OCR PDF - Make a Scanned PDF Searchable
Turn a scanned PDF into one you can search, select and copy text from. The pages look exactly the same.
Drop your scanned PDF here
or
Scanned PDFs up to 100 MB, 50 scanned pages per run
How to use OCR PDF - Make PDF Searchable
- 1Upload the scanned PDFA PDF made from a scanner or phone photos, where you cannot select the text. Up to 50 scanned pages per run.
- 2Choose the languageEnglish, Hindi, or both for documents that mix them. The right language makes a big difference to accuracy.
- 3Make it searchableEach scanned page is read and an invisible text layer is placed exactly over the words. The scan itself is not changed.
- 4Download and searchOpen the PDF and press Ctrl+F (Cmd+F on a Mac). You can now find, select and copy the text.
Your files are processed over an encrypted connection and deleted automatically within one hour. Nothing is shared with anyone.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a PDF searchable?
Upload the scanned PDF, pick the language and press Make Searchable. The text on each page is recognised (OCR) and stored as an invisible layer over the image, so the PDF looks the same but Ctrl+F, text selection and copy-paste now work.
Will the PDF look different afterwards?
No. The original page images are kept exactly as they were. The recognised text sits on top, invisible, in the same position as the words you can see.
How accurate is it?
Very good on clean printed scans at normal resolution. Accuracy drops on handwriting, faint photocopies, tiny print and photos taken at an angle. If a scan is skewed or upside down, straighten it with Rotate PDF first.
I have photos, not a PDF. What do I do?
Turn the photos into a PDF first with Scan Image to PDF, which also cleans up the background and contrast, then upload that PDF here.
Does it work on a PDF that already has text?
Pages that already have selectable text are skipped, so nothing is doubled up. If every page has text, the PDF is already searchable and you will be told so.
Is this tool free?
Yes. Every tool on WorkSathi is free to use with no sign up, no watermark on your result and no daily limit.
What happens to my files?
Files are uploaded over an encrypted connection, processed, and then deleted automatically within one hour. We never open, share or sell your documents.
Does it work on a phone?
Yes. The tools work in any modern browser on Windows, Mac, Android and iOS - there is nothing to install.
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