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

# Processing PDF Files, Standard versus Enhanced

> This guide shows the differences between PDF Processing Types

Limina offers two ways of scanning PDF files for PII and creating de-identified or redacted copies. PDF redaction approach could be selected by changing the `approach` parameter under `pdf_options`.

## Standard PDF processing

Standard PDF processing involves rendering each PDF page as an image, and processing them as images. Then a new PDF is created using the redacted/de-identified images. Standard PDF processing can include an invisible, de-identified text layer.
Standard PDF processing will replace PII with a blurred/black box.

<Info>
  More information about Standard PDF processing can be found under [Processing PDF Files (Standard)](/configuration-and-operations/working-with-files/processing-files/pdf-standard).
</Info>

## Enhanced PDF Processing

Enhanced PDF processing allows PDFs to be processed natively. Instead of processing pages as images, the existing text layer in a given PDF page is used for de-identification. Content that does not have an invisible text layer is processed as an image.
Enhanced PDF processing will do in-place replacements for the PII found in the document.

<Info>
  More information about Enhanced PDF processing can be found under [Processing PDF Files (Enhanced)](/configuration-and-operations/working-with-files/processing-files/pdf-enhanced).
</Info>

The `approach` parameter under `pdf_options` can be set as:

* `standard` (Standard, default)
* `enhanced` (Enhanced)
* `auto` (Automatic)

## Automatic (`auto`) approach parameter

Setting the `approach` parameter as `auto` will automatically choose which approach mode to select. If the PDF to be deidentifies contains an invisible text layer, `enhanced` will automatically be selected for PDF processing. Otherwise, `standard` will be selected.