Description:

This step splits a PDF document into individual pages or specified page ranges.

The Split PDF File by Pages workflow step reads a PDF document, extracts the specified pages, and generates separate output files in the selected output format. The generated file paths are stored in a FlowWright Variable or Global Variable for use by subsequent workflow steps.

Depending on the selected Output File Type, the extracted pages can be generated as individual PDF documents or image files (such as PNG). When generating PNG images, an optional Scale Factor can be specified to control the output image resolution.

This step provides an efficient way to automate workflows for document separation, page extraction, archival, OCR preprocessing, document distribution, and intelligent document processing.

The step supports:

• Splitting PDF documents into separate pages
• Processing selected page ranges
• Processing non-sequential page selections
• PDF page extraction
• PNG image generation
• Configurable image scaling
• Storage of generated output file paths
• Integration with FlowWright workflow automation

This step can be used for:

• Document separation
• OCR preprocessing
• Invoice extraction
• Page archiving
• Document distribution
• Image generation
• Business process automation

Usage:

The Split PDF File by Pages step is typically placed before OCR, document classification, document routing, archival, or content extraction activities that require processing individual pages separately.

The workflow opens the specified PDF document, extracts the requested pages, generates the selected output files, stores the generated file paths, and makes them available for downstream workflow steps.

A typical workflow might look like this:

Once the pages have been extracted, later workflow steps can:

• Perform OCR
• Analyze individual pages
• Classify documents
• Archive page images
• Upload pages to the DMS
• Generate reports
• Continue workflow execution

The source PDF document must already exist before this step is executed.

Example:

Let’s build and execute the “PDFSplitpagesDef” example.          

• Create a new process definition named “PDFSplitpagesDef” and open it in Designer mode. 
• Drag a “PDFSplitpages” step to the canvas.
• Connect the dots between the “Start” step and the “PDFSplitpages” step, as shown above.
• Define a variable or a global to store the result.
• Click the "PDFSplitpages" step to configure its "Required" properties. Provide a name for the step. Provide the path to the source PDF file. Provide the variable or global reference to store the output file path. Select the output file type (PDF or PNG). Click the Save button. Note: Click the "AI Predict" button for the Copilot to add new process steps that match your process description. 

• Click the "PDFSplitpages" step to configure its "Optional" properties. Enter the scale factor for PNG output. Enter the page range value. Click the Save button. Note: The scaling option is specified as a numeric value. The input PNG always has a value of 1, which equals its original size. To make the image twice as large, set the scale to 2.

• The “Logging” configuration is necessary for documentation and also measures workflow progress and percent complete. This is achieved by configuring the step state and percent fields individually, as shown in the images below. Configure the “Logging” using the following properties.

• Save the Process Definition. Create a new Process Instance and execute it. When the workflow reaches the Split PDF File by Pages step, FlowWright reads the specified PDF document, extracts the requested pages, generates individual output files in the selected format, and stores the paths to the generated files in the configured Variable or Global Variable. If the operation completes successfully, the workflow follows the True return path. If the PDF document cannot be found, the page range is invalid, the output files cannot be generated, or an internal processing error occurs, the workflow follows the False return path. Click the process step to view its properties. The step should successfully generate the output files, populate the configured Variable or Global Variable with the generated file paths, and return True upon completion.

Tips:

• Leave the Page Range blank to process all pages in the PDF.
• Use page ranges such as 1-10 or comma-separated page numbers such as 2,5,8 to process only selected pages.
• Increase the Scale Factor when generating PNG images that will be used for OCR or image analysis.
• Store the generated file paths in a Global Variable when multiple workflow steps require access to the extracted files.
• Use PDF output when preserving document fidelity is important, and PNG output when OCR or image processing is required.
• Verify that the FlowWright server has permission to read the source PDF and create output files.
• Use the True and False return paths to implement appropriate success and exception handling.
• Combine this step with Remove Blank Pages, PDF Validate Signature, Azure OpenAI Chat Completion, OCR, DMS Create Document, Archive Document, or Send Email workflow steps to automate intelligent document processing workflows.

Notes:

• The source file must be a valid PDF document.
• If no Page Range is specified, all pages are extracted.
• Page ranges support both sequential ranges and comma-separated page selections.
• When PNG is selected as the output type, the Scale Factor controls the generated image resolution.
• The generated output file paths are stored in the configured Variable or Global Variable.
• Invalid PDF files, invalid page ranges, unsupported output formats, insufficient file permissions, or output generation failures may cause the step to return False.
• This step creates new output files and does not modify the original PDF document.
• The workflow should include appropriate handling for both True and False return paths.

Definition Sample:

You may download the sample definition(s) from the link provided and later import them (drag-and-drop) into your FlowWright Process Definition page.

Note: Verify and complete any missing configuration after importing the sample, including:

• PDF file path
• Output file type
• Page range
• PNG scale factor (if applicable)
• Variable or Global Variable mapping
• File system permissions
• Environment-specific settings

After verifying the configuration, save the Process Definition before execution.

Click here to download the sample file.