Extract text from images with Nutrient Document Web Services API on Zapier
In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to automatically extract text from images using the Nutrient Document Web Services API on Zapier. This flow is ideal for pulling text from scans, photos, screenshots, or receipts into a machine-readable format like JSON.
What is Zapier?
Zapier is a no-code automation platform that connects your favorite apps. With simple triggers and actions, you can automate document workflows between Google Drive, Gmail, Slack, and more.
In this guide, you’ll extract text from an image stored in Google Drive and save the results as a structured JSON file.
What is the Nutrient API?
Nutrient Document Web Services API is a versatile platform for document automation. With a free account, you’ll get 100 credits to run actions like:
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OCR, redaction, annotation, and watermarking
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Conversion between PDF, Office, image, and HTML files
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Structured data extraction and PDF form creation
OCR functionality uses machine learning and adaptive layout understanding to identify both plain and structured text.
What you’ll need
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A Zapier account (a pro plan is necessary for multi-step Zaps)
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A Google Drive account
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An image file (JPG, PNG, TIFF, etc.) stored in a Google Drive folder
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A Nutrient API key — sign up here
Step 1 — Trigger a new file in a Google Drive folder
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Select Google Drive as the trigger app.
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Choose the New File in Folder event.
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Connect your Google Drive account.
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Configure the trigger:
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In the Drive field, select your Google Drive.
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Choose or create a folder where image files will be uploaded (e.g.
image-to-text).
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Test with a sample image file. You can use our sample file.
Step 2 — Extract text from image (Nutrient API)
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Select Nutrient Document Web Services API as the action app.
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Choose the Extract Text From Image action.
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Connect your Nutrient API account by pasting your API key.
You can find your key in the Nutrient dashboard.
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Fill out the fields:
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Image File — Use the file from step 1.
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Output File Name — Optional (e.g.
receipt-text.json).
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The file must be accessible via a public URL or direct download link (Zapier will handle this if sourced from Google Drive).
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Test the action to confirm text is extracted.
Step 3 — Upload the extracted text to Google Drive
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Add Google Drive as the app. Select Upload File as the action.
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Choose your drive and output folder. In the File field, map the extracted
.jsonfile from the previous step.
Zapier may warn you about a potential Zap loop if you use the same folder for the input and the output. You can avoid this by uploading the updated file to a different folder.
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Test the step to ensure the file uploads correctly.
Conclusion
You’ve now created an automated Zap that extracts text from image files and stores it as structured JSON using Nutrient API. This flow is perfect for automating invoice scanning, form extraction, or text recognition across any batch of image files.
Want to go further? Chain this Zap with form creation, text extraction, or PDF-to-Excel conversion.
Hulya is a frontend web developer and technical writer at Nutrient who enjoys creating responsive, scalable, and maintainable web experiences. She’s passionate about open source, web accessibility, cybersecurity privacy, and blockchain.
