How to use Llama Parse to convert PDF to text and extract complex table data. For Annual Reports, 10Ks, Research Reports

Published: March 20, 2024

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Including a Llama Parse PDF to Markdown converter

Extracting data, especially table data, from complex PDFs with tables used to be a challenge. But with the launch of LlamaParse by LlamaIndex, that period is now over.

Originally published on LinkedIn. Embedded post below.

Note for developers doing the conversion themselves with Python/JS scripts:

• The API call works faster than the Python package.
• Chunking the file before parsing improves speeds.
• Currently, around 50 pages seems to be the optimal chunk size.
• Parsing is faster when done in 50-page chunks versus the full file at once, even for say a 100-page report.
• Tested chunk sizes between 25 to 100 pages, with less than 50 or more than 50 pages increasing the conversion time.
• However, all this can change rapidly as LlamaParse is evolving quickly. For example, just a few days back they increased file size limit from 200 to 700 pages.