# Working with Parsers Source: https://www.digiparser.com/docs/guides/working-with-parsers # Working with Parsers Learn how to create parsers and configure fields to extract data from your documents Copy MarkdownOpen # [Working with Parsers](#working-with-parsers) Feedback A **parser** is a setup that tells DigiParser what type of documents to process and what information to extract. You create a parser once, then reuse it for all similar documents. This page covers the basics; see [Creating Parsers](/docs/guides/parsers/creating-parsers) for the full setup process. Feedback If your team uploads several document types together, use parsers for extraction and a [Document Classifier](/docs/guides/document-classifiers) to sort files before extraction. ## [What is a parser?](#what-is-a-parser) Feedback A parser defines: Feedback * **Document type** - e.g. Invoice, Purchase order, Bank statement, Custom. * **Fields** - The individual pieces of data to extract (e.g. "Invoice Number", "Total Amount", "Vendor Name"). * **Tables** (optional) - For repeating rows like invoice line items. Feedback Think of it as a **template**: you configure it once, then every document you add is processed the same way. ## [Creating a new parser](#creating-a-new-parser) Feedback 1. Open your **team** and click **Create Document Parser** in the sidebar, or go to **Parsers** and click **Add Parser**. 2. In the setup flow: * **Parser Name**: Give it a name (e.g. "My Invoices", "Client Receipts"). * **Document Processing Type**: Choose the type that matches your documents (Invoice, Purchase order, Bank statement, Custom, etc.). You can search the list. 3. Continue to **What to extract** and review the suggested fields and tables. 4. Complete **Start free trial** if that step is shown. Feedback 5. Upload a document or use a sample. When processing finishes, you'll land in the **Document Inbox** for that parser. app.digiparser.com![Create your document parser step](https://documents.digiparser.com/docs/screenshots/2026-07-23/create-document-parser-invoice.png?sig=f3ea2ab08a894487127be278f8f4f8f61431288d47e5aa006eb6ef708369d873) Feedback For detailed steps, see [Creating Parsers](/docs/guides/parsers/creating-parsers) and [Choosing Document Type](/docs/guides/choosing-document-type). ## [Adding and editing fields](#adding-and-editing-fields) Feedback **Fields** are the bits of information you want from each document. Feedback 1. Open your parser and go to **Settings -> Fields & Tables** (or **Fields & Tables** in the parser sidebar). 2. Click **Add new field or table**, then: * **Name**: e.g. "Invoice Number", "Total Amount", "Vendor Name". * **Type**: Plain text, Number, Boolean, Date, Multiple Choice, List, or **Table** (for repeating rows). * Optionally add a description or **disable AI extraction** (and fill it yourself or via Post Processing). 3. Click **Save Fields**. New documents use the updated fields. Use **Re-process document** on existing ones if you want them to match. app.digiparser.com![Fields & Tables with Add new field or table and field list](https://documents.digiparser.com/docs/screenshots/2026-07-23/fields-and-tables-invoice-schema.png?sig=270e4a2eb33805a857cb9a0b464a0e8052eb19822cea58bc38fcac4519ac0733) ### [Field types](#field-types) Feedback * **Plain text** - Names, addresses, descriptions, IDs, emails, phone numbers, URLs. * **Number** - Amounts, quantities, totals, prices. * **Date** - Invoice date, due date, etc. * **Boolean** - True/false values. * **Multiple Choice** - One value from a list of choices you provide. * **List** - Multiple values of the same kind. * **Table** - Rows and columns (e.g. line items). Use **Add table column** to define columns. Feedback Use **clear names** that match your documents (e.g. "Vendor Name" instead of "Field 1"). ## [Using tables for repeating data](#using-tables-for-repeating-data) Feedback For **repeating rows** (e.g. invoice line items): Feedback 1. In **Fields & Tables**, click **Add new field or table**, set the type to **Table**, and name it (e.g. "Line Items"). 2. Click **Add table column** to add columns (Description, Quantity, Unit Price, Total, etc.) with names and types. 3. You can reorder fields and columns by dragging. Tables have one level of columns; tables inside other tables are not supported. Feedback [Set Up Tables](/docs/guides/fields-and-tables/working-with-tables/setting-up-tables) has more detail. ## [Tips for better extraction](#tips-for-better-extraction) Feedback * **Match document type** - Use the Document Processing Type that fits your documents. * **Use classifiers for mixed batches** - Keep one parser per document type, then let a classifier route mixed uploads to those parsers. * **Use clear field names** - e.g. "Invoice Number", "Vendor Name". * **Group related fields** - e.g. invoice info, vendor info, amounts. * **Good document quality** - Clear, readable scans or PDFs improve results. ## [Common issues](#common-issues) Feedback * **Fields not extracting** - Check names and types; try **Custom** vs a specific type; review **confidence** (if enabled) and fix low-confidence values. * **Tables wrong or missing** - Check table and column names; ensure the document has clear structure; improve scan quality. * **Missing data** - Improve document quality; check that the info is visible; use a parser per document "type" when formats differ. ## [Next steps](#next-steps) Feedback * [Uploading Documents](/docs/guides/document-processing/uploading-documents) - Upload and process documents * [Document Classifiers](/docs/guides/document-classifiers) - Route mixed document batches * [Integrations](/docs/guides/integrations/overview) - Export to Google Sheets, email, Zapier, and more * [Post Processing](/docs/guides/post-processing/overview) - Clean and transform data before export How is this guide? GoodBad [ Split a PDF During Upload Turn one combined PDF into separate documents while uploading it ](/docs/guides/how-to-split-documents)[ Choosing a Document Type Pick the best document processing type when you create a parser ](/docs/guides/choosing-document-type)