/overview) for the intermediary conversion step.
+
+1. Select and copy the desired table's content from the PDF file.
+2. Paste the copied content into **MS Excel** or **RadSpreadsheet**. This step converts the PDF table into an Excel format.
+3. Save the document into XLSX with [RadSpreadProcessing]({%slug radspreadprocessing-overview%}).
+4. Use the RadSpreadProcessing library to convert the Excel document into a DataTable. Utilize the [DataTableFormatProvider]({%slug radspreadprocessing-formats-and-conversion-using-data-table-format-provider%}) from RadSpreadProcessing for this conversion.
+
+Here is a code snippet demonstrating the conversion of an XLSX document to a DataTable using RadSpreadProcessing:
+
+```csharp
+using Telerik.Windows.Documents.Spreadsheet.FormatProviders.OpenXml.Xlsx;
+using Telerik.Windows.Documents.Spreadsheet.Model;
+using System.Data;
+using Telerik.Windows.Documents.Spreadsheet.FormatProviders;
+
+// Load the XLSX file
+Workbook workbook;
+using (FileStream input = new FileStream("path_to_your_xlsx_file.xlsx", FileMode.Open))
+{
+    IWorkbookFormatProvider formatProvider = new XlsxFormatProvider();
+    workbook = formatProvider.Import(input);
+}
+
+// Convert the first worksheet to DataTable
+Worksheet worksheet = workbook.Worksheets[0];
+DataTable dataTable = new DataTable();
+
+DataTableFormatProvider dataTableFormatProvider = new DataTableFormatProvider();
+dataTable = dataTableFormatProvider.Export(worksheet);
+```
+
+This solution provides a way to parse PDF table content and use it as a DataTable, leveraging the powerful features of Telerik Document Processing libraries.
+
+## See Also
+
+- [RadWordsProcessing Overview]({%slug radwordsprocessing-overview%})
+- [RadSpreadProcessing Overview]({%slug radspreadprocessing-overview%})
+- [Using DataTable Format Provider]({%slug radspreadprocessing-formats-and-conversion-using-data-table-format-provider%})
+- [Import and Export to Excel File Formats]({%slug radspreadprocessing-formats-and-conversion-xlsx-xlsxformatprovider%})

libraries/radspreadprocessing/formats-and-conversion/data-table/using-data-table-format-provider.md

@@ -63,4 +63,5 @@ Example 3 demonstrates how you can export an existing Worksheet to a DataTable.
 # See Also
 
 * [Settings]({%slug radspreadprocessing-formats-and-conversion-data-table-formatprovider-settings%})
-* [Timeout Mechanism]({%slug timeout-mechanism-in-dpl%})
+* [Converting PDF Table Content to DataTable]({%slug convert-pdf-table-to-datatable%})
+* [Timeout Mechanism]({%slug timeout-mechanism-in-dpl%})