Imagine you have a bunch of receipts, invoices, or any other documents, and you need to pull out specific pieces of information from them, like dates, totals, or names. Doing this manually can be time-consuming and prone to errors. This is where the new GetLiveTextAsJSON function in FileMaker 2024 comes in handy. 

Learn how you can use this new feature with an image of a mock restaurant receipt uploaded to a container field. You’ll see how GetLiveText extracts the text, but the results do not display in a logical order. Then you see how using GetLiveTextAsJSON lets you get specific data from the receipt. 

Below is a recap of the details discussed in the video.

Introducing GetLiveTextAsJSON

GetLiveText is a function in FileMaker that allows you to extract text from an image using machine learning. The latest iteration of this feature, GetLiveTextAsJSON, not only extracts text but also returns it as JSON, complete with X and Y coordinates indicating where the text appears on the image. This enhancement is particularly useful for interpreting and reconstructing text from specific areas of an image.

Working with GetLiveText and GetLiveTextAsJSON

In our demo, we’ll use an image of a mock restaurant receipt that is uploaded to a container field and compare the functionality of the two functions, GetLiveText and GetLiveTextAsJSON. You’ll see how GetLiveText simply extracts the text, while GetLiveTextAsJSON provides detailed JSON data including the text’s coordinates.

Keep in mind that for these functions to work, the image must be in JPEG, HEIC, or PNG format—not a PDF. Additionally, the feature is currently supported on Macintosh systems and works with FileMaker Pro 2024 and FileMaker Go on iPhones and iPads.

Practical Applications for GetLiveTextAsJSON

By extracting text with coordinates, developers can accurately identify and utilize text based on its position within the image. This capability is demonstrated by using AI tools like ChatGPT to interpret and manipulate the extracted data more effectively.

For instance, identifying text in our sample receipt becomes straightforward with JSON data. This location awareness enables precise data extraction, which can be applied to various tasks, such as identifying specific fields on invoices or documents.

The GetLiveTextAsJSON function in FileMaker opens up new possibilities for text extraction and data interpretation. While there are specialized APIs for tasks like receipt extraction, this built-in function offers flexibility for unique applications specific to your organization.

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