Auto-Tagging PDFs with PDFix Desktop

Making PDFs accessible doesn’t have to be complicated. PDFix Desktop provides a user-friendly interface to auto-tag documents, giving non-developers the ability to improve accessibility in just a few clicks. This article introduces the main auto-tagging methods available in PDFix Desktop. You’ll find tutorials with screenshots, videos, and references to the user guide. By the end, you’ll know how to transform your PDFs into accessible, standards-compliant documents — without writing code.

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We selected one of our test files for this demonstration.
You can find it on our GitHub under the repository Weekly_Market_Commentary.

Four Smart Auto-Tagging Methods in PDFix Desktop

1. Basic Auto-Tagging without Layout Template – Fast Results, No Setup

Use case: Perfect when you need fast results
How it works: Desktop automatically identifies paragraphs, lists, images and tables → Review
Pros: Fast, no setup
Cons: May require manual corrections

2. Auto-Tagging with Preflight – Auto-Generated Layout Template

Use case: Enhance results by auto-detecting headings, headers, and footers
How it works: Preflight analyzes the PDF and generates a template → Apply template → Review
Pros: Better structure, improved accessibility quality
Cons: Still not as precise as custom templates

3. Auto-Tagging with an AI-Generated Layout Template

External AI actions require additional setup. If you want to integrate them into your workflow, please follow the instructions below.

☁️ How to Get Started with Amazon Textract

🐳 Don’t Forget to Install Docker Desktop First!

Use case: Complex layouts or specialized document types
How it works: Extenal AI layout recognition models generates template → Apply template → Review
Pros: Flexible, adaptive
Cons: Requires AI pipeline

4. Auto-Tagging with a Pre-Defined Layout Template

For documents with recurring layouts, like invoices, bank statements or reports, a template guarantees consistency.

Download Weekly Market Commentary Template

Use case: High-volume, repetitive layouts
How it works: Manualy generate template in JSON → Import template → Apply template
Pros: Predictable, consistent results
Cons: Requires upfront template setup.

Batch Auto-Tagging – Scale Accessibility Across Documents

Auto-tagging is just the start. To reach full accessibility compliance, you should:

Run the built-in accessibility checker and fix reported issues
Check and adjust reading order and other accessibility human cheks

Summary – Smarter Auto-Tagging for Accessible PDFs

With PDFix Desktop, you can:

Quickly auto-tag mixed PDFs
Use templates for consistent layouts
Apply AI-driven templates for smarter tagging

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does auto-tagging a PDF mean?

Auto-tagging adds invisible structure tags to your PDF (like headings, lists, tables, and images) so that assistive technologies – such as screen readers – can interpret and navigate the content correctly. PDFix Desktop automates this process, saving hours of manual tagging.

What is the best way to auto-tag a PDF for accessibility?

The best method depends on your document type:

Basic Auto-Tagging – ideal for quick fixes and mixed layouts.
Preflight Auto-Tagging – detects document structure automatically.
AI-Generated Templates – best for complex or variable layouts.
Pre-Defined Templates – perfect for repetitive files like invoices or reports.

How accurate is AI auto-tagging for PDFs?

AI auto-tagging with PDFix Desktop is highly accurate for complex layouts, as it uses machine-learning models (e.g., Amazon Textract) to recognize structure and generate templates automatically. You can review and refine tags afterward to achieve 100% compliance.

Can I batch auto-tag multiple PDFs at once?

Yes. PDFix Desktop supports batch auto-tagging, allowing you to process entire folders or document sets simultaneously. This is ideal for organizations managing large archives, ensuring all PDFs meet accessibility standards efficiently.

Do I need coding skills to auto-tag PDFs in PDFix Desktop?

No coding skills are required. PDFix Desktop provides a visual, drag-and-drop interface with automated tagging options. You can create or import layout templates without writing code, making it suitable for accessibility specialists, designers, and non-developers.

Can I integrate PDFix auto-tagging into my existing workflow or CMS?

Yes. PDFix offers both Desktop and SDK solutions, so developers can integrate the same auto-tagging logic directly into workflow pipelines, document management systems, or automated PDF generation processes.

How can I generate a manual layout template for auto-tagging complex PDF structures in batch?

You can create a manual layout template in a JSON file that defines how PDFix should recognize elements such as tables, headers, and anchors across pages. If you have programming or technical skills, you can build the template yourself by following our Layout Template Guide.
Otherwise, simply send us a sample document, and our team can create a custom template for you so you can apply it and see exactly how it works and review the output results before scaling it for batch auto-tagging.