ActivePieces is an open-source automation platform with hundreds of integrations and a flexible workflow builder. It includes built-in PDF actions such as merging PDFs, extracting pages, and extracting embedded text. However, it does not perform OCR on scanned documents or extract structured data such as invoice fields, tables, or key-value pairs from documents.
Parseur fills that gap. Using AI-powered document parsing, Parseur extracts structured data from emails, PDFs, scanned documents, and spreadsheets, then sends it directly to your ActivePieces workflows. Whether you're automating invoices, purchase orders, shipping notifications, or lead forms, Parseur and ActivePieces help you build end-to-end document workflows without manual data entry.
Key Takeaways
ActivePieces includes built-in PDF actions such as merging PDFs, extracting pages, extracting embedded text, converting PDFs to images, and generating PDFs.
The native PDF piece does not perform OCR or extract structured fields, tables, or key-value data from documents.
Parseur extracts structured data from emails, PDFs, scanned documents, and spreadsheets, then sends the results to your ActivePieces flows.
Use the native Parseur piece to trigger workflows automatically when new documents are processed.
Configure your extraction template once in Parseur, then route structured data to Google Sheets, CRMs, Slack, databases, and hundreds of other apps through ActivePieces.
What ActivePieces Can't Do Natively With Documents
ActivePieces includes useful PDF actions, but document extraction still requires additional tools:
Extract Text reads embedded text only. Scanned or image-based PDFs require OCR.
Structured fields like invoice numbers, totals, or dates are not extracted automatically.
Tables and line items are not converted into structured data.
Parseur handles all of that before the data reaches ActivePieces. Fields such as invoice numbers, customer details, dates, totals, and line items are automatically extracted and sent to your ActivePieces flows as clean, structured data.
What You Can Build With Parseur and ActivePieces
Once Parseur extracts your document data, ActivePieces can route it to hundreds of apps and automate the next step in your workflow. Here are a few examples:
Automate invoice processing: Extract invoice data automatically and send it to your accounting software, ERP, or Google Sheets to eliminate manual data entry and speed up invoice processing.
Capture order emails: Parse order confirmation emails and automatically create or update records in your CRM, database, or order management system.
Trigger notifications: Extract key details from shipping updates, delivery notices, or support requests, then notify your team instantly through Slack or Microsoft Teams.
Sync documents across systems: Save document attachments to your preferred cloud storage while sending structured metadata to your CRM, database, or other business applications.
Build self-hosted workflows: Combine Parseur with ActivePieces' self-hosted deployment option to automate document processing while keeping your workflows and data within your own infrastructure.
How the Integration Works
Connecting Parseur with ActivePieces takes three steps:
Documents arrive in your Parseur mailbox. Forward emails or upload PDFs, invoices, forms, and other business documents for automatic processing.
Parseur extracts structured data using AI-powered document parsing.
ActivePieces automates the next step. Use the extracted data to update spreadsheets, create CRM records, send notifications, or trigger workflows across your connected apps.
Step-by-Step: Connect Parseur to ActivePieces
Step 1: Forward Documents to Your Parseur Mailbox
Each Parseur mailbox has a dedicated email address. Forward a sample email or PDF to it. The document appears in your mailbox within seconds, including any attachments.
Set up an auto-forwarding rule in Gmail or Outlook to handle new incoming documents automatically.
Step 2: Parseur Extracts Data From Documents Automatically
Our AI engine processes the document instantly. You can also create and customise the fields you want to extract directly from Parseur's web app.
Step 3: Connect Parseur With ActivePieces
Head to your ActivePieces dashboard and create a new workflow with Parseur as the trigger. Input the API key (found in your account settings) to connect Parseur with ActivePieces and choose your mailbox.
ActivePieces dashboard: adding Parseur as the workflow trigger and connecting via API keyTesting the Parseur and ActivePieces connection by reprocessing a document
Reprocess your document to test the connection.
Step 4: Connect Your Destination App
Choose the app you want to send the parsed data to. We'll use Google Sheets as an example.
ActivePieces: selecting Google Sheets as the action step after Parseur extracts the data
Map the parsed fields from Parseur to the correct columns.
Field mapping in ActivePieces: connecting Parseur output fields to the target Google Sheets columns
Test the connection and publish the workflow.
Completed ActivePieces workflow with Parseur as the trigger and Google Sheets as the destination
ActivePieces, n8n, Make, or Zapier?
All four platforms work with Parseur, but each serves different needs.
ActivePieces is a great choice for teams looking for an open-source automation platform with optional self-hosting and a user-friendly workflow builder. n8n offers greater flexibility for developers who need advanced customisation, scripting, and API integrations. Make is ideal for building complex visual workflows with advanced routing, while Zapier is best for quickly connecting apps with minimal setup.
Try out our powerful document processing tool for free.
What is Parseur?
Parseur is a powerful document processing software to extract text from emails, PDFs and documents and automate your workflow.
All Parseur features.
What is ActivePieces?
ActivePieces is an open-source automation platform that helps you connect your apps and automate repetitive workflows without writing code. It supports optional self-hosting, making it a flexible choice for teams that need control over their workflows and data.
Common questions about using Parseur with ActivePieces to automate document processing and workflow automation.
ActivePieces includes built-in PDF actions such as merging PDFs, extracting pages, converting PDFs to images, and extracting embedded text. However, it does not perform OCR on scanned documents or extract structured fields like invoice numbers, dates, totals, or line items. Parseur adds those document extraction capabilities before the data reaches your ActivePieces workflow.
Add the Parseur Piece as a trigger in your ActivePieces flow, then connect it to Google Sheets, Slack, or any other supported application. Once a document is parsed, ActivePieces automatically routes the extracted data to the next step in your workflow.
Yes. ActivePieces includes a native Parseur Piece with built-in triggers and actions, making it easy to receive parsed document data and automate workflows without manually configuring HTTP requests.
ActivePieces is a great option if you're looking for an open-source automation platform with optional self-hosting and a user-friendly workflow builder. If your workflows require advanced scripting, highly complex visual automation, or simple two-app integrations, n8n, Make, or Zapier may be a better fit depending on your requirements.
Yes. Parseur works with both the cloud and self-hosted versions of ActivePieces, allowing you to automate document processing while maintaining control over your workflows and infrastructure.
No. You can configure extraction fields in Parseur and build workflows in ActivePieces using their visual, no-code interfaces. Developers can also use APIs or webhooks for more advanced integrations if needed.
The Parseur Piece can trigger ActivePieces workflows when documents are processed, allowing you to automatically route extracted data to connected applications. Additional actions and triggers are also available through the native integration.
