OCR PDF: make scans searchable
Recognize the text in a scanned PDF so you can search, select and copy it, while every page keeps looking exactly like the original scan.
or drop it here · up to 100 MB
$1.95, one timeNo subscriptionFile never stored
How to use OCR PDF (make searchable)
- Choose or drop your scanned PDF.
- We read the text on each page and add an invisible text layer.
- Pay once and download your searchable PDF.
What to expect
A scan is a photo of paper, so a PDF viewer can't search or copy its words. OCR (optical character recognition) reads the text in the image and places an invisible layer of real text behind it. The page looks the same, but Ctrl+F, copy and paste, screen readers and search indexes now work.
Pages that already contain real text are left alone, so mixed documents are handled correctly. English text is recognized in this version. Clear, straight, high-contrast scans give the best results.
After OCR you can convert the PDF to Word, Excel or text, which isn't possible with a plain scan.
OCR PDF (make searchable) FAQ
Will my pages look different?
No. The scan stays exactly as it was; the recognized text is added as an invisible layer behind it.
Which languages are supported?
English is recognized in this version. More languages, starting with Spanish and French, are planned.
Can I convert the result to Word?
Yes. Once the PDF is searchable, PDF to Word and PDF to Excel can read its text.
What if some pages already have text?
Pages that already contain real text are detected and skipped, so only the scanned pages are processed.