Azure AI Document Intelligence: How It Works and How to Create It
As an Azure expert, I regularly help organizations simplify the way they handle documents. Many teams still rely on manual processes to manage invoices, receipts, and contracts. This slows them down, adds extra costs, and leaves too much room for error. My goal is to guide these teams toward smarter tools that save time and improve accuracy.
Imagine being able to upload a stack of files and get clean, structured data back within seconds. No repeated typing, no missing details, and no wasted hours. That is the advantage Azure AI Document Intelligence brings. It transforms everyday paperwork into an automated process and allows teams to focus on meaningful work instead of manual entry.
How Azure AI Document Intelligence Works
According to Microsoft, “Document Intelligence (previously Form Recognizer) is a cloud-based Azure AI service that uses machine learning to extract key-value pairs, text, and tables from your documents.”
In simple terms, it is a smart service that can scan and understand documents. It reads both digital and scanned files, recognizes text, pulls out important details like names or invoice amounts, and even detects structured tables. Developers can connect this service to apps through APIs and SDKs, which makes it easy to integrate into existing workflows. The end result is faster document handling, fewer errors, and reliable data that can be used immediately.
Why People Need AI Document Intelligence
Manual document handling consumes time and money, while also leaving room for mistakes. AI Document Intelligence solves this problem by making the process automatic, accurate, and scalable.
Take the example of a logistics company that manages thousands of shipping receipts every week. Without automation, employees spend hours entering delivery addresses, customer names, and payment details into spreadsheets. Mistakes are common, and the workload keeps growing. By switching to Azure AI Document Intelligence, the company can scan all receipts and instantly extract every key detail. Staff can then use that time to plan routes, improve customer service, and focus on business growth.
This is more than a time-saving tool. It is a way to work smarter, reduce stress on teams, and give organizations the freedom to concentrate on the activities that create real value.
How to Create a Document Intelligence Resource
Setting up Document Intelligence in Azure is straightforward. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Sign in to Azure Portal
Log in to the Azure portal with your account. On the home page, click Create a resource.
Step 2: Search for Document Intelligence
Type “Document Intelligence” into the search bar. There you will git the list of different results. To get the real service options, check the “Azure services only“ and move forward. See the screenshot below.
Select the subscription and plan, then click Create.
Step 3: Fill in the Details
Provide the required details on the form:
- Subscription: Select your Azure subscription
- Resource Group: Choose an existing one or create a new group
- Region: Pick the nearest Azure region
- Name: Enter a clear and unique name
- Pricing Tier: Use the free tier (F0) for testing or select a paid option
The final process may take some time. So, be patient….
Step 4: Review and Create
Click Review + create. Azure will validate your settings.
Once the system shows “Validation Passed,” click Create to deploy your resource.
Step 5: Collect Endpoint and Keys
When deployment is finished, select ‘Go to resource’. In the left menu, open Keys and Endpoint.
Copy your key and endpoint, as you will need them to connect Document Intelligence to your applications.
Conclusion
Azure AI Document Intelligence makes handling documents faster, more accurate, and less stressful. Removing manual data entry allows organizations to save time and focus on strategic work. Whether it is invoices, receipts, or contracts, this tool ensures that information is captured and structured with ease. Setting it up only takes a few steps, and once deployed, it can completely change the way businesses manage their documents.
If you would like to discuss this further or explore how it can fit into your projects, feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn. I am always happy to share insights and help teams make the most of Azure solutions.
