Personal Books

I'm a former user of QuickVerse and WordSearch since 1995, and I had all my personal books in .pdf format stored inside the programs. When I switched to Logos 8, they only support .docx format for the books. I've tried converting the pdf books to put them into Logos, but always get multiple errors, the last time there were over 100. As such, Logos software does not accept the books. Does anyone have a workaround to have pdf books convert backwards into a .docx file? I'm currently using Office 365 Pro, and that's probably the latest software version for something like that.. Any thoughts would be appreciated..

Thanks, a confused new Logos user..

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Graham Criddle

Hi Dale - and welcome to the forums

Have you tried opening the PDF file in Microsoft Word and then saving it as a .docx file?

If it is straight text that should get you close - if there are tables or more involved formatting a different approach is probably going to be needed.

Graham

David Ames

I'm a former user of QuickVerse and WordSearch since 1995, and I had all my personal books in .pdf format stored inside the programs.

Thanks, a confused new Logos user..

Are they converting your pdf format personal books into Logos readable files?

Were they all searchable in WordSearch? [That is did all the pdf files have to have a text layer?]

To the best of your knowledge were the personal book that started as pdf files converted into "normal" WordSearch format files?

Was the pdf file the input that WordSearch used as source for the personal book?

Did you have to create the pdf file or just pull one off the internet?

Office 365 Pro does not do OCR as far as I know. It leaves sections that do not have a text layer as a graphic in the final docx file.

Some of us have been asking to use pdf files as input for some time. Somewhere in the package that they bought is the source code of getting pdf files into the system as resources. The WordSearch resources are convertible to Logos formats. Logos can no longer say that they do not know how to get pdf files into the system. Worst case: convert pdf to WordSource format then convert to Logos format.

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

Does anyone have a workaround to have pdf books convert backwards into a .docx file? I'm currently using Office 365 Pro, and that's probably the latest software version for something like that..

Welcome [:D]

Concur Office 365 Pro is one of the software options. LibreOffice is another. Also have used a PDF viewer (e.g. Preview on macOS) to copy text followed by paste into a document.

Logos Wiki Using the Forums includes Searching the forum using Google

site:community.logos.com pdf grainger

results include => "Importing" a PDF

Thread Logos 9 Wishlist includes reply by Bradley Grainger (Faithlife)

One main problem for PDF files is that some are just pictures of text. Yes, maybe they could be converted but only as page after page of pictures of text. And thus, not searchable

Even PDFs that have text (not just page scans) can be surprisingly difficult to extract text from. I highly recommend reading https://www.filingdb.com/pdf-text-extraction to give an overview of the problems that could be encountered.

Concur some textual PDF's can be quite challenging to convert (easier to read PDF on screen so can type into a new document).

Keep Smiling [:)]

Dale Earp

Update: Thanks for all the quick responses so far. I used Word to convert the pdf file to docx. The file looks fine, but will not import to Logos 8. The books are old books, such as Book of Jasper, various books of Enoch etc. that are in pdf format. I guess the only thing that I can do is wait for Logos to have that kind of capability to read or access pdf literature. Very few people I know of keeps any kind of document or book in .docx format; there is no security or formatting that will be guaranteed as a pdf file has. The books have lists, pictures, graphs etc. and I see why Logos can't handle it. But... in todays world that is needed more and used more across the world, to keep formatting correct with different devices, and also gives the capability for security. I think this whole issue is Logos not having a license for pdf files, but... they now have a license for a .docx file, which is Microsoft, and they now have ,pdf capability in their products. This may be the road they need to look down.. Just a thought from an old timer...

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1119312#Comment_1119312

I used Word to convert the pdf file to docx. The file looks fine, but will not import to Logos 8.

What error message(s) appear in the log file when docx is compiled using the Personal Books Tool ?

Logos wiki includes links:

Personal Books : LT Personal Books + VT Personal Books

FYI: one error cause is a paragraph with no text (work around is adding a space).

Keep Smiling [:)]

Bill Anderson

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1119312#Comment_1119312

Dale, another thing you can try is to attach a copy of one of your .docx files and we can try to build it in Logos to see what is going on.

Dale Earp

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1119331#Comment_1119331

Bill and everyone watching this. I apologize for not returning your answer sooner but I was all day watching "The Return" on the Internet. AWESOME, so many people so involved and happy to be serving and praising the Lord for the healing of America. We do need to wake up the citizens of America!

I've included one of the .docx files for your use and maybe see how to fashion a way to import it/them in Logos 8.

