how to fix Vision Layout not getting all the correct results from nearly identical pdf's

Question

how to fix Vision Layout not getting all the correct results from nearly identical pdf's

JB 1

I am submitting two PDF's to Vision Layout endpoint so I can extract the check marked Utilities located from this section of the pdf.
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I first split the file and remove the first page. The other two are sent separately through Vision The first page works flawlessly and returns Water as 'Selected'.

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"content": "Water , St. lights Storm\n:selected:\n:unselected: :unselected:"

The second page comes through, but the output doesn't see this correctly. We have figured out that it is proximity of the text above that is messing it up.

Page 1
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Versus Page 2

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I'm sending the results to a function to return the label of any checked values but how do i get Vision to correctly process the file?

I think i have a work around in this instance by redacting that text area before sending it to Vision but that won't help when I get to processing other pdf's.

Here is the file I am trying to process.
184 King St - 20251915589.pdf

Jerald Felix 4,450 Reputation points

2025-06-04T02:30:42.58+00:00
Hello JB,

I understand you're encountering issues with the Vision layout not capturing all the correct elements. While the original Microsoft Q&A thread you referenced isn't accessible, I can provide some general guidance that might help resolve your problem.

Check Layout Settings: Ensure that the layout settings for your components are correctly configured. Misconfigured settings can lead to elements not appearing as expected.

Verify Element Visibility: Sometimes, elements might be hidden due to visibility settings or layering issues. Double-check that all elements are set to be visible and are not obscured by other components.

Inspect Anchoring and Docking: Improper anchoring or docking can cause elements to be positioned incorrectly or not appear at all. Make sure that each element is anchored or docked appropriately within the layout.

Update or Refresh the Layout: If elements are added dynamically, the layout might not update automatically. Consider forcing a layout refresh or update after adding new elements to ensure they are rendered correctly.

Review Error Logs: Check for any error messages or logs that might indicate issues with rendering or loading elements within the layout.

Best Regards,

Jerald Felix

1 answer

Your answer

Jerald Felix 4,450 Reputation points

2025-06-04T02:30:42.58+00:00

Hello JB,

I understand you're encountering issues with the Vision layout not capturing all the correct elements. While the original Microsoft Q&A thread you referenced isn't accessible, I can provide some general guidance that might help resolve your problem.

Check Layout Settings: Ensure that the layout settings for your components are correctly configured. Misconfigured settings can lead to elements not appearing as expected.

Verify Element Visibility: Sometimes, elements might be hidden due to visibility settings or layering issues. Double-check that all elements are set to be visible and are not obscured by other components.

Inspect Anchoring and Docking: Improper anchoring or docking can cause elements to be positioned incorrectly or not appear at all. Make sure that each element is anchored or docked appropriately within the layout.

Update or Refresh the Layout: If elements are added dynamically, the layout might not update automatically. Consider forcing a layout refresh or update after adding new elements to ensure they are rendered correctly.

Review Error Logs: Check for any error messages or logs that might indicate issues with rendering or loading elements within the layout.

Best Regards,

Jerald Felix

Answer 1

Ravada Shivaprasad 920 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi JB

The issue you're encountering with Azure's Vision Layout service misinterpreting check-marked utilities on the second page of your PDF stems from layout interference—specifically, the proximity of unrelated text above the target section. While the first page is processed correctly, the second page fails due to this spatial overlap, which disrupts the model's ability to accurately associate checkboxes with their corresponding labels.

To address this, the first step is to identify the problematic area on the second page where the interference occurs. This typically involves analyzing the layout output from Vision to pinpoint where the text blocks are too close or overlapping. Once identified, a practical workaround is to redact or remove the interfering text before submitting the page to the Vision Layout service. This can be done programmatically using PDF processing libraries like PyMuPDF or PDFPlumber.

Optimizing the document layout is also crucial. This includes removing unnecessary elements, ensuring consistent spacing, and possibly reformatting the document to isolate form fields more clearly. After redaction and optimization, re-submit the page to the Vision Layout service and verify whether the check-marked utilities are now correctly extracted.

