OCR and extract text

Make a scanned PDF searchable, or pull the text out of any PDF.

About OCR and extract text

OCR and extract text reads the characters already stored in a PDF, and recognizes them from the page image when there are none. You get a searchable PDF that looks exactly like the original, or just the plain text.

Runs entirely in your browser. Your files never leave your device.

How to use it

1.Open the scan and check the pages are upright, sharp, high in contrast, and in the language you expect.
2.Run recognition over the pages you need and let the local engine work through each page image.
3.Search and copy a few passages, then check the names, numbers, and dates that matter against the scan.

Options

Telling it the language gives recognition the right character and word patterns to expect.
Cleaning up and straightening the scan first raises the quality of everything after it.

Limitations

Recognition is a guess at every character. Similar letters, columns, handwriting, stamps, and soft text all trip it up.
Searchable is not the same as accurate. Do not lean on raw OCR for legal, medical, or financial detail.

Common questions

What scan resolution should I use?

300 DPI is the usual starting point for printed text, though sharp focus, contrast, and straight pages matter just as much.

Why does it misread the numbers in a statement?

Grid lines, compression, stains, and narrow columns confuse digits. Check every figure that matters against the page image.

Next stepPDF readerOpen the searchable copy and read it against the scan.