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Make a scanned PDF searchable
A scan is a picture of text: you cannot find a word in it or copy a line. Recognition puts an invisible layer of text under each page, so the document looks the same and behaves like text.
Drop a PDF here
- Pages look the same
- English and Ukrainian
- Search and copy after
How it works
How to OCR a PDF
Open the scan
Drop the scanned PDF here or choose it. The editor opens with the Recognize text tool ready.
Choose pages and language
Recognize the page on the screen or every page without text, in the language of the document.
Recognize, then search
Each page shows its progress, and you can stop at any time. Then find words with Ctrl+F and copy them. A free account downloads the PDF.
What you get
Text under the picture
Looks the same
The text goes in as an invisible layer under the scan: what you see does not change.
Read closely
Pages are read at 300 dpi, so small print has a chance too.
Only what needs it
Pages that already have text are skipped, so a mixed document is not read twice.
Undo per page
Each recognized page is one step in the history: undo takes its layer away.
FAQ
Questions and answers
Can I edit the recognized text?
No. It stays an invisible layer under the picture, there to be found and copied. To change words on a scan, add new text on top with the Add text tool.
Which languages can it read?
English and Ukrainian: either one, or both together for a document that mixes them.
What scans work best?
Sharp, straight pages with clear print. The clearer the scan, the fewer mistakes in the text.
Do I need an account?
Not to recognize and search. To download the searchable PDF, create a free account.