Image to Text Actor

An Apify Actor that extracts text from images using the MultipleWords API. This Actor supports both standby mode (HTTP server) and batch processing modes, allowing you to extract text from images via API calls or batch processing.

Features

• Text Extraction: Extract text from images using the MultipleWords API
• Multiple Input Formats: Supports file uploads, file paths, URLs, and base64-encoded images
• Standby Mode: Runs as an HTTP server for real-time API requests
• Batch Processing: Supports batch mode for processing multiple images
• Error Handling: Comprehensive error handling and logging
• Graceful Shutdown: Handles abort signals gracefully

How it works

This Actor uses the MultipleWords API (https://shorts.multiplewords.com/mwvideos/api/image_to_text) to extract text from images. It accepts image files in various formats and returns the extracted text along with the processed image URL.

The Actor can operate in two modes:

1. Standby Mode: Runs as an HTTP server, accepting POST requests at the root endpoint
2. Batch Mode: Processes input from the Apify input schema and exits when complete

Input

The Actor accepts the following input parameters:

Input Schema

{
  "file": "string (optional)"
}

Input Parameters

• file (string, optional): The image file to process. Can be:
  • A file path (local file system)
  • A URL (HTTP/HTTPS)
  • A base64-encoded string
  • A base64 data URL (e.g., data:image/jpeg;base64,...)
  • A File or Blob object

Note: Either file or image_url (for HTTP API calls) must be provided.

API Request Format (Standby Mode)

When running in standby mode, send POST requests to the root endpoint (/) with JSON body:

{
  "file": "path/to/image.jpg",
  "image_url": "https://example.com/image.jpg",
  "file_base64": "base64-encoded-string",
  "file_name": "image.jpg",
  "file_content_type": "image/jpeg"
}

Output

The Actor outputs data to the Apify dataset with the following structure:

{
  "status": 1,
  "image_url": "https://multiplewords.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/image_to_text/...",
  "extracted_text": "The extracted text from the image..."
}

Output Fields

• status (integer): API response status (1 = success)
• image_url (string): URL of the processed image stored on the CDN
• extracted_text (string): The text extracted from the image

API Endpoint

The Actor uses the following API endpoint:

• URL: https://shorts.multiplewords.com/mwvideos/api/image_to_text
• Method: POST
• Content-Type: multipart/form-data
• Parameters:
  • user_id: 663559 (hardcoded)
  • isPro: 1 (hardcoded)
  • file: The image file to process

Usage

Running Locally

To run the Actor locally:

$apify run

Using the Actor via Apify Console

1. Go to Apify Console
2. Create a new Actor run or use an existing Actor
3. Provide input in the input schema:

   {
     "file": "path/to/your/image.jpg"
   }
   

4. Start the run and wait for results

Using the Actor via API (Standby Mode)

When the Actor is running in standby mode, you can send HTTP requests:

curl -X POST http://localhost:8080/ \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "file": "path/to/image.jpg"
  }'

Or with a base64-encoded image:

curl -X POST http://localhost:8080/ \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "file_base64": "iVBORw0KGgoAAAANS...",
    "file_name": "image.png",
    "file_content_type": "image/png"
  }'

Example Response

{
  "status": 1,
  "image_url": "https://multiplewords.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/image_to_text/istockphoto517188688612x612-2026-01-27-10-46-33.jpg",
  "extracted_text": "The image showcases a breathtaking mountain landscape at sunset. In the foreground, a vibrant green field of tall grass stretches toward the horizon, illuminated by the warm, golden light of the setting sun..."
}

Deploy to Apify

Connect Git repository to Apify

If you've created a Git repository for the project, you can easily connect to Apify:

1. Go to Actor creation page
2. Click on Link Git Repository button

Push project on your local machine to Apify

You can also deploy the project on your local machine to Apify without the need for the Git repository.

1. Log in to Apify. You will need to provide your Apify API Token to complete this action.

   $apify login
   

2. Deploy your Actor. This command will deploy and build the Actor on the Apify Platform. You can find your newly created Actor under Actors -> My Actors.

   $apify push
   

Included features

• Apify SDK - toolkit for building Actors
• Standby Mode Support - HTTP server for real-time API requests
• Graceful Abort Handling - Proper cleanup on Actor termination
• Comprehensive Error Handling - Detailed error messages and logging
• Multiple File Format Support - Handles various input formats seamlessly

Resources

• Apify SDK for JavaScript documentation
• Apify Platform documentation
• Node.js tutorials in Academy
• Video guide on getting data using Apify API
• Integration with Make, GitHub, Zapier, Google Drive, and other apps
• Join our developer community on Discord