PDF Viewer & Annotations
During data extraction, the left panel of the side-by-side interface contains a full-featured PDF viewer. You can navigate the PDF, highlight text that supports specific extracted values, and leave annotations to communicate with colleagues or document your reasoning.
Navigating the PDF
Use the controls at the top of the PDF panel to move through the document:
- Page arrows - jump to the previous or next page
- Page number field - type a page number and press Enter to jump directly to it
- Zoom controls - zoom in or out using the + and − buttons, or use the zoom dropdown to set a specific percentage
You can also scroll through the PDF by using your mouse wheel or trackpad within the left panel. The right panel (extraction form) scrolls independently.
Highlighting text
Text highlighting lets you mark the passages in the PDF that are the source for a specific extracted value. This makes your extraction decisions auditable and helps the QC reviewer or reconciler verify your work.
To highlight text:
Select text in the PDF
Click and drag to select a passage in the PDF viewer. A small tooltip appears above the selection.
Click Highlight
Click the Highlight button in the tooltip. The selected text is highlighted in yellow and saved to the study.
Link to a field (optional)
After highlighting, you can associate the highlight with a specific extraction field by selecting the field name from the dropdown that appears. This links the evidence directly to the data point.
Highlights are visible to all team members who open the study, including QC reviewers and reconcilers.
Adding annotations
Annotations are notes attached to a specific location in the PDF. Use them to flag uncertainty, document your interpretation, or leave a question for a colleague.
To add an annotation:
Click the annotation icon
Click the annotation (comment) icon in the PDF toolbar to enter annotation mode.
Click a location in the PDF
Click anywhere in the PDF to pin an annotation to that spot. A text input appears.
Type your note
Enter your note and click Save. A pin icon marks the annotation location in the PDF.
Use annotations to flag a passage where the reported value seems unusual or where you made a judgment call. This saves time during QC review because the reviewer can see your reasoning without needing to ask.
Viewing existing highlights and annotations
Click any highlight or annotation pin in the PDF to see the associated note or field linkage. All highlights and annotations for a study are listed in the Annotations panel, accessible from the PDF toolbar.
Removing highlights and annotations
To remove a highlight or annotation, click it in the PDF and select Delete. Only the person who created it, or a project manager, can delete it.