REDCap does not accept PDF uploads. The only way to get a PDF survey, questionnaire, or CRF into REDCap is through a Data Dictionary CSV. Pirai AI converts any PDF into that CSV automatically : including scanned documents and published instruments. No manual field entry required.
What Pirai AI Generates from Your PDF
Pirai AI reads your PDF, extracts all questions and answer options, identifies field types, and generates a REDCap Data Dictionary CSV with all required columns populated: Variable / Field Name, Form Name, Field Type, Field Label, Choices, and validation settings. Upload the .csv directly to a new REDCap project.
PDF types supported
Native PDFs (Word exported as PDF, digitally created documents), scanned paper documents converted to PDF, and multi-page published instruments (PHQ-9, GAD-7, SF-36, CRFs, and other validated questionnaires).
Step-by-Step: PDF to REDCap
- 1Upload your PDF to Pirai AIGo to platform.piraiai.com and upload your PDF file.
- 2Select REDCap and download the Data Dictionary CSVChoose REDCap. Download the .csv file with all required Data Dictionary columns populated.
- 3Create a new empty REDCap projectLog in to REDCap, click New Project, enter a title, select Purpose, choose Empty project, and click Create Project.
- 4Upload the CSV via Data DictionaryGo to Project Setup > Data Dictionary. Click Choose File, select your .csv, click Upload File, review the summary, and click Commit Changes.
- 5Review in the Online DesignerA Changes Made Successfully confirmation appears. Go to the Online Designer to verify all fields and instruments before collecting data.
REDCap Field Types Generated from PDF
| PDF Question Type | REDCap Field Type |
|---|---|
| Multiple choice (single answer) | radio |
| Multiple choice (multi-select) | checkbox |
| Short answer / text box | text |
| Long answer / paragraph | notes |
| Dropdown / select list | dropdown |
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Get Started
Upload your document at platform.piraiai.com. Select REDCap, download your Data Dictionary .csv, and upload via Project Setup > Data Dictionary > Upload File > Commit Changes.
For the full import guide, see How to Convert Word, PDF, Excel to REDCap. For the three-method comparison, see How to Convert a Word Document to a REDCap Data Dictionary.