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How to extract images from a PDF
A PDF (portable document format) file provides a quick and convenient way to share and print documents and files. You can edit and create PDF files if you have the right apps, but these are primarily read-only files that you can open on any device. Because of how PDF files work, extracting text and images from them is challenging without the correct tools. Here’s how to extract images from a PDF.
Read more: How to save a webpage as a PDF file
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To extract images from a PDF, use a PDF reader like Adobe Acrobat DC. Right-click on the image and click on the Select tool (cursor icon). Click on the image to select it, then right-click and choose Save image as. You can also use Adobe Acrobat DC to export multiple images from a single PDF file. If you don't have a PDF reader, you can quickly extract images using online tools like Sejda or the Windows Snipping Tool.
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How to extract images from a PDF using Adobe Reader DC
You can extract pictures one at a time using the free version of Adobe Reader DC. Right-click on the image you want to extract and click on the Select tool (cursor icon). You can also click on the cursor icon at the top bar if you have the shortcut set up already.
Click on the image, then right-click and select Save image as. You can extract and save the image to a folder on your PC.
You will need Adobe Acrobat Pro DC if you have a large file with many images. It’s an expensive subscription, but you can use a 7-day free trial to see if it’s worth it. Open the PDF file, go to the Tools tab, and select Export PDF.
You can also go to View > Tools > Export PDF > Open if you don’t see the tab. You might also see the Export PDF option in the right-hand menu, depending on the menu setup.
Under the Export PDF options, select Image. Choose the format you want and ensure you check the box next to Export all images. If you don’t, it will convert every page of the PDF file into a JPEG instead of only extracting the images. Click on Export and choose the folder in which you want to save all the images.
How to extract images from a PDF online
If you don’t have a PDF reader like Adobe Acrobat on your computer, you can also use tools like Sejda to extract images from a PDF online.
Upload your PDF file and select Extract single images.
If there are a lot of images in the file, Sejda will save them together in a ZIP file. Download the ZIP file and unzip the file to save the photos. If the file only has a few pictures, you can also Sejda to first edit and crop them before downloading the images.
How to remove images from a PDF using the Snipping Tool
If you don’t want entire images from a PDF, the easiest way to get them without requiring additional editing is to use the Windows Snipping Tool. Use the Windows search tool and type Snipping Tool.
Select Rectangle mode from the Snipping modes dropdown. Then press the Windows logo key, Shift, and S simultaneously.
Select the image or the portion of the image you want to extract. Click on the confirmation pop-up to open the edit options. Click on Save (floppy disk icon at the top right corner) to save your extracted image.
Read more: How to create PDF files