# Extract usable data from documents

Editorial revision: 2026-10-28. Product documentation dates and access limits are shown on individual listings.

> Which AI tools convert documents into structured text, tables and fields?

A document parser is a different tool from an assistant that writes a fluent answer about a PDF. Compare the structure and source locations you receive before sending extracted data into another workflow.

A hand-picked shortlist from the Agent Search Engine index. Every pick is a real listing; the repository, pricing-category and activity figures are recorded catalogue fields, not performance tests. Browse on the web: https://agentsearchengine.app/use/extract-data-from-documents

## Editorial starting points

### Local conversion package: Docling
- MIT code; hardware, model and optional service costs · Infrastructure · Open source · recorded license: MIT
- **Setup:** Developer — Python / model setup
- **Why:** Docling parses layout and exports structured document data. Local pipelines can run offline after model setup; remote enrichment or managed services have different processing destinations and terms.
- [Capability source](https://docling-project.github.io/docling/usage/)
- [listing](https://agentsearchengine.app/agents/docling) · [official](https://docling.ai/)

### Hosted web and API: Unstructured Transform
- Starter page allowance; then paid usage · Platform · License not checked
- **Setup:** Hosted — account / usage billing
- **Why:** Unstructured Transform accepts documents and returns Markdown or structured elements with page locations. This hosted offering is separate from the parsing library; starter allowances do not establish a recurring free entitlement.
- [Capability source](https://unstructured.io/transform)
- [listing](https://agentsearchengine.app/agents/unstructured-transform) · [official](https://unstructured.io/transform)

## What to watch for
Use a document with known answers and verify tables, merged cells, units, reading order and page associations. Retain the original file and a way to trace each extracted value. For confidential material, confirm the selected deployment and data terms before uploading it.

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Source: [Agent Search Engine](https://agentsearchengine.app) — more task-first guides: https://agentsearchengine.app/use