Sometimes, we need to extract the content from the scanned PDF files to text, and that's when PDF to text OCR functionality comes in very handy. OCR acronym for Optical Character Recognition. Many PDF programs come with the OCR feature, which makes scanned PDF documents searchable and editable.
If it's your very first time looking for the best free PDF OCR solution out there, we can understand how challenging it can be. But no worries!! This post will introduce the top free PDF OCR tools and how to OCR a PDF on Windows and Mac.
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- Best Free PDF OCR Software for Windows and Mac
- Best 3 Free PDF OCR Online Tools
- How to OCR a PDF Without Effort?
- More Answers About Free PDF OCR Solutions
Best Free PDF OCR Software for Windows and Mac
There is abundant third-party software on Windows and Mac. Come and find the best tool for you to OCR a PDF.
EaseUS PDF Editor
EaseUS PDF Editor is an excellent PDF OCR software. This program can recognize and convert image-based PDF to an editable format and accurately detect and convert as many as 29 languages, such as English, French, German, Japanese, etc.
What's more, this Windows PDF editor enables you to edit and manage your PDF files like below:
- Insert, delete, reorder, extract, crop, or rotate PDF pages with ease
- Add comment, lines, or highlight PDF documents
- Add or remove password from PDF
- Sign your PDF effortlessly
Want to explore more information? Just click the below button to get it. And there is a tutorial that guides you to OCR a PDF using this tool, and you can follow it to use the OCR feature easily.
Step 1. Click Create and choose From file from the top left corner
If you want to OCR from an existing PDF file, click from the File option on the top left corner to start the process.
Step 2. Click OCR on the toolbar
After clicking OCR on the menu, select the language, then wait for a couple of seconds.
Step 3. Edit your PDF as you wish
You can use crop, rotate, combine, etc. features according to your needs. There are several features, and it allows you to manage this process easily and effortlessly.
Step 4. Click Save to keep the changes
When you are finished with editing, click save to keep the changes. You can also click save as and type a new file name if you want to keep the old version unchanged.
Adobe Acrobat DC
With its OCR functionality, you can easily convert your scanned PDFs or images into editable and searchable documents. It can perform OCR on PDFs that contain vector art, images, hidden text, or a blend of these elements.
Above all, the OCR tool in Adobe Acrobat DC offers many editing features, including text recognition, combining files, adding comments, and more.
Pros:
- Support cutting and pasting the text into other apps
- Work with many languages
- Accurately match fonts
- A free trial is available
Cons:
- Lots of features can overwhelm beginners
URL: https://acrobat.adobe.com/us/en/acrobat/how-to/ocr-software-convert-pdf-to-text.html
PDF OCR X
You can also count on PDF OCR X to help you convert scanned PDF documents into searchable PDFs or text documents with ease. It comes with advanced OCR functionality to extract the text from PDFs, even if it is in an image.
Above all, this PDF OCR-free solution is exclusively designed to handle PDFs created using a scan-to-PDF tool.
Pros:
- Drag and drop functionality to upload documents
- Able to convert PDFs to both text or searchable PDFs
- Support JPEG, PNG, BMP, and more image formats
- Support more than 60 languages
Cons:
- Lack editing features
URL: https://solutions.weblite.ca/pdfocrx/index.php
Readiris
When looking for a PDF to Word OCR solution, Readris serves the purpose best. Supporting both Windows and Mac, the tool can convert PDFs, texts, and images in a scanned document to modify in the format of your preference, including Word.
Its new added features such as a new recognition engine, new user interface, and faster document management make it even more remarkable as a PDF OCR solution or even more.
Pros:
- Various editing features are available
- User-friendly interface
- Open files faster
Cons:
- Lack a forever-free version
URL: https://www.irislink.com/zh-Hans-chn/c1810/IRIS---The-World-leader-in-OCR--PDF-and-Portable-scanner.aspx?
PDFMate PDF Converter
PDFMate PDF Converter entails advanced OCR technology that can help you convert PDFs to editable documents without any hassle. You can extract images and text from image-based PDFs and convert them into selectable and editable text or work files.
Besides the OCR functionality, the software has so much to offer, such as merging and creating PDF, encrypted converted files, customizing layout, and more.
Pros:
- Convert scanned documents to editable ones with OCR
- Support converting PDF to TXT, DOC, and other formats
- Add permission password to documents
- Simple and easy to use
Cons:
- Some crash problems during conversion processes
URL: https://www.pdfmate.com/pdf-converter-free.html
Best 3 Free PDF OCR Online Tools
For those who aren't willing to download software on the computer, the online OCR tools in this section may be the best choices.
OnlineOCR.net
Suppose you don't want to install any program on your system for PDF to word OCR, no worries. With OnlineOCR.net, you can get the job done without installing any tool on your computer. It can recognize characters and text from scanned PDF and convert them into the editable doc format.
