OCR Scanner
Extract text from scanned PDF documents
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.PDF files • Max 200MB
Use OCR to extract searchable text from scanned PDF pages. OCR works best with clear, high-contrast scans and may need proofreading.
How to use OCR Scanner
- 1.Select a scanned PDF.
- 2.Start OCR processing and wait for recognition to finish.
- 3.Download or review the extracted text result.
About this PDF tool
Optical character recognition turns page images into machine-readable text. Tables, handwriting, multiple columns, and low-quality scans can reduce accuracy.
Common uses
- Search a scanned archive
- Copy text from a paper scan
- Make a receipt or form easier to reference
Privacy and local processing
SelfPDF’s core PDF file tools are designed for browser-based processing without an account. AI-powered tools may send the text needed for their AI task to an external AI service. Process only files you are authorized to use, and keep a local backup of important originals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can OCR read handwriting?
Handwriting recognition is not guaranteed and usually needs careful review.
Is OCR always accurate?
No. Proofread names, numbers, tables, and formatting before relying on the result.
What scans work best?
Clear, upright, high-resolution pages with strong contrast generally produce better results.