Contract Parser Setup Guide
Step-by-step dashboard guide to configure a contract parser, define fields, run bulk extraction, and export results.
Before You Start
Before setting up your parser, ensure you have:
- A PerfectParser account (sign up at perfectparser.com).
- A healthy credit balance (each contract page processed consumes 1 credit).
- A sample contract document (PDF, PNG, or JPEG) to use during the parser setup.
Recommended Parser Settings
When creating a new Contract Parser, choose the document organization structure that matches your files:
- Single Document Per File: Select this option if each uploaded file represents exactly one legal agreement (even if it spans 50+ pages of annexes and signatures).
- One Document Per Page: This option is not recommended for contracts as legal agreements require full document context across multiple pages.
Recommended Fields
We suggest configuring the following schema fields for your Contract Parser to capture all essential metadata and legal terms.
| Field Name | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
agreement_type | Text | The type of agreement (e.g. NDA, MSA, Lease Agreement, SLA). |
party_one | Text | The name of the first signing party/company. |
party_two | Text | The name of the second signing party/company. |
effective_date | Text | The date the contract goes into effect. |
termination_date | Text | The date the contract terminates or expires. |
contract_value | Number | The total financial value of the contract (if stated). |
governing_law | Text | The state or national jurisdiction governing the contract. |
key_clauses | Table | Table containing clause_name and summary for main obligations. |
AI Instructions (Optional)
To help the AI parser extract field values with maximum accuracy, copy and paste the following prompt instructions into the AI Instructions (Optional) field during setup:
Step-by-Step UI Setup
Follow these steps to set up your Contract Parser using the single-page setup in the PerfectParser dashboard.
Step 1: Create the Parser
Log in to your dashboard, click Parsers in the left-hand navigation menu, and click the New Parser button.
Step 2: Configure Name and File Organization
In the Parser Details & Setup section:
- Enter a clear, recognizable name in the Parser Name field (e.g., "Legal Agreements").
- Choose your document structure under How are your files organized? (e.g., select Single Document Per File).
Step 3: Upload your Sample Contract
Upload your sample document by dragging and dropping it into the upload box on the left-hand Sample Document Preview panel, or clicking the box to choose a file from your computer.
Step 4: Run Auto-Detection
Once the document finishes uploading:
- Copy the prompt from the AI Instructions (Optional) section above and paste it into the AI Instructions (Optional) box.
- Click the Auto-Detect Fields button. The AI will analyze the sample document's layout and suggest extraction fields within 10 to 15 seconds.
Step 5: Verify and Refine Fields
Review the generated schema on the right. You can rename fields, change data types, or edit the helper descriptions to guide extraction. When you are satisfied with the schema, click Create Parser at the bottom right.
Step 6: Run a Batch Extraction
To process your legal agreements:
- Click Bulk Extraction in the left sidebar or the top header.
- Select your newly created Legal Agreements parser.
- Upload one or more contract PDFs. PerfectParser will start extracting data immediately.
Step 7: Export Extracted Data
Navigate to Batch History in the left sidebar or click the Batch History tab on the parser details page. Click Show Files to inspect individual contract extractions, view confidence scores, and verify the structured output.
To download your structured data:
- Click the Export button on the completed batch card.
- Select Export as Excel or Export as CSV from the dropdown menu to download the structured table directly to your computer.
Developer Integration
If you want to automate contract parsing programmatically inside your applications:
- See the Create Parser API Guide to manage your parsers programmatically.
- See the Start Extraction API Guide to submit contract files and retrieve extracted JSON payloads.
- See the Webhooks Reference to configure automatic webhooks that deliver extraction results to your server as soon as they are completed.
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