Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for PDFs

Convert scanned documents and images into selectable, searchable PDF text.

Upload your scanned document, select recognition languages, and run OCR to generate a searchable PDF.

Encrypted transmission and memory-isolated OCR workers.

How it works

  1. Upload Scanned File — Select the scanned PDF or image file.
  2. Select Language — Pick the document language for maximum OCR accuracy.
  3. Download Searchable PDF — Export a PDF with an invisible text layer allowing copy/paste and search.

Key features

  • Multi-Language Support — Accurate recognition for English, Spanish, German, French, Chinese, and 20+ languages.
  • Invisible Text Overlay — Retains the original visual look while making text copyable and searchable.
  • High-Accuracy Engine — Handles skewed, low-contrast, and multi-column scans.

Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for PDFs: detailed guide

turning scanned pages into searchable and selectable text This page is designed for scanned contracts, receipts, books, forms, archives, and image-only PDFs.

When this page is the right choice

Use this page when the requested PDF outcome matches the page intent and you want a focused operation without unnecessary format changes.

Who benefits from this workflow

scanned contracts, receipts, books, forms, archives, and image-only PDFs can use this page when the goal is a specific, repeatable document outcome rather than a general PDF edit. Start with the smallest operation that solves the problem, then use a related PDF tool only when the output requires another deliberate step.

Turning scanned pages into searchable and selectable text: practical workflow

Start with the source document and define the exact output you need. Turning scanned pages into searchable and selectable text. Choose the relevant options, process the file, and inspect the result before replacing or sharing the original.

Before you process the document

Keep a copy of the original when the operation changes pages, text, structure, permissions, or file format. Confirm the intended output format and review the source for password protection, scanned pages, unusual fonts, tables, signatures, and other elements that may affect the result.

Quality checks before you finish

Before you finish, test recognition on names, dates, numbers, tables, and representative pages. Keep the original when the operation changes or replaces document structure, and verify the output in a normal PDF viewer when the document is important.

Common mistake to avoid

Assuming the tool can preserve every document feature without checking the output, especially with scans, tables, signatures, unusual fonts, or complex layouts. This is especially important when the PDF contains signatures, financial values, legal clauses, personal information, or other material that must remain accurate.

What to do after processing

Open the output and check the pages that matter most: the first page, a representative middle page, and the final page. For conversions, also inspect tables, images, links, headings, and page breaks. For security-sensitive operations, confirm that the intended protection or removal behavior actually works before distribution.

What to do next

Upload your scanned document, select recognition languages, and run OCR to generate a searchable PDF. Convert scanned documents and images into selectable, searchable PDF text. The page also supports multi-language support, invisible text overlay, high-accuracy engine as part of a broader document workflow.

Related PDF tasks

PDF to Word, Compress PDF, Scan to PDF, Repair PDF

Frequently asked questions

What languages are supported?

Over 25 major languages including Latin, Cyrillic, and CJK character sets.

Can I export text directly to Markdown or TXT?

Yes, you can extract plain text, Markdown, or download a searchable PDF.

Explore PDF topic hubs

Continue from this page into the broader PDF topic that matches your task.