A scanned PDF looks like text on screen, but the file stores page images. OCR reads characters from those images so you can search, copy, and convert the content.

Improve OCR accuracy

OCR works best with clear, flat pages photographed or scanned straight-on in even light. Higher resolution beats a blurry phone snapshot. After recognition, double-check names, numbers, and unusual terms, since those are the most common misreads.

OCR for scanned PDFs

For scanned PDF documents, use Scan to Text.

1. Open the tool that matches your file (Scan to Text or Image to Text).
2. Add your scan or photo (files up to 100 MB).
3. Copy or download the recognized text.

Convert images to text

For standalone photos or image files (receipts, whiteboards, printed pages), open Image to Text.

Next steps

After text is recognized, you can:

• PDF to Word
• Edit PDF

Need help with OCR?

OCR questions? Our support team is available 24/7: contact support.