How To Extract Text From Images in PDF

When you get a scanned PDF or a screenshot saved as a PDF, it can feel like the text is locked inside the image. You can’t select it, copy it, or search for anything. That is exactly where OCR can help.

With Smallpdf’s OCR feature, you can extract text from images in PDF directly in your browser, then copy it, edit it, or convert it to Word or TXT.

You can then copy text, update the content, or combine it with other Smallpdf features like Convert PDF to Word or Compress PDF.

OCR (Optical Character Recognition) is a technology that scans images and recognizes text, then converts it into a machine-readable format.

When you have a PDF that is actually just a photo of a page, OCR:

• Scans the image

• Detects shapes and patterns that look like letters and numbers

• Builds words and lines out of those shapes

• Adds a hidden text layer behind the image

After OCR, you can search, copy, and index the document like any regular text-based PDF.

OCR works best when:

• The text is printed, not handwritten.

• The contrast is high, such as black text on a white background.

• The document is straight, not skewed or rotated.

• The resolution is high enough for the letters to look sharp.

In other words, the clearer the scan, the better the result.

Using an online OCR feature is usually the fastest way to extract text from images in PDF, especially if you do not want to install extra software.

Step 1: Upload Your PDF Image

Open Smallpdf and go to the PDF OCR feature. Drag and drop your PDF into the upload area, or click “Choose File” to browse from your device.

You can also import files directly from Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive if your scanned PDF is stored in the cloud.

Step 2: Choose Your Output Format

Once your file is uploaded, you will see options for the output format. You can:

• Keep it as a PDF for a searchable document with a text layer.

• Choose Word (DOCX) for a fully editable document.

• Select TXT to get plain text only.

Pick the format that best fits your next step. For example, use Word if you need to rewrite a contract, or TXT if you only need the raw text for analysis.

Step 3: Wait for Processing

Our cloud-based OCR analyzes each page, looks at the images, and detects letters, numbers, and words.

Processing time depends on file size and page count, but most documents finish in under a minute.

Step 4: Review the Recognized Text

When OCR is done, you can preview the result. Scroll through a few pages and:

• Try selecting text with your mouse.

• Check headings, numbers, and special characters.

• Look at any small or light-font text to confirm it was captured.

If something looks off, you can run OCR again on a higher-quality scan or adjust your source file.

Step 5: Download and Use Your New File

Once you are happy with the result, click “Download.” Save the new file to your device or send it straight back to Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive.

From there, you can search inside the document, copy specific parts, or open it in your favorite editor to update the content.

Once OCR has processed your PDF, working with the text becomes much easier.

How To Copy Text From a Scanned PDF Image

To copy text from a PDF image after OCR:

1. Open your processed PDF in your viewer of choice.

2. Click and drag over the text. If it highlights, OCR worked.

3. Press “Ctrl+C” (or “Cmd+C” on Mac) to copy.

4. Paste it with “Ctrl+V” (or “Cmd+V”) into Word, email, or any editor.

If you can’t highlight anything, the PDF still doesn’t have a text layer. You may need to run OCR again or check the image quality.

Convert a PDF Image to Word or TXT With OCR

If you plan to heavily edit the content, converting the entire PDF image to Word or TXT is often better than copying and pasting.

• Word (DOCX) keeps layout, fonts, and images, so you can edit the document while keeping the original structure.

• TXT gives you plain text with no formatting, which is helpful for data analysis, scripts, or importing into other systems.

With Smallpdf’s OCR feature, you get exactly the file you need when processing finishes.

OCR is not just for single English documents. You can use it in more advanced ways, too.

Multi-language PDFs

If your PDF includes more than one language, OCR can still work as long as those languages are supported. For example, a research paper with English body text and German references can be recognized in both languages. You may see slightly lower accuracy, so it is worth double-checking names and technical terms.

Multi-page and batch scanning

You can upload multi-page PDFs and process them in one go, instead of page by page. This is useful for:

• Large contracts or reports

• Entire scanned archives

• Combined invoices or receipts

Many teams also batch files. For instance, an accounting team might export a month of scanned receipts as a single PDF, run OCR once, then search for vendor names and totals.

Mixed content documents

If your PDF has both images and text, OCR will add text layers for the image-only sections. The original text remains as it is, so you get a fully searchable file across both types of content.

Good input quality is the best way to improve OCR accuracy. A few simple habits make a big difference.

Tips for better OCR results:

• Scan at 300 DPI or higher for crisp text.

• Keep pages as flat and straight as possible.

• Use good lighting and strong contrast when taking photos.

• Avoid busy backgrounds or patterned paper.

• Use clear, standard fonts for printed documents.

Common OCR limitations:

• Handwritten text is often recognized poorly and may need manual typing.

• Very small fonts can be missed or misread.

• Text printed over images or gradients is harder to detect.

• Damaged, faded, or blurry scans will reduce accuracy.

If you are working with very old documents or complex designs, expect some clean-up afterward.

Sometimes, even after OCR, you may still have issues with text selection or copying. Here is what to check.

1. Check if the PDF is still image-only

Try selecting a single word. If nothing highlights, the page is still just an image, so OCR did not run or did not finish. Upload the file again and repeat the OCR process.

2. Look for security restrictions

Some PDFs block copying. If you see error messages about permissions, you may need to unlock the file first using a feature like Unlock PDF, assuming you have the right to do so.

3. Re-run OCR on problem pages

In complex layouts with columns or tables, some text may be skipped. Try running OCR again on smaller sections or individual pages.

4. Use screenshots as a workaround

If you get a “PDF insufficient permission for text extraction” error, you may not be allowed to copy text from that file. One workaround is to take a screenshot of the visible page and then run OCR on that image instead.

Extracting text from images in PDF does not need to be complicated. With OCR, you can unlock the text inside scans, screenshots, and image-only PDFs and reuse it wherever you need.

We see teams use Smallpdf OCR every day to digitize contracts, pull data from invoices, and make research papers searchable. You can do the same in just a few clicks.