RapidLayoutRecover: Convert Images to Editable Text

Transform document images into editable Word or TXT files with RapidLayoutRecover. Restore complete layouts effortlessly.

3 min readSep 6, 2024

RapidLayoutRecover is a layout restoration tool for document images. This project aims to restore document images to an editable format (such as Word or TXT file) containing complete layout information by integrating the results of layout analysis, text recognition (OCR), table recognition and formula recognition.

That is, converting document images (such as scanned book pages, PDF pages, etc.) into editable text formats, such as Word or TXT files, while retaining the layout in the image.

RapidLayoutRecover can automatically identify text, tables, formulas and other contents in images, and help users convert these images into formats that can be further edited and processed. This way, users do not have to manually enter or rebuild the contents in the document, greatly saving time and energy.

Process scanned document images to turn them into editable text.
Automatically recognize complex layout structures, such as tables, formulas, etc.
Output is editable Word or text file for further modification or use.

Key Features of RapidLayoutRecover

Layout restoration

The main function of RapidLayoutRecover is to completely restore the content of document images, including text, tables, formulas, etc. to the original layout structure. The output result not only retains the content of the original image, but also retains the layout information, such as text position, paragraph format, etc.

Optical Character Recognition (OCR)

The tool integrates OCR technology to extract text information from images. Whether it is a printed document or a handwritten document, RapidLayoutRecover can automatically recognize and extract the text and convert it into an editable text format.

Table recognition

For documents containing tables, the tool can identify the table structure and restore it to an editable Word document, preserving the table’s row and column layout and content.

Formula recognition

In addition to text and tables, the tool also has the ability to recognize complex mathematical formulas. It can convert formulas in images into text form while retaining the structure and symbols of the formula.

Editable document output

The recognized content can be saved in different output formats, such as WordTXT or files, enabling users to further edit, modify or process the recognized documents.

Technical Principles of RapidLayoutRecover

Layout Analysis

Layout analysis is one of the basic technologies of the project. It can automatically detect different areas in the document, such as title, text, table, picture, etc. according to the layout structure of the document image. Through this analysis, the tool can correctly segment and restore the layout structure of the document to ensure the correct arrangement of text and graphics.

Optical Character Recognition (OCR)

OCR technology is used to recognize text in document images. RapidLayoutRecover can convert the text content in scanned document images into editable text by integrating the OCR module. This process includes the detection, classification and recognition of characters, and supports multiple languages.

Table Detection and Recognition

The table recognition module is responsible for detecting the table area in the document and parsing and restoring the cells in the table. This recognition technology ensures that the row and column structure and content format of the table are preserved when it is converted into an editable document, which facilitates further editing and calculation.

Math Formula Recognition

The formula recognition module is based on the detection of mathematical symbols in images and is able to convert complex mathematical formulas into editable formats while retaining the original structure of the formula. This technology is particularly suitable for processing documents containing a large number of formulas, such as scientific literature and academic papers.

Python implementation and module integration

The tool is written in Python and combines multiple open source OCR, layout analysis, table and formula recognition modules. Through the integration of these technical modules, RapidLayoutRecover can provide powerful document image analysis and conversion capabilities.

GitHub: https://github.com/RapidAI/RapidLayoutRecover