Read new PDFs the same way and automate PDF extraction
After you extract tables from one PDF, Mammoth can read the next similar PDF with the same instructions and add its rows to the same datasets. Upload the new PDF to the Data Library and open it: Mammoth recognises it by its name. For a first extraction, see Extract tables from PDFs and images.
Add tables to datasets from an earlier PDF
When you save tables with the same columns as tables you read from an earlier PDF in this project, the save step says so (for example, "These look like the 3 tables you read from invoice_2026-09.pdf.") and offers:
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
| Add to your existing datasets | Adds each table to the dataset it matches. The list shows each table, its dataset and columns match, or columns changed for a table that becomes a new dataset |
| Make 3 new datasets | Creates new datasets, as for a first PDF |
When Mammoth can recognise later files by their name, it also offers, for example, Do this automatically for new invoice_… files: "Watches Invoices for new PDFs with names like this. A file that doesn't fit waits for you."
Read the next PDF the same way
When a new PDF looks like one you already read, its panel leads with that earlier read instead of Extract Data:
- Looks like invoice_2026-09.pdf, with "You read that one on Oct 2 with:" and your earlier instruction;
- "Read this one the same way and add its rows to:" and the target datasets, with their rows and columns;
- "Uses about 4 AI pages."
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
| Read it the same way | Reads the file with your saved instructions and adds its tables to the same datasets. Mammoth shows "Reading with your invoice_2026-09.pdf instructions…" ("Usually under a minute. You can close this panel.") |
| Read it differently | Opens Review data import, so you choose what to import yourself |
| Result | What happened |
|---|---|
| "Added invoice_2026-10.pdf to 3 datasets" | Every table went in |
| 2 of 3 added | Some tables fit. Each dataset shows Added, Not added, Columns changed or No recipe. "The ones that didn't fit are left on the file. Nothing was added to them." Click Review the file |
| Nothing matched | "None of its tables had the columns of the datasets made from invoice_2026-09.pdf. Pick its tables yourself." |
| Couldn't read it this time | "Nothing was added. Try again, or pick its tables yourself." Click Try again |
Automate extraction for new PDFs
After a PDF is read the same way, Mammoth may ask Next time, do this without asking?, for example "When a new PDF named like invoice_… lands in Invoices, read it the same way and add it to these 3 datasets." "If a file doesn't fit, it waits for you and you're told."
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
| Yes, do it automatically | Sets up a folder automation that watches the file's folder (or the project's top level) for PDFs whose names start the same way. Mammoth confirms "Done. New files like this will be read the same way." |
| Not now | Closes the offer. After two Not nows for the same kind of file, Mammoth stops asking |
The offer needs the Dataset Refresh feature on your plan. Mammoth doesn't offer it when files like this are already automated.
Related
- Extract tables from PDFs and images: the first extraction, limits and troubleshooting.
- Write instructions for PDF extraction: instructions worth reusing.
- Combine incoming data: folder automations for new files.
- Add or replace data in a dataset: add a new PDF to a dataset, replaying its recipe.
Something wrong? support@mammoth.io