Scan PDF to Text: Read the Words in a Scanned PDF (OCR)

A scanned PDF is really a set of pictures. You can read it, but you cannot select a line, search for a number or copy an address. If you have ever typed out a supplier bill by hand, you know the problem. This guide explains what the Scan tool does and how it cuts down on retyping.

What Scan PDF to text does

You add a scanned PDF and the tool recognises the text on its pages. There are no settings to choose. English text gives the best results.

This tool runs in your browser, so the file is never uploaded. Scanned pages take a few seconds each to read.

• Accepts PDF files, one or many at a time.
• No options to set.
• Works best on English text.
• Gives you the recognised text to download.
• Free, with no sign-in.

How to use it

Start with the clearest scan you have. If your document is a set of phone photos, turn them into a PDF with Image to PDF first.

• Open Scan PDF to text and choose your scanned PDFs, or drop them on the page.
• Press Scan PDF. The text is recognised in your browser.
• Download the recognised text as a text file.
• Compare it with the scan and correct anything that was read wrongly.

How it helps sellers

Paper still runs a big part of small business. Suppliers hand over printed bills. Transporters give paper receipts. Old agreements sit in a file as scans. When you need a GSTIN, an address or a list of items from one of these, OCR lets you copy the text in place of typing it.

It is also the first step when you want to edit a scanned document. PDF to Word gives editable text only for PDFs that contain real text, so a scanned PDF needs the Scan tool first.

• Copy supplier names, GST numbers and addresses from scanned purchase bills into your records.
• Pull item lists from a printed quotation in place of typing each line.
• Get the wording of an old scanned agreement or policy so you can reuse it.
• Make the text of scanned papers available to paste into an email for your CA.

Tips for a clean result

OCR reads what it can see. The clearer the page, the less you will have to correct.

• Scan pages straight and flat, in good light, without shadows or folds.
• Use Rotate PDF first if pages are sideways or upside down.
• Always check numbers by eye: amounts, invoice numbers, GSTIN and phone numbers.
• Expect printed English text to read better than handwriting or other languages.

Common questions