This tutorial will walk you through the process of classifying different document types and using the appropriate extraction templates based on the classification.

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Automated Document Classification Workflow

In many business scenarios, you’ll receive various document types through a single channel (like an upload portal) and need to process them differently. Document classification is the crucial first step that determines which extraction template to apply.

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Use Case: Financial Document Processing

Let’s explore a common use case: an accounting firm that processes various financial documents for clients:

  • Invoices from vendors that need to be recorded and paid
  • Receipts for expense reimbursements and tax documentation
  • Bank statements showing account activity
  • Purchase orders documenting approved purchases

Each document type requires different data extraction templates. Classification allows you to automatically route documents to the appropriate extraction process.

1

Create document extraction templates

Before classification, create extraction templates for each document type you handle.

For our use case, you would create templates for:

  • Invoice extraction template
  • Receipt extraction template
  • Bank statement extraction template
  • Purchase order extraction template

See the basic invoice tutorial and dense table tutorial for examples of creating extraction templates.

2

Create a classification object

Use the /classification endpoint to create a classification object that can identify your document types.

const options = {
  headers: {
    'x-api-key': process.env.OMNI_API_KEY,
    'Content-Type': 'application/json',
  }
}

const data = {
  name: "Financial Document Classifier",
  options: [
    { name: "INVOICE", description: "Document listing items sold with prices" },
    { name: "RECEIPT", description: "Proof of payment with transaction details" },
    { name: "BANK_STATEMENT", description: "Monthly record of account activity" },
    { name: "PURCHASE_ORDER", description: "Document requesting products with agreed terms" },
  ]
};

axios
  .post(`https://api.getomni.ai/classification`, data, options)
  .then((response) => { console.log(response.data) })
  .catch((error) => { console.error(error) });

The response will include a id that you’ll use to classify documents:

{
  "id": "550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000"
  "success": true
}
3

Run classification on a document

Use the /classify endpoint with your classification ID to identify document types.

const data = {
  url: "<URL of the document to classify>",
  classificationId: "<Classification ID>"
}

// Classify a document
axios.post(`https://api.getomni.ai/classify`, data, options)
  .then((response) => { console.log(response.data) })
  .catch((error) => { console.error(error) });

Example response:

{
  "result": {
    "id": "4e3598e3-3ee2-423b-820e-176f4547ac4b",
    "name": "BANK_STATEMENT"
  }
}
4

Route document to appropriate template

Based on the classification result, route the document to the appropriate extraction template.

// Map document types to template IDs
const templateMap = {
  'INVOICE': 'uuid_of_invoice_template',
  'RECEIPT': 'uuid_of_receipt_template',
  'BANK_STATEMENT': 'uuid_of_bank_statement_template',
  'PURCHASE_ORDER': 'uuid_of_purchase_order_template'
};

const templateId = templateMap[documentType];

const data = {
  url: "<URL of the document to extract>",
  templateId: templateId
}

// Extract data using the appropriate template
axios.post(`https://api.getomni.ai/extract`, data, options)
  .then((response) => { console.log(response.data) })
  .catch((error) => { console.error(error) });

🎉 You’ve now successfully classified a document and routed it to the appropriate extraction template!

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Classification Performance Tips

  1. Use diverse training samples: When creating a classification object, include examples of each document type with different layouts, formatting, and quality levels.

  2. Include an OTHER option: Create an OTHER option to handle documents that don’t match any of your predefined types. This helps prevent important documents from being misclassified.

  3. Be specific with descriptions: Write detailed descriptions for each document type that highlight unique identifying features (e.g., “Invoice: Contains line items with quantities and prices”).

  4. Update your options regularly: Add new document variations to your classification object as you encounter them to continuously improve accuracy.