> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.avoautomation.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.avoautomation.com/avo-assure/actions/generic/file-and-folder-operations/normalize-pdf.md).

# Normalize PDF

This is pre-built Action located under the **@Generic Element,** instructs the Avo Assure to makes the PDF’s format and layout uniform by removing differences and normalize/flatten a specified special PDF (that can be opened/launched only via Acrobat Reader DC) and save the result in the given dynamic variable.

### **Syntax**

**The following are the pre-requisites for Normalize PDF action:**

* The system where the ICE is running must have the PDF Reader (Acrobat Reader DC) installed.
* **Limitation:** This Action is not supported on Windows 8 systems.

**Input Value:** `<PDF Reader FilePath>;<Source PDF FilePath>;<Destination Path>;<1 (overwrite)/0(normal)>(Optional)`

| Argument                                       | Description                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| ---------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| <p>\<PDF Reader FilePath></p><p>(Required)</p> | Provide the Acrobat file path using which you want to read the PDF file                                                                                                                        |
| <p>\<Source PDF FilePath><br>(Required)</p>    | Provide the file path of the original PDF that needs to be normalized.                                                                                                                         |
| <p>\<Destination Path><br>(Required)</p>       | Provide path where the normalized PDF should be saved.                                                                                                                                         |
| <p><1 (overwrite)/0(normal)><br>(Optional)</p> | <p>Optional flag to decide whether to overwrite the destination file.<br>• 1 → Overwrite the destination if it already exists<br>• 0 → Create a new normalized version without overwriting</p> |

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Note:** In above syntax if user gives input as 1 then Normalized PDF will be overwritten on old PDF path else if user gives input as 0 then normalized PDF will be saved as a different file in given destination path.
{% endhint %}

**Output Value:**

| Argument                                                    | Description                                              |
| ----------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| \<Dynamic Variable>(Optional);\<Dynamic Variable>(Optional) | This variable stores the status as **true** or **false** |

**Example**

**Normalize a PDF document using a specified Acrobat reader**

The Normalize PDF action takes the value from the Input Value column (e.g., **C:\Reader\PDFReader.exe;C:\Files\Source.pdf;C:\Files\Normalized.pdf;1**) and normalizes the source PDF using the Acrobat PDF reader. The normalized file is saved to the destination path, and the overwrite flag (1) determines whether to overwrite an existing file. The action status is saved in the **{Status}** variable, with the following possible values:

* **True** – if the PDF is normalized successfully
* **False** – if the PDF is not normalized

<figure><img src="/files/joKL58GLyHsqEp7rSPDQ" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.avoautomation.com/avo-assure/actions/generic/file-and-folder-operations/normalize-pdf.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.