5 PDF Tasks You Didn’t Know Could Be Done Through A Web Browser

Web browsers have come a long way. There was a time when finally being able to view a PDF natively inside Firefox or Chrome got everyone excited. Now, viewing PDFs is the most basic PDF task you can perform.

Aside from viewing PDFs in your browser, you now know more than a handful of PDF tasks you can accomplish online. But we’ll bet that there are still a few PDF web tricks you didn’t know about. Here are 5 you probably didn’t know about.

1. Translate PDF Text

Because you know that PDFs are hard to edit, it’s natural that you wouldn’t peg the format as one you could translate into different languages. However, it is possible to do so without converting your file and manually translating it word for word with Google Translate.

The online translator  is a popular tool for anyone who needs a quick reference. But in case you didn’t notice, it also has an option where you can upload a document to be translated–PDFs included! Obviously, just as the translations for manual text entries may not be 100%, the translations for documents can be slightly inaccurate, as well. So use this tool with that caveat in mind.

2. Convert PDF to JPEG, Excel and PowerPoint

You’re strapped for time. You need to make some final analysis on tabular data. You need to prep approved images for publication.  You need to make some tweaks to a presentation you’re giving in a few hours. Any of these sound familiar? These scenarios are all too common, and in each case, a PDF file can be involved, making that single PDF task even tougher.

Convert PDF To JPG Online

In cases like these, online conversion tools can be a lifesaver. We know the constraints of time, money and resources. That’s why we’ve made it easy for you to get that PDF to JPEG, PDF to Excel and PDF to PowerPoint conversion done. No installation needed. No registration required. Just upload your file, enter your email and click on Convert. Your file will be emailed to you, free of charge.

3. Read a PDF File Out Loud 

Anyone who needs to review, research or do some reading can especially hate the task if it involves doing so with a PDF document and a busy schedule. Not only does it mean having to read a screen, but, if you’re on the go, it also means having to do it on a mobile device. Something a bit cumbersome for a 5-7 inch gadget. And that’s why SpokenText  makes this list.

This tool is an online text to audio converter that comes with the ability to convert text in documents to audio files (.mp3, .m4b) you can take with you. You literally turn your reading task into a listening one. It can convert Word documents, plain text files and PDF documents, just to name a few. This online tool has paid and trial accounts with a few customizable features that makes it worth checking out.

4. Bookmark Your Page In A PDF

Reading lengthy PDF files in Chrome is common and it can be pretty frustrating at times.  You close your PDF, lose your page and then open the file later on, only to scroll through the entire PDF  to find the one place where you left off.

The Chrome extension, Additor allows you to quickly bookmark the PDF you’re reading.

5. Sign PDF Documents

Signing PDFs is one of those tasks that you don’t want to do. It sounds tedious and difficult. So it may surprise you that it can accomplished online and with Chrome, no less. Of course, this capability is done through a Chrome extension: HelloSign.

Selecting Signature Type

HelloSign will let you add form fields and signatures to PDFs that are uploaded to Google Drive. Signed documents come with an audit trail to keep track of them, email notifications to all parties, and the ability to share the signed form. Read our tutorial on how to sign PDF documents. We feature a step by step look at how to use this extension to add a signature to your PDF documents.

With just a few of these tips, you can further enhance how you work with PDF files online. Give them a try and let us know how they work out for you.

Introducing The First Universal PDF Converter On The Market: Able2Extract 8

We are excited to announce the release of Able2Extract  8! This latest version is a landmark release in the PDF industry today.   In a first for Windows, Mac and Linux, Able2Extract 8 is the first cross platform PDF converter that is compatible on all three major operating systems.

Cross Platform Compatibility

Our developers have worked hard the past year to ensure that every user, regardless of platform or hardware, can enjoy the same quick, accurate conversions that, up until now, only Windows users have been able to enjoy.

And it’s paid off.

Not only can Able2Extract 8 operate on different platforms, it can run even better than ever with a few new features and some powerful tweaks.

Cross Platform Compatibility with Mac and Linux for the First Time

Thus far, Able2Extract has been available exclusively on the Windows platform. Not anymore.  Able2Extract PDF Converter 8 is now available on the Mac OS X platform.  Mac users on the latest Mountain Lion operating system can take full advantage of the same conversion options and features that are offered in the Windows version.

Able2Extract 8 Mac version

And this goes for the Linux platform as well. Users on the Ubuntu and Redhat distributions can finally convert files without any command line tools or complicated scripts. Conversions are now straightforward and simpler through a graphical user interface.

Able2Extract Linux Version

Intuitive PDF to Excel Custom Conversion Interface

Following this same straightforward simplicity is our newly redesigned PDF to Excel custom conversion interface.  You can now customize your rows, columns, tables and footers in a more direct way with single click customization options.

PDF To Excel

Also new to our PDF to Excel custom conversion is the Show Preview option. It allows you to see your conversion results before you hit the Convert button.

Able2Extract Show Preview Feature

 Give the new features a try on your most complicated PDF tables!

New Easy PDF Navigation & Viewing Features

Once you open a PDF in Able2Extract 8, you’ll also notice a Preview Pane on the left hand side. This new side bar gives you better navigational control and a quick overview of your PDF’s pages, bookmarks and attachments. Multiple PDFs are now visually within reach and easy to work with.

Able2Extract Navigation sidebar

Improved OCR Technology

Even the OCR engine in our Professional version has been improved.  Scanned PDFs are usually poor in quality with broken, grainy text. Able2Extract Professional’s OCR technology was tweaked to generate image-based conversions more accurately and smoothly. Trust us.  You’ll feel the difference.  

Able2Extract Professional 8

 

To test these features out for yourself,  download an Able2Extract 8 free  trial from the download page.   Once you’re on the page, just select your platform and click on the download button.

