How to Create a Parser

This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a parser in Docparser.

1. Log in and Access Your Dashboard

1. Go to app.docparser.com and log in.

2. From the dashboard, click “Create Document Parser”.
   
   
    

2. Choose a Document Type

When you create a new parser, you’ll be asked to pick a Template. You can select one of our pre-made templates or start from scratch using a Blank Template.

Here are a few examples of the categories offered:

• Invoices & Accounts Payable

• Bank Statements

• Purchase and Sales Orders

• Shipping & Delivery Orders

• Blank Template

• AI Enhanced

👉 Tip: Our generic templates only provide suggested parsing rules — you can always add, edit, or remove rules later.

3. Name Your Parser

Give your parser a descriptive name (e.g., “Chase Statements – 2025”).


 

4. Upload Sample Documents

1. You will be directed to the Upload Documents tab

2. Drag-and-drop, or click to search and add one or more sample documents

3. Click continue
   
   
   
    

💡 Best Practice: Use several sample documents that represent the variations you expect (e.g., multiple pages, variety of line items or table rows). This makes building parsing rules more accurate.
 

5. Create Parsing Rules

Parsing rules tell Docparser which data to capture from your documents.

1. Open one of your uploaded documents.

2. Click “Add Parsing Rule”.

3. Choose a rule type:

• Fixed Position / Zonal OCR – when the data is always in the same location.

• Variable Text – for extracting values that follow can change locations based on anchor keywords.

• Table Extraction – for line items, statements, etc.

• There are many other rule types for extracting different types of data, choose the one that suits the data type best)
  
  

1. Add filters within the rule to isolate and extract the data you want to capture.

2. Save the rule.

3. Repeat for each data point you need (e.g., invoice number, date, total, line items).

4. On the last rule select the button for "Prepare for Export" to requeue the uploaded documents 

👉 Tip: You can preview the extracted data at the bottom of the screen as you adjust your rules.
 

6. Test Your Parser

1. Go back to the “Documents” view.

2. Select one or more test documents.

3. Click “Perform Action > Move to Parse Queue” to apply your rules.

4. Review the parsed data to ensure it’s accurate.
   
   

👉 Tip: If something looks off:

1. Edit your parsing rules.

2. Requeue for parsing again until the results are correct
    

7. Set Up an Import Source (Optional)

To automate document intake, connect an import source:

• Email Forward: Forward PDFs to a unique parser email address.

• Cloud Storage: Connect Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, etc.

• API or Zapier/Make Integration: For custom workflows.

Go to “Imports > Integration/Email” to configure your preferred method.

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8. Export Your Data

Once your documents are parsed correctly, you can export the extracted data.

• Download as CSV / Excel / JSON from the dashboard.

• Send to Spreadsheet Apps (e.g., Google Sheets, Excel) via integrations.

• Use the API or Webhooks for programmatic access.

• Go to "Exports > Integration/Downloads" to configure your preferred method
  
  
   

9. Maintain and Optimize Your Parser

• Update or add new rules if your document layouts change.

• Regularly review parsing results for accuracy.

• Clone parsers to handle new document types while preserving existing setups.
   

You’ve now created a parser, uploaded sample documents, built parsing rules, tested them, and set up your preferred import and export options!