# Document processing

> Dedicated canvas nodes that apply UiPath document intelligence: extraction, summarization, and more as discrete steps in a process.

Document processing nodes bring UiPath document intelligence directly onto the canvas as discrete, business-oriented steps. Each node represents one operation — extract structured fields, synthesize a long document — without requiring you to wire up a separate agent or understand the underlying model technology.

The nodes are in the **Document** (Preview) category of the **Add node** panel.

![The Document category: Summarize document (Preview) and Extract (Preview).](https://dev-assets.cms.uipath.com/assets/images/maestro-automate/add-node-document-automate-090b86cd.webp)

## Available nodes

| Node | What it does |
|---|---|
| [Extract](node-extract.md) | Pulls typed fields from a document using an Intelligent Xtraction and Processing (IXP) extraction model, either an existing model or a new one that you create in the node. Use when you need structured data — invoice totals, form values, named fields — returned in a typed shape for downstream nodes to act on. |
| [Summarize document](node-summarize.md) | Synthesizes across a document (up to 1,000 pages) and returns a grounded answer with citations. Use when the next step needs a reasoned answer or summary, not a fixed schema of fields. |

## How document processing nodes differ from agent tools

Summarize also exists as a built-in agent tool that attaches to an [Autonomous Agent](node-agent.md). The distinction is where the decision is made:

- **Document processing node** — the step is deterministic. The workflow always calls Extract or Summarize at that point in the process, with the inputs you configure.
- **Agent tool** — the agent decides when to call the tool while reasoning. Use the [Summarize agent tool](summarize.md) when an Autonomous Agent needs to synthesize documents as part of broader open-ended reasoning.

## Next steps
- [Extract](node-extract.md)
- [Summarize](node-summarize.md)
- [Summarize agent tool](summarize.md)
- [Autonomous Agent](node-agent.md)
- [Community](community.md): ask questions and share workflows with other builders on the UiPath Forum.