badloA scanned PDF is only a picture of a page, so you can't search it or copy from it. OCR reads the words and adds them to the file, while the pages look the same.
How to use the OCR PDF
- Upload your scanned PDF.
- Press the button and wait while each page is read.
- Search and copy text in your new PDF.
What to expect
Looks the same
Your scanned pages don't change. The recognized text is added invisibly behind them.
Best for clear English
Clear, printed English gives the best results. Urdu, Arabic and Hindi aren't supported, and handwriting usually won't read well.
Up to 50 pages
Larger files can be divided with Split PDF first. Pages that already have text are skipped.
Getting better OCR results
Not sure what kind of PDF you have? Read our guide to scanned and digital PDFs.
- Scan at 200 to 300 DPI if you can.
- Fix sideways pages with Rotate PDF first.
- Use good light and a flat page if you're photographing paper.
How OCR PDF works
Each scanned page is read as a picture, and the words found are placed invisibly in the same positions. When you search, select or copy, you're using that hidden text. Your scan stays visible, so it won't look any different. Our guide on making a scanned PDF searchable explains how to get the best results.
What affects accuracy
| Helps | Hurts |
|---|---|
| Sharp, straight, well-lit pages | Blurry photos and crooked pages |
| Clear printed English | Handwriting, Urdu, Arabic and Hindi |
| Dark text on a plain background | Stamps, patterns and faded ink |
| Normal text sizes | Very tiny print |
Frequently asked questions
What does OCR mean?
Optical character recognition. It's software that reads the letters in a picture of text.
How do I make a scanned PDF searchable?
Upload it here and press the button. Text is added to a new PDF that you can search and copy from.
How accurate is it?
It depends on the scan. Sharp, straight, printed pages work well. Always check important names and numbers.
Can I then edit it in Word?
OCR makes the words searchable and easy to copy, but the page itself stays a picture. Copy the text into a document if you need to edit it.
Is my scan stored?
Your files are only used for this job and are deleted from the server afterwards.
Why was no new text found?
The PDF may already have text, or the scan may be too blurry to read.
Helpful guides
- How to Make a Scanned PDF SearchableUse OCR to search and copy text from a scan, and get cleaner results.
- Scanned PDF vs Digital PDF: How to Tell the DifferenceA 10-second test to tell them apart, and why it decides what you can convert.
- How to Convert a PDF to Word Without Losing FormattingWhy layouts shift in Word, and how to keep fonts, tables and page breaks in place.
