How to Extract/Copy Text from PDF Image
“I have some thesis materials scanned into PDF files. But now I need to edit and copy text from the PDF files. Is there any way to extract text from scanned PDF? Help, please! “ —James
Creating text files to PDF is much easier than converting scanned PDF to text, huh? Yes, there are so many word-processing programs providing you simple ways to create PDF files, while less apps for extracting text from scanned PDF. It takes some elbow grease to extract text from scanned PDF. But it does not mean you cannot do it.
Scanned PDF file is not text-based PDF file. It is a kind of image, on which you cannot edit or copy text. In that case, if you want to extract text from PDF image, you need an OCR supported PDF Converter. OCR is a technology to translate scanned PDF to text. This article tells you how to copy text from PDF image by using the powerful PDF Converter Pro, within which OCR is supported.
Free download PDF Converter Pro
If you are a Mac user, please get the mac version, PDF Converter Pro for Mac.
You can launch the PDF Converter Pro by ticking “launch the app right now” during the installation or click the quick start icon on the desk top. By default, the OCR is enabled with the OCR button on the right.
Step 2. Import scanned PDF files and choose text as the output format
Drag and drop PDF files to the app. Batch conversion is allowed here, so you can add a pile of scanned PDF files. Then choose “Text” in the panel as the output format.
Step 3. Choose the right language for the output files
Click “Options” on the main interface. Then under the “OCR” tab, tick the language for the output text files.
Step 4. Start to copy text from scanned PDF
Hit the big “Convert” button at the bottom of the main interface to extract text from scanned PDF. A progress bar in the “Status” column could display the status of the process. It might take a few minutes since the OCR is performing. But do not worry! The PDF Converter Pro is powerful enough to handle the rest for you.
