Introduction to Parsr
Parsr is a powerful tool designed to transform complex documents into easily usable data. Created by the AXA Group, Parsr stands out for its ability to handle various types of documents, such as images, PDFs, Word documents, and emails. It processes these documents and provides clean, structured, and rich data in different formats like JSON, Markdown, CSV, Pandas DataFrame, or plain text. This makes it an invaluable resource for analysts, data scientists, and developers who need ready-to-use data for automating tasks such as data entry, document analysis, and archiving.
Key Features of Parsr
Parsr excels at several document processing tasks. It not only cleans documents but also reconstructs their hierarchy into words, lines, and paragraphs. The tool identifies significant elements of documents, such as headings, tables, lists, tables of contents, page numbers, headers, footers, and hyperlinks. By doing so, Parsr helps create a well-organized dataset that can be used in various applications, enhancing both the efficiency and accuracy of document analysis.
Getting Started with Parsr
Installation
Getting started with Parsr is straightforward. The quickest method is to use Docker, a platform for developing, shipping, and running applications with the help of containers. With just a single command, users can download and run the Parsr API:
docker pull axarev/parsr
For a visual interface to submit documents and view results, an additional download is available:
docker pull axarev/parsr-ui-localhost
For those who prefer a direct installation without Docker, detailed instructions are available in the advanced installation guide.
Usage
Running the Parsr API involves a simple command:
docker run -p 3001:3001 axarev/parsr
This launches the API on http://localhost:3001, where users can upload documents and receive processed data.
For Python users, a convenient client is available:
pip install parsr-client
Additional tools such as a Jupyter Notebook demo and a GUI viewer can further enhance the user experience with Parsr. The GUI viewer can be accessed through http://localhost:8080 after running the appropriate Docker command.
Documentation and Contribution
Comprehensive documentation is available, guiding users through the installation, configuration, and usage of Parsr. This ensures that users can fully leverage all features of the tool to meet their specific needs. Additionally, Parsr encourages contributions from its user community. Guidelines for contributing to the project are clearly outlined, welcoming those interested in enhancing the tool.
Licensing and Dependencies
Parsr is a free and open-source project licensed under the Apache 2.0 license. It utilizes several third-party libraries such as QPDF, ImageMagick, and Pdfminer.six, each with its respective licenses, ensuring a robust and legally compliant foundation for its features.
In summary, Parsr is a versatile document processing tool that provides users with clean and structured data ready for immediate application. Its easy installation and comprehensive documentation make it accessible to a wide audience, from individual developers to large organizations. With Parsr, turning documents into actionable data becomes a seamless and efficient process.