Wish you well and safe in GOD! 5488.The Book of Nahum.docx

David Ames

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1119527#Comment_1119527

Try One: Download file

Load as DUMMY000

256 errors: [Error] Document contains an unsupported VML image which will not appear in the final document. To use this embedded image, open the document in Word, select “Save As...”, and deselect the “Maintain compatibility with previous versions of Word” option. Then rebuild the book.

Save As done with COMPATIBILITY NOTCHECKED

NOW ONLY TWO ERRORs

Noted that all the text is all in lots of text boxes [Don't know if that is the problem but that is what I have seen - more latter]

David Ames

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1119647#Comment_1119647

Cut everything out of the file except the first line: A.S.K. (...)

And it still gives ERROR

[Info] Compiling

[Error] Error while building book: Error compiling resource.

Dale Earp

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1119654#Comment_1119654

Good morning! Just one word.. Wow.

It would be very time consuming to have to figure each book out like you are doing, we just need the simple fix of adding pdf support. It's a main file in so many items. In my business we turn nearly everything into a pdf file for stability across platforms, and to lessen customers from changing an item. Thanks for the try David!

David Ames

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1119654#Comment_1119654

Copied text on page one in the text boxes to a new file without text boxes. Did not copy the graphic nor the chart. Compiled that one page OK.

Hopefully some one with more knowledge on text boxes will reply.

WOW is what I do for fun. Can you post the pdf file? [and maybe we can see what we can do to that to not get text boxes] {{maybe!}}

Bill Anderson

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1119656#Comment_1119656

When I opened the .docx file originally I thought of the problem with all the text in text boxes. Some pdf converters will do this if the goal is for the converted .docx file to maintain graphical compatibility with the pdf. The converted .docx file is virtually impossible to work with.

For PBBs, it yields a better result to convert the pdf to text only and them reformat everything. That usually produces a cleaner PBB

Bradley Grainger (Logos)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1119312#Comment_1119312

I guess the only thing that I can do is wait for Logos to have that kind of capability to read or access pdf literature.

We have no plans to provide this: https://logos.uservoice.com/forums/42823-logos-bible-software-8/suggestions/1096505-pdf-docx-files

David Ames

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1119672#Comment_1119672

We have no plans to provide this:

That links states:

Personal Book Builder can convert docx files into Logos books. We will not be adding PDF import/conversion.

But look at the date of that reply: Nov 27, 2014

That is some time before Logos added some customers who are used to importing pdf files into their Bible software. Software that Logos now owns the source code for. Logos can no longer claim that it does not know how to input pdf files unless it fired all the programers from the company that Logos bought.

They can, however, still say that they do not want to.

And why would that be? Try reading:

https://community.logos.com/forums/p/126859/848584.aspx#848584

It appears that most of the users use personal books to input converted pdf files found on the internet. Public domain ‘stuff’ that Logos claims that it wants to import into Logos and then charge us for doing so. So Logos sees personal books as competing against themselves.

Then there are some of us that are importing pdf files that Logos will NEVER import as there are not enough Logos users to pay for their conversion as most of Logos customers are not interested in the books that we want.

Some pdf files convert OK using Word. For others I use a OCR program. [Optical Character Recognition Software that converts the pictures of letters / words into editable text Its is not perfect. The one I use too often converts John 3:16 to Johri 3: 16]

Dale Earp

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1119679#Comment_1119679

I thank everyone for their replies. It appears Faithlife has no desire to add pdf support. In Wordsearch, we inserted more than pdf files, we inserted jpg and other files because a person doing serious studies likes as much as possible to have their material in one place. It's not about not buying off Logos or whoever, it's about the software your using flowing in one spot for your needs; easy access. Logos should join the future with this; even Wordsearch realized the necessity. I will pray about it..

Thank you everyone..

Bradley Grainger (Logos)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1119687#Comment_1119687

a person doing serious studies likes as much as possible to have their material in one place

I understand that a PDF browser is different from supporting PDF import into PBB. That's a slightly different suggestion, although it's currently closed as a duplicate: https://logos.uservoice.com/forums/42823-logos-bible-software-8/suggestions/31520608-read-pdf-books-in-logos

We asking our new customers what their favourite Wordsearch features are, and we do take customer feedback into account when updating our roadmaps for the future: https://community.logos.com/forums/t/193813.aspx

David Ames

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1119694#Comment_1119694

We asking our new customers what their favourite Wordsearch features are, and we do take customer feedback into account when updating our roadmaps for the future: https://community.logos.com/forums/t/193813.aspx

Dale: There is hope yet!

