PDF OCR Extract Text from Scanned PDFs
Use LOVEPDFFREE PDF OCR to turn scanned or image-based PDF documents into editable text in just a few seconds. Our online OCR (Optical Character Recognition) tool runs in your browser, so there is no software to install and no account required. Simply upload your PDF, click extract, and copy your text.
What Is PDF OCR and How Does It Work?
OCR (Optical Character Recognition) is a technology that scans an image or scanned document and detects the shapes of letters and numbers to recreate them as editable text. Many PDFs, especially scanned documents or photos turned into PDF, are just images and cannot be searched or copied normally. OCR solves this by analyzing each page and converting visible text into digital characters.
With LOVEPDFFREE online PDF OCR tool, you do not need any complex software. Everything happens in your browser using a simple, step-by-step process. This is perfect for digitizing printed contracts, receipts, study material, forms, or any document where you need to copy or edit the text.
How to Extract Text from PDF Online
Using the OCR tool on LOVEPDFFREE is simple and takes just a few steps:
- Click the upload area and select your scanned PDF file.
- Wait for the file to upload securely to the server.
- Click the Extract Text from PDF button to start OCR.
- Once processing is complete, the recognized text will appear in the text area below.
- Copy the extracted text and paste it into Word, Google Docs, or anywhere you need.
Why Use LOVEPDFFREE PDF OCR Tool
- Completely free to use with no hidden fees.
- No registration or account creation required.
- Works on scanned PDFs, photos, and image-based documents converted to PDF.
- Fast processing with a simple, clean interface.
- Privacy-focused: files are processed securely and removed after conversion.
- Works on desktop, laptop, tablets, and mobile devices.
Common Uses for PDF OCR
PDF OCR is useful in many situations where you receive a document that cannot be edited directly. Popular use cases include:
- Digitizing printed notes or books for study.
- Extracting text from scanned invoices or receipts.
- Converting contracts into editable format.
- Copying text from forms, ID scans, or official letters.
- Archiving printed material in searchable digital form.
PDF OCR vs Regular PDF Conversion
A regular PDF that was created from Word or another editor already contains selectable text, so it can be converted directly to Word using a PDF to Word converter. However, scanned PDFs are different; they are often just images. In those cases, OCR is required before you can edit or search the text. That is where LOVEPDFFREE PDF OCR tool becomes essential.