While redaction is a viable short-term fix, for broader scalability across varied documents, consider implementing a preprocessing pipeline that dynamically detects and isolates form sections based on layout heuristics or visual zoning. This approach can help maintain accuracy even when document structures vary.

For more on Azure's Vision Layout capabilities and best practices, you can refer to the official documentation: Azure AI Vision Documentation Hub

Thanks

Ravada Shivaprasad 920 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-06-09T18:24:02.2+00:00

Hi JB

Following up to see if the above answer was helpful. If this answers your query, do click Accept Answer and Yes for was this answer helpful. And, if you have any further query do let us know.

Thanks
JB 1 Reputation point

2025-06-09T22:48:32.9166667+00:00

Hi Ravada,
Thanks for your input. While you were able to reiterate the problem as I described it, I don't see a solution apart from what I already said as well. These are incoming PDFs where I have no control over the layout. The solution may be within your reference to preprocessing but there are not enough details provided for me to be able to mark this as the answer. I do thank you for your time though.
Ravada Shivaprasad 920 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-07-21T23:24:15.7966667+00:00

Hi JB

The implementation of a robust preprocessing pipeline for handling layout interference in Azure Vision Layout service begins with understanding the fundamental architecture. At its core, the system operates through four distinct phases: input handling, analysis, processing, and output generation. During the input phase, the system accepts incoming PDFs and configuration parameters that define acceptable layout parameters and interference thresholds. The analysis phase employs sophisticated detection mechanisms to identify potential layout interference, specifically focusing on spatial relationships between text elements and checkbox controls.

The processing phase implements an iterative refinement approach, where detected interference zones undergo systematic redaction. When verification indicates continued interference, the system automatically adjusts its parameters – modifying redaction sensitivity and spacing tolerances – before attempting another processing cycle. This adaptive approach ensures optimal results across diverse document layouts, with built-in safeguards against infinite loops through configurable maximum attempt limits. The final output phase either delivers a successfully processed document ready for Vision Layout service consumption or generates detailed error reports for cases requiring manual intervention.

The practical implementation centers around a flexible configuration framework that allows organizations to tailor the preprocessing behavior to their specific needs. Through a JSON-based configuration system, teams can precisely calibrate parameters such as minimum spacing requirements, interference detection thresholds, and processing sensitivity levels. This configurability proves particularly valuable when dealing with incoming PDFs of varying layouts, as it enables organizations to maintain consistent processing standards across different document types.

The preprocessing pipeline's effectiveness stems from its ability to balance automation with precision. By implementing multiple verification checkpoints throughout the process, the system ensures that layout interference is properly addressed while maintaining document integrity. When faced with particularly challenging documents, the adaptive nature of the processing engine allows it to iteratively refine its approach until optimal results are achieved or clear indicators suggest manual intervention is necessary. This combination of automated processing and intelligent decision-making makes the solution robust enough to handle the complexities of real-world document processing workflows.

Through careful monitoring and continuous refinement of configuration parameters, organizations can optimize the preprocessing pipeline's performance over time. The modular architecture supports easy integration into existing workflows while providing the flexibility needed to adapt to evolving document formats and processing requirements. This comprehensive approach to document preprocessing effectively addresses the challenges posed by layout interference in Azure Vision Layout service, ensuring reliable checkbox recognition even in complex document structures.

Hope it helps!

Thanks
Ravada Shivaprasad 920 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-07-27T08:09:53.08+00:00

Hi JB

Following up to see if the above answer was helpful. If this answers your query, do click Accept Answer and Yes for was this answer helpful. And, if you have any further query do let us know.

Thanks
Ravada Shivaprasad 920 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-07-28T10:35:20.55+00:00

Hi JB

Following up to see if the above answer was helpful. If this answers your query, do click Accept Answer and Yes for was this answer helpful. And, if you have any further query do let us know.

Thanks

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how to fix Vision Layout not getting all the correct results from nearly identical pdf's

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