PDF problem
Scanned PDF not searchable
SymptomFind in your PDF reader returns no results, and you can't select or copy words.
Why it happens
- •The PDF contains page images from a scanner or phone, with no text layer.
- •A previous OCR was skipped or failed.
How to fix it
Run OCR
OCR PDF recognises the words and adds them as invisible text on top of each page, leaving the scan untouched.
Scan better next time
Scan at 200 to 300 DPI, straight and well lit, for the most accurate recognition.
Free, in your browser, no sign up and no watermark.
Open OCR PDFQuestions people ask
+Will OCR change the look of my PDF?
No. The text layer is invisible.
+Is OCR text always correct?
Not always. Check important numbers and names.
Related