OCR PDF Files Online
Use AI-powered PDF OCR to recognize and extract text from scanned and image-based PDF files online.
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- Free credits available
- AI-powered extraction
How to OCR a PDF
Recognize text inside a scanned or image-based PDF in three simple steps.
- 1
1. Upload Your PDF
Upload the scanned or image-based PDF you want to process.
- 2
2. Recognize Text with OCR
AI-powered OCR analyzes each supported page and recognizes visible text, numbers, and document content.
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Search, Copy or Download the Result
Review the recognized content and use the available copy or export options.
OCR Scanned PDF Documents
Scanned PDFs often contain page images instead of selectable text. PDF OCR analyzes those page images and recognizes the characters inside them so the document content can become machine-readable.
Recognize and Copy Text from PDF Files
Use OCR to recognize text that cannot normally be selected or copied from a scanned PDF. Once recognized, the content can be searched, copied, reviewed, or reused with the output options supported by the tool.
Scanned PDF page
Recognized text
PDF OCR Online for Free
Try PDF OCR online for free without installing desktop OCR software. Free usage is limited, while additional credits and advanced processing features are available when you need to process more PDF pages.
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- Limited free OCR
- Limited pages/file size
- No subscription required
Free account
- Daily credits
- Credit cap
- Reward credits
Need PDF Tables in Excel?
PDF OCR is useful when you need to recognize text in a scanned document. If your PDF contains tables and you need rows, columns, numbers, and structured spreadsheet data, use PDF to Excel instead.
PDF OCR
Recognize document content
PDF OCR = recognize document content · PDF to Excel = extract structured spreadsheet data
Why Use Our PDF OCR Tool?
OCR for Scanned PDFs
Recognize text inside image-based and scanned PDF pages.
PDF Text Recognition
Turn non-selectable PDF content into machine-readable text.
Online Processing
OCR PDF files in your browser without installing desktop software.
Structured Data Workflows
Move to PDF to Excel when you need table extraction and spreadsheet output.
Browser-Based OCR
Process PDF OCR tasks online without desktop software.
Learn More About PDF OCR
How to Make a Scanned PDF Searchable with OCR
Make a scanned PDF searchable with OCR by adding a text layer. Unlock find, copy, and reuse on image-based documents that previously behaved like pictures.
ImageToExcel Team
Why Can't I Search or Copy Text from a Scanned PDF?
Learn why you cannot search or copy text from a scanned PDF, what a missing text layer means, and how PDF OCR restores readable content you can reuse.
ImageToExcel Team
PDF OCR vs PDF to Excel: Which Should You Use?
Compare PDF OCR and PDF to Excel so you pick the right tool. Use OCR for searchable text, or PDF to Excel when you need structured spreadsheet tables.
ImageToExcel TeamPDF OCR FAQ
What is PDF OCR?
PDF OCR recognizes text inside scanned or image-based PDF pages and turns it into machine-readable content.
How do I OCR a PDF?
Upload your PDF, run OCR, review recognized text, then copy or use the result.
Can OCR recognize text in a scanned PDF?
Yes. PDF OCR is designed for scanned and image-based PDF pages.
Can PDF OCR make a PDF searchable?
OCR can recognize the text, but the current tool does not generate a downloadable searchable PDF.
Can I OCR a PDF online?
Yes. Use PDF OCR directly in your browser.
Can I OCR a PDF for free?
You can try PDF OCR for free with limited usage.
What is the difference between a scanned PDF and a searchable PDF?
A scanned PDF contains page images. A searchable PDF includes a machine-readable text layer that allows searching inside the document.
What is the difference between PDF OCR and Online OCR?
Online OCR is a general OCR tool for supported file types. PDF OCR is specifically optimized around OCR tasks involving PDF and scanned PDF documents.
What is the difference between PDF OCR and PDF to Excel?
PDF OCR focuses on recognizing text in PDF pages. PDF to Excel focuses on extracting tables and structured data into spreadsheet rows and columns.
Can PDF OCR convert PDF to Word?
The PDF OCR tool focuses on OCR recognition. Dedicated Word export is not currently supported.
Can PDF OCR extract tables?
OCR can recognize characters inside tables, but preserving rows, columns and spreadsheet structure requires table extraction. Use PDF to Excel for that workflow.
OCR Your PDF Online
Upload a scanned PDF and recognize the text inside it with AI-powered OCR.