Exporting figures and tables

Save every figure of a paper as a PNG image and every table as a CSV file, with an index, for one paper or many papers at once. No AI is involved; Rectoly reads the paper's own layout.

Applies to Mendeley and Zotero editions Windows · Mac · iPad Included in the purchase

Export one paper

  1. Open the paper.
  2. Start the export:
    • Mac · iPadChoose … › Figures and tables….
    • WindowsAbove the paper, open Export and hand off to writing and choose Figures and tables…. In the library you can also right-click a paper and choose Export figures and tables….
  3. WindowsChoose the folder to export to.
  4. When it is done, Rectoly says how many figures and tables it saved.
    • Mac · iPadShare or save the folder from the share sheet that opens.
    • WindowsShow in folder opens the folder.

If the paper has none, you see "No figures or tables were found in this paper."

Exporting figures and tables is included in the purchase. It is free during the 14-day trial and for the sample paper.

Save a single figure or table

In Reading Mode, figures and tables are cards in the text. Long-press a card (right-click on Mac and Windows) and choose:

  • Save figure as PNG… or Copy figure
  • Save table as CSV… or Copy table (pastes into a spreadsheet)
  • Save table as PNG…, for a table that has no text to read

After saving or pasting a table, check its rows and columns: tables are read from the PDF's layout and can come out imperfect.

Export many papers at once

  1. Start a batch:
    • Mac · iPadIn the library, choose … › Export figures and tables…. Choose which papers: All papers, Select papers or Current collection only. Then press Export.
    • WindowsIn the library's ⋮ menu, choose Export figures and tables from the papers shown… (the list as it is filtered now).
    • WindowsOr, in the Across papers tab, choose Export figures and tables from every paper on this PC….
  2. WindowsChoose the folder to export to.
  3. Progress shows as "Exporting figures and tables: N of M". You can stop at any time.
  4. When it is done, each paper has a folder of its own, and an index.md at the top lists the papers.
    • Mac · iPadThe share sheet opens with Share the folder.
  • Only papers whose PDF is on this device are read. Download the others first. See Downloading PDFs.
  • One paper failing does not stop the rest. Papers that could not be read are listed in index.md.
  • A batch is included in the purchase, even when it contains the sample paper among others.

What you get

  • Every figure as a PNG image and every table as a CSV file.
  • An index.md listing each item with its Label, Page, File and Caption.
  • Tables Rectoly is unsure about are marked Check in index.md. Open them and compare with the PDF before you use them.

Image resolution

Settings › Data › Figure export › Resolution sets how fine the PNG files are: 150, 300 or 600 dpi. 300 dpi is enough for print.

Updated September 20, 2026