Document Unreadable
The Document Unreadable notice means the AI cannot read the document content. The image or PDF is too blurry, too dark, or otherwise unreadable, so no data could be extracted from it.
What Triggers It
This notice appears when the AI determines the document quality is too poor to extract any meaningful data. Common causes include:
- Very low resolution scans -- Documents scanned at less than 150 DPI.
- Photographs taken at extreme angles -- Pictures of documents taken at a sharp angle rather than straight on.
- Heavily redacted documents -- Large portions of the document are blacked out or obscured.
- Blank pages -- The uploaded file contains a blank or nearly blank page.
- Extremely faded or dark documents -- Documents where the text is barely visible.
How to Resolve
- View the document in the PDF viewer on the invoice detail page to confirm the quality issue.
- Choose one of the following options:
Option A: Upload a Clearer Copy
Obtain a higher quality scan or a digital copy of the invoice and upload it to replace the unreadable document. This is the most reliable fix.
Option B: Reprocess with Instructions
Sometimes adding context helps the AI handle difficult documents. You can reprocess the invoice with additional instructions like "the text is faint" or "rotate 90 degrees." See Reprocessing an Invoice for details.
Option C: Dismiss
If this document is not needed (e.g., an extra page, a blank separator sheet, or a non-essential attachment), dismiss the notice and proceed.
Scan invoices at 300 DPI or higher for best results. Avoid photographing documents -- use a flatbed scanner or a mobile scanning app that automatically corrects perspective and enhances contrast.
Learn More
- Uploading Invoices -- Supported formats and upload best practices.
- Reprocessing an Invoice -- When and how to re-run AI extraction.
- Understanding Notices -- Overview of all notice types and how they work.