Three simple steps
- Choose a scanned PDF and select the document language.
- Skip pages that already have enough selectable text, then run OCR on the remaining pages.
- Download the searchable copy and check important names, dates, and numbers.
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OCR PDF
Make printed text in scanned PDF pages searchable and selectable.
Drop your scanned PDF here
OCR adds a searchable text layer without replacing the page image.
One PDF · Up to 25 MB · 20 pages
0 pages
View & Edit guide
How to use OCR PDF
Add an invisible searchable text layer to printed scans so words can be found, selected, and copied without replacing the original page image.
How searchable OCR works
- The original page image remains visible while recognized lines are added as invisible selectable text.
- Mixed PDFs can keep existing searchable pages unchanged and recognize only image-based pages.
- Recognition works best with clear printed text; handwriting, blur, shadows, unusual layouts, and low contrast can reduce accuracy.
Frequently asked questions
Does OCR change how the PDF looks?
The tool keeps the original page appearance and adds an invisible searchable text layer.
Will OCR recognize handwriting?
It is designed for printed text. Handwriting may be missed or recognized incorrectly.
Should I check the recognized text?
Yes. Search, select, and copy important names, dates, totals, and identifiers from the downloaded file before relying on them.