> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.contractor-co-pilot.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Extract line items from construction documents with AI

> Upload PDFs, spreadsheets, and specs to automatically pull out materials, quantities, and costs — then review and import directly into an estimate.

Document Analysis lets you upload construction documents and have AI pull out structured line items automatically. Instead of manually re-keying data from a subcontractor quote or spec sheet, you upload the file, review what the AI found, edit anything that needs adjusting, and send the results straight into an estimate or project.

## Supported document types

| Type          | Formats         | Notes                             |
| ------------- | --------------- | --------------------------------- |
| PDF           | `.pdf`          | Bid documents, spec sheets, plans |
| Spreadsheet   | `.xlsx`, `.csv` | Cost data, material lists         |
| Word document | `.docx`         | Written specifications            |

Maximum file size is **25 MB** per upload.

## Upload and review flow

<Steps>
  <Step title="Upload your document">
    Navigate to **Document Analysis** and drag your file onto the upload area, or click to browse. The upload begins immediately.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Preview before analyzing">
    The document renders in a preview panel. Confirm it's the right file and check that the relevant pages are visible. If something looks wrong, you can replace the file before proceeding.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Run AI analysis">
    Click **Analyze**. The AI processes the document and extracts structured data automatically. Analysis typically completes in a few seconds to under a minute depending on document size.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review extracted line items">
    The results appear as a table. Each row is an item the AI identified:

    | Field           | Description                        |
    | --------------- | ---------------------------------- |
    | **Description** | What the item is                   |
    | **Quantity**    | How much                           |
    | **Unit**        | Unit of measure (EA, SF, LF, etc.) |
    | **Unit price**  | Cost per unit                      |
    | **Total**       | Line total                         |

    Edit any field inline by clicking it. Delete rows that aren't relevant. You don't need to accept the AI's output as-is — review everything before exporting.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Export to an estimate or project">
    Once the line items look right, choose where to send them:

    * **An existing estimate** — Populates estimate line items directly
    * **An existing project** — Adds items to the project's takeoff
    * **Batch export** — Export multiple selected items at once

    Click **Export** and select the destination. The items are added immediately.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Keyboard shortcuts

| Shortcut               | Action                   |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------ |
| `Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + ]` | Advance to the next step |
| `Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + [` | Go back one step         |

## Tips for better results

<Tip>
  Clean, well-formatted documents produce the most accurate extractions. Scanned PDFs with low resolution or handwritten notes may produce incomplete results.
</Tip>

* **Review every row before exporting.** AI extraction is accurate but not perfect — quantities and unit prices occasionally need correction, especially on complex bid packages.
* **Use inline editing freely.** You can fix descriptions, adjust quantities, and update prices directly in the review table before anything is committed to your estimate.
* **Need to start over?** Click **Start over** to reset the session and upload a different document.

## Related pages

* [Takeoffs](/estimating/takeoffs) — Measure quantities directly from blueprints
* [Estimates](/estimating/estimates) — Build and manage your estimates
* [Organization](/organization/index) — Company-wide file management and settings