Converts a PDF file to text:
pdftotext.exe input.pdf output.txt
Before diving into the specifics of version 4.04, it is crucial to understand the software's lineage. Xpdf is an open-source viewer and toolset for Portable Document Format (PDF) files. Originally developed by Derek Noonburg for Unix-like operating systems, it has been ported to Windows over the years. Unlike Adobe Acrobat or Foxit Reader, Xpdf is not primarily a GUI application. Instead, its core strength lies in its collection of command-line tools that allow users to extract text, convert PDFs to images, and introspect document metadata without ever opening a window.
Unlike the standard Xpdf viewer (which provides a GUI), Xpdf Tools is a collection of command-line utilities. These are designed to be scripted, automated, and integrated into server workflows. Version 4.04 is a maintenance release focused on stability, parsing accuracy, and Windows compatibility. xpdf-tools-win-4.04
The suite includes eight core executables:
| Tool | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| pdfinfo | Extract document metadata (author, title, page count, etc.) |
| pdftotext | Convert PDF content to plain text |
| pdftopng | Render PDF pages to PNG images |
| pdftoppm | Convert PDF pages to PPM/PPM/PGM image formats |
| pdfimages | Extract all embedded images from a PDF |
| pdffonts | List fonts used inside the document |
| pdfdetach | Extract embedded file attachments |
| pdftohtml | Convert PDF to HTML (retaining basic layout) | Converts a PDF file to text:
pdftotext
This is the most significant distinction between the open-source Xpdf project and XpdfTools.
Extracts embedded file attachments from a PDF (e.g., spreadsheets or Word docs hidden within the PDF structure). Before diving into the specifics of version 4
When you download xpdf-tools-win-4.04, you are not getting a single program. You are getting a Swiss Army knife of PDF tools. Here are the key executables included in the bin64 or bin32 folder:
Lists fonts in a PDF:
pdffonts.exe input.pdf