Dale Earp

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1119703#Comment_1119703

David, I live my life based upon the truly great hope, the love of my life, my redeemer. I put everything into his hands and praise him before the answer comes. That gives you real life.

Thanks for your reply...

David Ames

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1119527#Comment_1119527

I've included one of the .docx files for your use and maybe see how to fashion a way to import it/them in Logos 8.

Maybe if you allowed us to have the PDF file we could try some of the ways we convert a pdf to docx and see if we don't end up with text boxes. [Maybe]

Dale Earp

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1120999#Comment_1120999

7455.Nahum.pdf

David,

Good day, Sure, there you are! Have a GREAT week!

Dale

David Ames

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1120999#Comment_1120999

Please forget giving us the PDF file.

I opened the file you gave us in word. (docx file)

I saved the file as a pdf file

I opened that pdf file in word

I saved the file opened in word to a PBB .docx file [Just a normal DOCX file but one that I plan to use as a PBB

Got to the Personal Book Builder tool

Opened Dummy000 where I had put the prior run

deleted the old file

added the file you gave us that I have saved as a PDF that I opened in word that I saved as somethingPPB.docx

Built the book - Looks OK

The central theme of the Book of Nahum is the overthrow of the greatest capital city of the ancient Gentile world in the 7^thcentury BC. That capital [from the last docx file somethingPPB.docx ]

central theme of the Book of Nahum is the overthrow of the greatest capital city of the ancient Gentile world in the 7th century BC. That capital was Nineveh. Though

dummy 000. (n.d.). From Logos with dummy 000 open now holding your book

Again: Load your PDF into word, save that to a file.pdf, open that second.pdf file in word, save as a PPBfile.docx, compile as a PBB in Logos.

David Ames

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1121251#Comment_1121251

Ok so you sent us the PDF file - Thanks I downloaded it.

I opened it in word and tried to change a letter to the same letter. Word asked if I wanted to edit the file - I replied yes. I change one letter just to see that I could. I saved the file as a DOCX file. Opened Logos, open Personal book tool. Opened DUMMY000. Deleted the last file and input the DOCX file that I had changed one letter to the same letter. Compiled and it ran OK. [[I do not know if I have settings in Word that allow me to do this]]

Dale Earp

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1121286#Comment_1121286

David,

Thanks for the feedback. I tried what you did and I think changing one letter forced Word to rewrite the file. I'm running the latest version of Word Professional. I opened the pdf file, it automatically opened it as a docx file. I changed one letter and saved it as a docx. I then put it into Logos, and there were 2 errors, and 22 warnings. The 2 errors were 2 fonts apparently Logos can't handle; one was Garamond. The other 22 warnings appeared Logos can't handle "Justified Text"; which is quite common in todays world. After looking through the document quickly, it appears to be "usable". I'll try some of the other pdfs, and see what happens

Thanks!!

Dale Earp

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1121286#Comment_1121286

David,

Here is another one I'm putting in now, thought you might be interested..7658.Book of Jasher.pdf.docx

cshover8669

Dear all, Just a reminder. Any .pdf files that you want access to from Logos can be stored in your favorites. it opens your browser or file directly from logos desktop. You cannot edit or search it in Logos, but at least you have a link to it in your tool. Not perfect, but at least you still have everything stored in one place for your current study. You can also drag jpegs, etc. there as well. As far as I know you can put just about anything in your favorites you would like.

Just my two cents, trying to help. I am on my work computer. If anyone wants me to do a screen print, let me know and I will do it this evening after work.

Thanks, Carla

Dale Earp

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1121847#Comment_1121847

Karla,

Am new to Logos, your idea sounds great, didn't know about it. I will go through the program to see where it is.

Thanks,

Dale

Dale Earp

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1121843#Comment_1121843

David,

Just a why? I converted this to docx, uploaded it to Logos personal books, It will only open on page two... weird.. I've included the pdf for you to see page one etc.

Dale1373.Book of Jasher.pdf

Dale Earp

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1121847#Comment_1121847

Carla, [^o)]

Set up the favorites, but a Hugh disadvantage are they only work at the main system you are using. Traveling, using a tablet or laptop they are no longer available. Just a thought...

Dale

cshover8669

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1121868#Comment_1121868

Thanks for the info. i tend to use Logos mostly on my desktop. if I use it on my phone or tablet, I am usually just looking for an audio Bible to listen to or looking up a verse real quick. If I am on my phone, I am usually using Tecarta Bible to follow along in Church and Bible Study.

