Last updated: Jun. 22, 2017
This online PDF OCR editor lets you convert PDF files to editable formats like Word, Excel and Text for free. This online tool will let you extract images and text from your PDF. It offers multilingual OCR and supports up to 46 languages which include English, Danish, Chinese, Korean, Estonian, Finnish and more. Easily you can convert online any scanned PDF file or image to an editable Word Docx file with our online OCR Converter. Free Online OCR Convert JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, TIFF, PDF, DjVu to Text About NewOCR.com is a free online OCR (Optical Character Recognition) service, can analyze the text in any image file that you upload, and then convert the text from the image into text that you can easily edit on your computer.
PDF files are difficult to handle. Scanned PDFs are even harder to work. Because they are basically images. In general, all the texts and elements inside a PDF file are not editable, unless you can turn them into editable Word documents.
Is there a way to convert a scanned PDF to Word? Thanks to OCR technology, there are actually several ways to do that. In this article, we're going to show you four different methods to help you get the job done.
Depending how complex your scanned PDF files are, the best way to convert may vary.
- If you only need to handle a few simple yet so-not-important documents, method #1 and #2 should be enough;
- If your PDFs contain sensitive or confidential data, we recommend method #3 and #4 which are software that can run offline.
What is OCR & Why You Need It?
Image courtesy Wikipedia
OCR, short for Optical Character Recognition, is a technology that helps convert a scanned PDF file or image into a searchable document. For example, suppose you have a paper receipt from a grocery store that includes an extensive list of items purchased, and you need to record all the items in your computer. You can first scan the receipt using a scanner and save it as a PDF file or an image.
With OCR technology, you can then convert the scanned file to an editable Word document. After that, you are able to directly copy all the texts and numbers in the digital receipt and paste them anywhere you want. Without OCR, you'll have to manually type and record the data which tend to be very time-consuming.
Okay, now you understand what OCR is. Let's move on to the topic: 4 OCR tools you can rely on to convert scanned PDFs into Words.
Method 1: Google Docs OCR
To the surprise of many of us, Google has actually integrated its OCR technology into Google online document products, and it's free to use. All you need to do is check off an option before you upload your scanned PDF files. Follow the step by step guide below:
- First off, you need to have a Google account. If you don't, register one here. Log into your account.
- Open a web browser (Chrome, Safari, etc.) and visit Google Drive.
- On the top right corner, click the gear icon for Settings.
- On the new pop-up window, check this option 'Convert uploaded files to Google Docs editor format'
- Click the blue 'Done' button.
- Next, on the left pane, click the red 'New' button > File Upload > select your scanned PDF file > click Open.
- Once uploaded, select the PDF you just uploaded, right click and move to 'open with', then select 'Google Docs' option.
- Wait for a few seconds, the texts on your scanned PDF will be extracted below the image file. That's it.
Method 2: Free Online OCR Conversion Services
In a few Google searches, you'll find a wide range of such online OCR services available on the Internet. We haven't tried each of them, as it's unlikely that we can. But we want to remind you the security concerns these options may impose, especially those services that do not disclose how they are going to deal with the documents you upload to their servers.
Therefore, use this option at your own discretions. We highly recommend you not to upload any scanned documents that contain private or confidential data. Having said that, here's a list of free OCR services that you may find helpful:
Convert Pdf To Ocr Pdf
- OnlineOCR.net — able to extract text from PDFs and images. Output formats include: Word, Excel, Text. Support 46 languages. Max file size: 5MB.
- Free-Online-OCR.com — just select your PDF file, specify 'Word Document' output format, and click 'Convert'. Soon a downloadable file will be available.
- PDFToWord.Pro — drag your PDFs (up to 10 files) and drop them to the zone, select the conversion method to be 'OCR text recognition' and hit 'Convert'.
Pdf To Pdf Ocr Converter Online
Method 3: PDFelement OCR (for Windows PCs)
Pdf To Word Converter
PDFelement with OCR can do a number of things. Besides converting PDF files to Word and many other formats, it also allows you to create PDFs, directly edit scanned PDFs, add/fill forms, secure & sign, etc.
Pdf To Pdf Ocr Converter Free
To convert scanned PDF files into Word documents, you'll need to get the OCR version which is going to cost a bit more. But the quality of output files is much better than other free alternatives. The program is compatible with Windows 10, 8, 7.
Method 4: PDFpenPro (for Macs)
Similar to PDFelement for Windows PCs, PDFpen from Smile Software is the ultimate PDF solution for Mac users. The software integrates a set of small yet powerful utilities into one and allows you to quickly modify and organize any PDF files as you want. Converting a scanned PDF file to Word doc is incredibly easy. Just install the program on your Mac. Open the app and upload the scanned PDFs , specify the output format to be Word documents, wait for a few minutes and you'll see high-quality editable Word docs. The software is compatible with all major OS X including latest macOS Sierra.
Pdf To Word
What's your favorite method?
These are the four ways we wanted to share with you. As we said in the beginning, the best solution can vary from case to case. Which method(s) do you find most effective and efficient? Or do you find any other awesome solutions?
Leave a comment below and let us know.
Pdf To Ocr Converter software, free download
Influenced by the startup culture in the Silicon Valley, Jessica loves building things from zero to one and is keen on following news related to the Big Five tech giants and many SaaS startups.