PDF GUIDE4 min read•ToolTower Editorial
How to OCR a Scanned PDF and Extract Searchable Text
Transform flat, non-selectable scanned documents and smartphone photos of text into selectable, searchable, copyable PDF files.
FEATURED FREE TOOL
OCR PDF
Run genuine Optical Character Recognition to extract text from scanned PDFs.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these straightforward steps using ToolTower's free browser tools:
1. Upload Scanned PDF
Select your scanned document in ToolTower OCR PDF.
2. Optical Character Recognition Processing
ToolTower's OCR engine recognizes characters, detects language scripts, and maps glyphs to standard Unicode text.
3. Download Searchable PDF or Plain Text
Download a searchable PDF with an invisible text layer over the image, allowing you to highlight, search (Ctrl+F), and copy text.
Pro Tips & Best Practices
- Ensure scans are clear and reasonably straight for highest OCR accuracy (98%+ on 300 DPI scans).
- If text is faint, use photo editor contrast enhancement prior to running optical character recognition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an invisible text layer?
It is an invisible typographic layer placed directly beneath the scan imagery, allowing standard PDF viewers to search and highlight text while maintaining the original visual look of the scan.