True PDF Software for you!
Buy once - use forever!
  2. Products
  3. PDF Printer
  4. ZUGFeRD via PDF Printing 🚀

ZUGFeRD via PDF Printing 🚀

PDF Attach Extract and Remove | 7-PDF Download

Whether Word, Excel, or any billing software – our workflow lets you create a ZUGFeRD-compliant e-invoice in no time via normal PDF printing.

In the background, our self-developed AI-powered online service 7-PDF Invoice Extractor 🤖 performs its premium-level analytical tasks.

The AI is part of 7-PDF Attach Extract and Remove and is triggered by a simple console command from our PDF printer after PDF/A generation. It automatically recognizes all relevant invoice data in the PDF, generates compliant XML according to DIN EN 16931, and embeds the ZUGFeRD XML seamlessly into the resulting PDF/A-3 document. The few setup steps required are explained further down this page.

🎯 You print – our two tools 7-PDF Printer Professional and 7-PDF Attach Extract and Remove handle the rest: no matter what invoice layout you use or from which app the invoice is printed. Our AI analysis service 7-PDF Invoice Extractor reliably and securely extracts your invoice data and provides valid ZUGFeRD XML. Fully legally compliant, secure, and privacy-friendly through processing on servers in Germany.

✔ What is required?

🚀 And it’s that easy

Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide. You’ll be ready in 10 steps and just a few minutes – promise!

Let’s get started:

  1. First, download the 📥 7-PDF Printer Professional Edition and install it on your computer. Only this version supports legally compliant PDF/A-3b format required for ZUGFeRD. You can find an installation guide here in this video.
  2. If not already done, please install 📥 7-PDF Attach Extract and Remove (version 2.0 or higher). The installer is available here.

    3. IMPORTANT: After installation, start "7-PDF Attach Extract and Remove" and switch to the "Privacy" tab. Consent to data processing is required for 7-PDF Invoice Extractor to work correctly.

    The screenshot shows the required area with the necessary activation:

    IMPORTANT: Don’t forget to close the program so your privacy settings are saved!

  3. Next, open the options dialog of 7-PDF Printer.

    4. The easiest way is to use the Windows search function.

  4. Create a new OptionSet named "7-PDF Invoice Extractor". This is just a custom name for saving your config. Make sure not to share the setting with other users!

  5. Enable PDF/A3 format under the “Document” tab. This is required as e-invoices under DIN EN 16931 must be immutable and archivable documents.

  6. Disable the automatic opening of the PDF after printing under the “Actions” tab. Otherwise, the viewer might block the PDF and prevent further processing by Attach & Remove.

  7. Now integrate the call to 7-PDF Attach Extract and Remove via the command line to link PDF printing directly with XML generation.

    8. Go to the "Execute" tab and enter the following command in the "Run on success" field:

    !"C:\Program Files (x86)\7-PDF\7-PDF Attach Extract And Remove Files\InvoiceExtractor.bat" "%1" ""

    The placeholders %1 and "" stand for file path and optional token. The free quota is sufficient at first, so leave the second field empty. The command runs in the background – nothing will appear.

    Note: The path must be correct. If the tool was not installed in the default folder, select the batch file via the "..." button.

  8. Don’t forget to save your settings by clicking "Apply" and "OK".

    9. Tip: Use our 📥 Word demo invoice to test. Ensure it includes all required data like VAT ID, IBAN, and relevant invoice content.

  9. Now start PDF printing – for example, from Word, Excel, or an ERP system. The 7-PDF Printer dialog will appear.

    10. Select your previously created OptionSet, choose the save location, and click "Save".

    After a few moments, the success message will appear – provided your free quota hasn’t been used up yet.

  10. Finally, your default PDF viewer will open and display the finished ZUGFeRD PDF. This call comes from the batch file InvoiceExtractor.bat and can be disabled by commenting the line with REM.

Conclusion: Create your invoice as usual, save as PDF – and convert it to a real e-invoice with one click!

💡 ZUGFeRD XML – Best Practices for Robust Validity

Please ensure your invoice data and price calculations are correct (⚠️ negative invoice totals are not allowed under DIN EN 16931), and that your invoice templates (e.g., from Word or Excel) include the IBAN, BIC, and your VAT ID or W-IdNr. in the format DE123456789 (without spaces). These details are required for a valid ZUGFeRD XML and for VAT deduction. They undergo a plausibility check and are only output if valid. Otherwise, you will receive an error instead of valid XML. If you do not yet have a VAT ID/W-IdNr., please contact your local tax office.

Note: For VAT-exempt invoices – for example, in intra-community trade within the EU – make sure your invoice contains a clear note with terms such as tax-free or better yet Reverse Charge. Only then can the reason for the tax exemption be correctly included in the ZUGFeRD XML.

Important: Do not place this information only as a graphic in the header or footer of your template! Our OCR may not reliably detect such content – especially if image quality in the PDF is low. Be sure this data appears as machine-readable text directly in the invoice document.

✅ Visually and structurally check your e-invoices before forwarding using our 7-PDF E-Invoice Validator, or integrate the validation directly into the print process.

🚨 Note on Privacy & Security

  • 🔒 All data is transmitted securely via SSL
  • ❌ No storage: Your invoice data is immediately deleted after processing
  • 🇩🇪 Infrastructure and AI services run on servers located in Germany
  • 🏢 As a German sole proprietorship, we personally stand for quality, data protection, and reliability.

🎁 Free: 35 Invoice Runs – Just Start!

✅ Even with the free trial version of 7-PDF Attach Extract and Remove, you receive 10 free test runs to convert PDF invoices into electronic ZUGFeRD PDF/A-3 invoices – no license needed, completely risk-free.

✅ Once you purchase the full version, you'll receive an additional 25 free invoice runs with your license key – perfect for getting started in productive use 🏁.

🔐 With your license key, you can log into the AI service 7-PDF Invoice Extractor at any time. Use the 👉 Token Login to track your quota 📊 and past processing sessions.

🔄 Once your quota is used up, you have the option to 💳 purchase an API token for unlimited use – flexible, transparent, cancellable monthly.

🖨️ Tip: PDF/A-3 Creation with 7-PDF Printer Professional

To convert into a compliant ZUGFeRD e-invoice, the source document must be in PDF/A-3b format. Use our recommended solution 7-PDF Printer Professional to convert your PDF invoices simply via printing.

💡 When purchasing 7-PDF Attach Extract and Remove, you'll automatically receive 10% off the 7-PDF Printer Professional in cross-selling – ideal for complete ZUGFeRD invoice creation from a single source!

10% discount symbol in cart

🛒 Tip: Watch out for this symbol 👆 in the cart – click it to view your discounted cross-selling offers!

📘 Note on Special Tax Cases (Germany)

The 7-PDF Invoice Extractor automatically supports the reverse charge procedure for intra-community B2B invoices according to § 13b UStG (e.g. for EU customers with a valid VAT ID).

Special national reverse charge exceptions (e.g., construction services or metal trading under Appendix 4 UStG) as well as invoices under the small business regulation according to § 19 UStG are not supported for practical reasons.

Top