Download Able2Extract 8

Don’t forget to let us know what you think of this latest version!

5 Great Able2Extract Tips for College Students

There are tons of college hacks that can make your academic life easier. From saving money to improving your study routine, building up efficient habits is key to surviving the year.  But have you ever considered developing a few PDF hacks to survive through an assignment?

For instance, take stock. How do you manage? Do you print up PDF files for taking notes and highlighting or do you read them off of your computer screen? How do you use PDF notes and research? Could you use a few PDF workarounds yourself?

Able2Extract has a few features that can do wonders on a PDF when you’re looking for a quick way to get things done. Here are some simple tips for some effective features.

1. Take Only the PDF Content You Need

As you know, professors oftentimes use the PDF format for handouts that can contain anything from related articles to lecture notes that can help you with your projects or research. Problem is you’ll usually need only certain sections, not the whole document.

Needing to take advantage of the material though, you’ll probably think of converting the entire file and deleting the chunks you don’t need.   With Able2Extract you don’t need to do that.  Use the mouse to highlight and select the content to convert. You can choose which pages, lines, or paragraphs you need while eliminating what you don’t want at the same time.

2. Work with PDFs AND OpenOffice

Not everyone has MS Office. In fact, you may choose to use a free alternative like OpenOffice. So what do you do when every PDF converter you come across only does PDF to MS Office conversions? Able2Extract can help you there, as well. You can get your PDF content in open source formats in just a few clicks.

Able2Extract Licence

Able2Extract can convert from PDF to Writer, Impress and Calc just as easily as it can convert from PDF to Word, PowerPoint and Excel.  The conversion process is the same. Just open, select and choose the PDF to OpenOffice conversion option on the toolbar.

3. Get Social by Creating Publications with PDF content

Involved with a few department clubs or student organizations? Throwing a fundraiser or setting up an information booth?  If so, you’ll probably need to get the word out or advertize your cause effectively. For most users, a DIY solution like Microsoft Publisher is all that’s needed to create high quality publications like newsletters and advertisements.

Well, you’ll be interested in knowing that Able2Extract can convert PDF to MS Publisher (.pub).  This means you can edit and create quality brochures or handbills yourself without having to start from scratch.  It’s a cost effective way to publish finalized advertising proofs in PDF format or quickly updating existing PDF fliers for your next student event.

4. Create PowerPoint Presentations Quickly

There are also the PDF files that are made from PowerPoint presentations conducted in class.  If your professor sets up a bulletin board on the web, he or she will more than likely post those PDFs online for easy access, building up a great resource for your own future presentations and assignments.

PDF to Power Point Tutorial

If you see a chart or slide you can refer to in your own presentation, why not convert the PDF to PowerPoint?  Able2Extract lets you convert either selected content or whole files. For entire PDF conversions, each PDF page you have will convert to a single individual slide. You can then edit and add as much as you need in MS PowerPoint itself.

5. Keep Research, References, and Quotes Digital

There are a lot of torrents and sites where you can find PDF versions of text books and novels for classes. If you find the version you need, you can then easily cut down on your work by keeping your research, references, and quotes digital. You can even convert them without having to actually “convert” anything.

Copy and Paste Method Able2Extract

Instead of re-typing whole sections from the physical book into your essay, you can quickly use Able2Extract to copy and paste the text you need. Select a portion of text by using either the Copy option in the Edit menu or using Ctrl+ C, and paste it into the document you’re working on.

Try a few of these basic tips next time you come across a PDF and see how they work out for you.  If you’re looking for more specific user tips, let us know what you’d like to see. There’s always an easier way to do something with Able2Extract.

Investintech.com Releases New Product Versions

Good news everyone!

We’ve just released the newest version of our flagship product, Able2Extract, this week. It’s now at version 4.0, which means more advanced conversions for extracting PDF graphics into different formats.

And in addition to that update, we’ve also improved our Able2Doc products as well, with better PDF to Word conversion output and an updated interface.

Of course, if you have previous versions of our software, we’ve got upgrades posted up for you so you don’t miss out on the latest features.

And so, in honour of taking one gigantic step forward with the new release, I thought it would be a good time to take a small step back. Releasing a new product version is always a perfect time to reminisce about the “good ol’ days”—thinking about where you’ve been and what you’ve done. And, in 6 years, after hard work (read: blood, sweat and tears) we’ve come a long way!

A Brief Trip Down Memory Lane

We also have our own history of fun facts to know and tell that date back to our foundation in 2000. In the early days, when trying to build the name and the product line, Investintech worked out of the company president’s apartment for a time (that’s right, “home base” was actually “home”). The staff was numbered at only 3 at the time: the president, executive vice president and lead developer, which meant honing down those much needed multi-tasking abilities until workloads demanded a staff. It consists of 9 members today.

The name “Investintech.com,”  itself, was coined because the site was initially supposed to be a financial information website focused on small cap technology companies. In the end, we found a nice niche in the PDF world, expanding one idea into another and eventually into one that combined specific working needs and practical software demands.

Our first product, Able2Extract 1.0, in fact, began as a simple PDF to Excel converter, which worked well, but not well enough to be put out on the market. After innovation, expansion and development, the products branched out into ones with more advanced capabilities—Able2Doc, Sonic, OCR technology, better GUIs, SDKs, server side software, conversions to HTML, PowerPoint, Word, and (better conversions to) Excel. Thus, this new version adds another big milestone to the list with a foothold in the graphic conversion arena.

Now, in a nice and cozy (and just as home-y) office here in downtown Toronto, Investintech has grown into the company you see on the screen before you.

There’ve been many challenges and successes along the way, and these new product versions are only one of them. And undoubtedly, there’ll be more to come.

Cheers!