How to use OCR PDF

Make scanned letters, forms and study notes searchable without changing their visible pages. OCR adds a hidden text layer so a PDF reader can find and copy recognised words.

Open OCR PDF · Read the guide

How to: step-by-step

  1. Select the scanned PDF, then wait for its page count.
  2. Choose English, Telugu, Hindi, or English + Telugu to match the document.
  3. Leave Pages to OCR blank for all pages, or enter a range such as 1-3,5. Unselected pages remain in the file.
  4. Create the searchable PDF, wait for completion, and download it. Search for a word on several pages to check the result.

Tips for better results

  • Start with a clear, straight scan and the correct language.
  • For a long document on a phone, test one page before processing more.

Common pitfalls

  • A page can look correct but contain misrecognised words. Check names, dates and numbers against the scan.
  • Telugu alphabet charts, decorative fonts and watermarks can give poor results.

Worked example

Example: for a 13-page scanned report, enter 1-13 or leave the range blank. After downloading, search for a distinctive word from pages 1, 7 and 13. Also copy a sentence from each into a text editor. A successful search on page 1 alone does not verify the remaining pages.

Before you finish

OCR does not guarantee exact transcription. Language data downloads on first use; your PDF is processed locally.

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