By Glyf

Supported Files (PDFs, Images, Photos)

Glyf can extract data from receipt images, handle pdf invoice extraction, and read receipt photo extraction from your phone, without templates or setup.

This page covers:

  • what files are supported
  • practical limits (so you don't get surprised)
  • quality tips that improve results fast

For the full workflow, see: How it works

Supported File Types

PDFs

Best for:

  • digital invoices
  • emailed receipts
  • downloadable supplier invoices

Glyf supports scanned invoice extraction inside PDFs as well (the classic "paper invoice → scan → PDF" workflow).

Images

Best for:

  • receipt photos
  • screenshots of receipts/invoices
  • scanned documents saved as images

Common supported image formats include:

  • JPG / JPEG
  • PNG
  • WEBP

If you're unsure, upload it. The app will tell you immediately if it's unsupported.

Glyf upload zone accepting PDFs, images, and receipt photos

What "Receipt Photo Extraction" Needs to Work Well

Phone photos are totally fine, but a few tiny improvements make a big difference.

Quick quality checklist (30 seconds)

  • Keep the receipt flat (no curled edges if possible)
  • Make sure text is in focus (tap to focus before shooting)
  • Avoid harsh glare (angle the phone slightly)
  • Include the whole receipt (top + bottom edges visible)
  • Use good light (near a window beats a dark kitchen)

For a dedicated guide:

Practical Limits (Capability + Reality)

Glyf is built for real-world receipts and invoices, but there are limits worth knowing.

Multi-page PDFs

  • Multi-page invoices are supported.
  • If pages contain different layouts, extraction may vary by page.

Very large files

  • Glyf supports files up to 10MB. Which is more than enough for most use cases.
  • If you have a file larger than 10MB, please convert it to a smaller file before uploading.

Low-quality scans and "receipt archaeology"

Faded ink, crumpled paper, and thermal receipts from 2017 might still work, but they're harder. You must ensure that the text is legible and that the receipt is not damaged.

If your inputs are rough, these guides help:

What Usually Causes Bad Results

If extraction looks off, it's almost always one of these:

  • motion blur (camera shake)
  • glare covering totals or VAT
  • cropped edges (missing vendor or total)
  • tiny text (too far away)
  • heavily wrinkled receipts breaking line structure

The fix is usually simple: re-photo, flatten, brighten, rescan, or double check after analysis.

Best "Golden Path" Workflow

If you want the smoothest experience:

  1. Use PDFs for invoices when available
  2. Use phone photos for receipts (well lit, in focus)
  3. Upload in batches
  4. Review quickly
  5. Export to Excel/CSV

Full step-by-step: How it works

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