A PDF parser, or PDF scraper, is software designed to extract various data elements such as text, tables, images, and data fields from PDF documents, which inherently lack structure and hierarchy, making them more challenging to parse compared to XML files or websites. These parsers utilize advanced algorithms to automate the traditionally manual and inefficient process of data extraction, which is crucial in business processes that involve digitizing scanned documents. PDF parsers are extensively used in document management and business process automation workflows like invoice processing, expense management, and KYC due diligence, as they reduce or eliminate the need for manual data entry. Popular tools that facilitate PDF parsing include Smalot/PdfParser, pdf-parse, Ikkuna/pdf2json, and adrienjoly/npm-pdfreader, while business process automation software like Nanonets offers integrated PDF parsing capabilities to streamline workflows.