Thanks for the info.

David Ames

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1121859#Comment_1121859

Just a why? I converted this to docx, uploaded it to Logos personal books, It will only open on page two... weird..

First pass [failed]

Page one is full of text boxes. Page 1 and 2 are "dark" and pages 3 and up are "light"

Will do some more on the file latter. Busy on another project but did find a couple of minutes. Will get back to you.

Graham Criddle

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1121868#Comment_1121868

Hi Dale

Set up the favorites, but a Hugh disadvantage are they only work at the main system you are using. Traveling, using a tablet or laptop they are no longer available.

I think you are saying that Favorites are not being synchronised between different systems. Is that the case?

If so, that is strange as they should sync across them.

David Ames

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1122008#Comment_1122008

Just a why? I converted this to docx, uploaded it to Logos personal books, It will only open on page two... weird..

First pass [failed]

Page one seems to be a picture of the text. Try this for page 1 & 2 - will need some formatting to match rest of file [[[OCR output]]]

8640.1373.Book of Jasher dd.docx

Josh Hunt

One issue i had with converting books had to do with fonts. I discovered if I used an adobe font, for example, it nearly always caused the system to crash. Using a mainstream font solved the problem for me.

Michael Lawrence

Hi,

The absolutely finest PDF-to-Word converter I've found is the ABBYY FineReader OCR Pro.

It easily works with multiple languages in the same document. ('i've run it through a document which contained English, Spanish, Greek, and Hebrew). It maintains the same pages and page numbers (important if you need to footnote or document part of the work). It maintains formatting of tables and other graphics. And most importantly, there are very few spelling errors to correct.

Dale Earp

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1123638#Comment_1123638

Michael,

Good afternoon! I have always used Acrobat Pro but with your recommend I downloaded a trial of ABBYY FineReader 15 commercial. It took a while for me to figure out the equivalent of what you call "Pro", then realized you are using an Apple, where I'm on the Microsoft side right now. You are correct, it's fast and pretty accurate. I've noticed a few minor mistakes, but nowhere near what the Acrobat had. I think I will purchase. Thank you for the heads up!

Dale Earp

David Ames

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1124054#Comment_1124054

What is the best OCR software? Extract Text from Images and PDFs with Best OCR Software [ https://beebom.com/best-ocr-software/ ]

ABBYY FineReader. When it comes to Optical Character Recognition, there is hardly anything that comes even close to ABBYY FineReader. ...
Price: Paid versions start from $199, 30 days free trial available
if you want the absolute best OCR software

Tesseract. ...
Price: Free
have to use the OCR engine on the command line

OmniPage Ultimate by Kofax. ...
Price: Free Trial for 15 days, Paid version at $183
OmniPage Ultimate seems a solid OCR solution

Readiris. ...
Price: Paid versions start from $49, 10 days free trial available
powerful OCR software

Adobe Acrobat Pro DC. ...
Price: Free Trial for 7 days, Paid version starts at $12.99/month
Adobe Acrobat is a far more capable OCR software.

Microsoft OneNote. ...
Price: Free
text extraction capabilities are quite limited

Amazon Textract. ...
Price: Free for the first 3 months, Premium plan starts at $1.50 per 1000 pages
seems a pretty powerful OCR software

Google Docs.
Price: Free
free and simple OCR tool

Review from: https://beebom.com/best-ocr-software/

I use Readiris but have not used the others so I can not comment as to what is best but this list put in place 4. Link to the reviews above. [[A free copy came with a printer and I have just stayed with it over time.]] [Some posts back is a pdf file and then an OCR rendering of the first two pages]

OCR makes mistakes. But then if you typed it all in yourself you would make mistakes.

[some errors: seen as] e => c does not see bar. rn => m does not see that it is two letters. 1 <=> l. John 3:16 => John 3 : 16 Extra spaces. Not all the time but sometimes. Perhaps someone that has more experience than I do can post a list of common OCR errors [or link to information]

Dale Earp

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1124111#Comment_1124111

David,

Good Morning! See my post/answer to Michael above. I'm trying out Abbyy Finereader 15 commercial; so far it seems very good. Will give an update when I purchase it..

Thanks,

Dale

Dale Earp

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/1123638#Comment_1123638

Michael,

Good Morning! You seem very familiar with Finereader. Is there anyway when you open the program it opens with the "hand" as the mouse pointer? I miss that feature in Acrobat, and every document I open I use the hand for moving the page around.. Silly need, but still useful when the page is/or needs to move around to be able to use other documents on the page.

Thanks,

Dale