Make Scanned PDFs Searchable with OCR

How to OCR a PDF online

1. Open the scanned PDF and choose the language used in the document.
2. Start text recognition and keep the page open while it processes.
3. Review the recognized text, then use an available advanced allowance or Pro access to save the required output.

Also recognize text in images

For a PDF with selectable headings and text inside images, enable “Also recognize text in images” before starting OCR. Then save a searchable PDF or continue to Word. Existing selectable text is kept, and overlapping OCR words are omitted to avoid duplicates. Review the result before using it.

Turn a scanned page into searchable text

A scan is a picture of a page. OCR recognizes the characters in that picture and can add a text layer so words become searchable and selectable.

A searchable PDF keeps the page appearance with a recognized text layer. If you need to change wording or work in a word processor, continue with the editor or PDF to Word after reviewing recognition.

Choose the language and check accuracy

Clear, straight scans generally give better recognition than blurry photos, low-resolution images or handwriting. Choose the appropriate document language and check important names and numbers.

Recognition models may download when first needed. The document itself is processed on your device. Large files can take longer and use significant memory. If needed, use Split PDF to create a smaller document first, then run OCR on that copy.

Try the tool with sample files

Samples contain generated demonstration content, not real customer data. Keep the source when comparing settings. An example result does not guarantee the same behavior for every PDF.

Recognize a scan whose words cannot be selected yet

The scan PDF below contains a picture of the fictional project note and no text layer. Try selecting its words in a PDF reader first. Then use it to practice English OCR and compare the recognized text with the intact text PDF.

Choose the language of the page content

Select English for this sample even if the tool interface is displayed in another language. Interface translation does not identify the language printed in an image. Recognition may download language resources and use substantial memory, so begin with this single page.

Check distinctive text rather than assuming every word is right

Inspect the reference DEMO-EN-001, the revision label and the name Example User. Pay attention to similar-looking digits and letters. A searchable PDF should let you find recognized text, but searchability does not prove that every character or the reading order is correct.

Check your result

• Confirm that the input scan has no selectable text.
• Choose English as the recognition language.
• Compare recognized codes and names with the source image.

Try it with fictional sample files

These are synthetic practice inputs, not customer documents or promised outputs. Keep the originals and inspect your own exported copies. Current allowances and Pro plans apply to advanced downloads.

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