# Store pdf and doc files as raw text in the database - Where to start?

**URL:** https://meta.discourse.org/t/store-pdf-and-doc-files-as-raw-text-in-the-database-where-to-start/122779
**Category:** Development
**Created:** [12 juli 2019 om 08:46 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/store-pdf-and-doc-files-as-raw-text-in-the-database-where-to-start/122779 "2019-07-12T08:46:54Z")
**Posts on this page:** 2
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![darkster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/258eb7/32.png) [@darkster](https://meta.discourse.org/u/darkster)
#### Post date: [12 juli 2019 om 08:46 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/store-pdf-and-doc-files-as-raw-text-in-the-database-where-to-start/122779/1 "2019-07-12T08:46:54Z")

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I want to modify my Discourse installation so that it can also store the content of pdf and doc files as raw text, in the database. I have a basic understanding of the database structure and how the Discourse code works. Where should I begin modifying the source code?

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### Author: ![pfaffman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/pfaffman/32/120154_2.png) [@pfaffman](https://meta.discourse.org/u/pfaffman)
#### Post date: [12 juli 2019 om 10:59 UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/store-pdf-and-doc-files-as-raw-text-in-the-database-where-to-start/122779/2 "2019-07-12T10:59:21Z")

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What problem are you trying to solve? It’s hard to imagine that what you describe is a good solution. Here’s where to start [Developing Discourse Plugins - Part 1 - Create a basic plugin](https://meta.discourse.org/t/beginners-guide-to-creating-discourse-plugins/30515)