# AI Extraction

OpenCharts AI Extraction converts a PDF, PowerPoint, or image into an editable flowchart in roughly 5–15 seconds. Theo identifies terminals, processes, decisions, and connections, applies auto-layout, and hands you a fully editable React Flow canvas you can refine, share, and export.

**Help By** **OpenCharts Team**  Published February 1, 2025  Updated April 27, 2026

## How It Works

Theo analyzes your document with Theo Swift to identify flowchart elements, understand relationships, and generate an editable flowchart.

1

### Upload Your Document

Drag and drop or click to select a file. Preview it before extraction.

2

### AI Analysis

The AI scans your document, identifying nodes, processes, decisions, and connections.

3

### Review & Edit

Your flowchart appears in the editor. Review the result and make any adjustments needed.

## Supported Formats

### PDF Documents

- .pdf  
  Upload process documents, flowchart diagrams, or any PDF with visual flow information  
  Works best with clear, well-structured documents

### Images

- .png  
- .jpg  
- .jpeg  
- .gif  
- .webp  
  Upload screenshots, photos of whiteboards, or exported flowchart images  
  Higher resolution images produce better results

### PowerPoint

- .pptx  
- .ppt  
  Upload presentations containing process flows or diagrams  
  Individual slides with flowcharts work best

## Step-by-Step Guide

### 1. Start the Upload

From the editor, click the **"AI Extract"** button in the toolbar, or navigate to **/editor/new?mode=upload**.

### 2. Select Your File

Drag and drop your file onto the upload area, or click to browse. A preview will appear so you can confirm you've selected the right document.

### 3. Extract the Flowchart

Click **"Extract Flowchart"** to start the AI analysis. This usually takes 5-15 seconds depending on document complexity.

### 4. Review and Refine

The extracted flowchart loads in the editor. Review the nodes and connections, then make any adjustments. Use Auto Layout to clean up positioning.

## Tips for Best Results

### Do

- Use high-resolution images (300+ DPI)  
- Ensure text in the document is readable  
- Use documents with clear visual structure  
- Include standard flowchart shapes when possible

### Avoid

- Blurry or low-quality images  
- Documents with handwritten text  
- Complex multi-page documents (use single pages)  
- Documents with overlapping elements

## Troubleshooting

### Extraction produced unexpected results?

The AI works best with clearly structured documents. If results aren't accurate:

- Try uploading a cleaner version of the document  
- Manually adjust nodes and connections in the editor

### File won't upload?

Check that your file is under 10MB and in a supported format (.pdf, .png, .jpg, .jpeg, .gif, .webp, .pptx, .ppt). If issues persist, try converting to PDF first.

### Extraction is taking too long?

Complex documents may take up to 30 seconds. If extraction times out, try with a simpler document or a single page from a larger file.

## What AI Recognizes

The AI is trained to identify common flowchart elements:
- Start/End
- Terminal points
- Processes
- Action steps
- Decisions
- Yes/No branches
- Data I/O
- Input/output
- Arrows
- Flow direction
- Labels
- Text content
- Conditions
- Branch labels
- Loops
- Return paths