It is a completely free PDF OCR online service that even comes with a guest mode, which implies there is no need to register to use it.
Pros:
- Support converting scanned PDFs to editable DOC format
- Work even without registration
- Convert PDF to Word, text, or excel format
- Support many languages
Cons:
- Support file size maximum up to 15 MB
URL: https://www.onlineocr.net/
ABBYY FineReader Online
ABBYY FineReader Online is another online OCR tool designed to help scan and convert PDF documents into Word and many other editable formats. It even supports import and export documents to cloud storage services such as OneDrive, Google Drive, and Dropbox.
The tool will keep converted files in the cloud for around 14 days, giving you enough time to download and share your files during the period.
Pros:
- Support many input and output file formats
- Export a converted document to popular cloud storage services
- Easy to use
- Able to convert scanned PDF to text OCR
Cons:
- Require registration
URL: https://finereaderonline.com/en-us/Tasks/Create
PDF2Go
PDF2Go is also an amazing PDF OCR online tool you can use to convert scanned files to text so that you can edit with ease. You can drag and drop your file or upload it from cloud storage. With PDF2Go, you don't have to copy the text manually, as this PDF OCR free tool will handle this job for you.
Above all, it works with all web browsers out there.
Pros:
- Convert scanned documents to word with OCR
- Support both DOC & DOCX and text format
- Work on a smartphone as well
- No registration is required
Cons:
- Lack support for uploading a file from the OneDrive service
URL: https://www.pdf2go.com/pdf-to-word
How to OCR a PDF?
As mentioned above, we'll help you learn how to OCR a PDF on Windows and Mac, and it's time. We will use Adobe Acrobat DC to walk you through how to OCR a scanned PDF to have an editable copy of your document.
Step 1. In Adobe Acrobat for PC or Mac, open your scanned PDF file.
Step 2. Tap 'Edit PDF' in the right place. The Adobe Acrobat will automatically perform OCR to your file and make it editable.
Step 3. Tap the text element you would like to edit and begin typing.
Step 4. Finally, select 'File' > 'Save As' and enter a new name for your editable file.
Conclusion
That's all on PDF OCR free tools. We have covered tools that really help to OCR a PDF to word or text on Windows and Mac with ease.
It's time for you to make a selection. Our advice is to pick EaseUS PDF Editor to get the job done.
Free PDF OCR Solutions FAQs
If you still have problems with the PDF OCR feature, those FAQs may help you.
1. How to OCR my PDF to word?
For PDF to word OCR, all you need to do is upload your scanned PDF document and choose the output file format as Word/DOC/DOCX while using any PDF OCR tool.
2. How to OCR my PDF to editable text?
Like PDF to word OCR, you need to select an output file format as .txt while using any PDF OCR tool to PDF to text OCR.
3. How to OCR my PDF to Excel?
The best way to OCR your PDF to excel is to use an online OCR service like ABBYY FineReader Online. It will provide you with an option to choose '.xlsx' as your output format.
mac ocr free
OCR detects text on web pages and allows you to select and copy text for other purposes. OCR is usually very accurate, but there is no control over how OCR works. Evernote OCR is convenient, but even a simple mobile scanning application can provide similar support.You can only buy what is needed to improve PDF requirements. Start PDFPen and it will automatically ask you to select PDF to open. PDF can be meaningful to change if you don’t have the right tools. You see, PDF is a proprietary format developed by Adobe that has their little habits regarding practical automation to extract information from each file.
Scan all the documents you want to use for OCR and then start the Doxie application, make sure the Doxie scanner is connected. If OCR is not completely accurate, it is possible to enter and make changes. OCR has become an extraordinary source for me. For Mac users, it’s hard to get the best OCR PDF software for Mac.
In this ideal case, this will be a paradigm shift instrument that lives forever. So this tool is great for fast projects keeping in mind that no software is needed to get started. Meanwhile, if you take a closer look at the tool, you will find that LightPDF is the best among them. Yes, there are many free tools, but if you make a fantastic product that provides good value, moneype people will buy it.
Sometimes you can find it quite useful because OCR software allows you to retrieve large amounts of textual data that can be searched more easily. Software distribution is also quite simple for beginners, while updates and updates are as easy as the documentation and tutorials available.
Medication consists of identifying software that allows you to spend less time in the organization and more on small business management. To get started, you must first download the ideal software on your system. Choosing software to check your documents is not a small choice.
Files can be retrieved via their website or via physical hard drives sent by mail. They can also be selected manually from the Finder window via the drop-down menu. Therefore, if the PDF file is protected from printing or copying, you can import it into the converter and choose the settings to start the conversion. In this scenario, you can combine multiple PDF files into one so that you can read files comfortably and continuously.
You can save all file types in the folder structure. Then you get all the files in the environment system. The output file will be saved in the original format. After importing the file, click on the Edit option available in the main menu. In some truly unusual scenarios, it might even end with files that are larger than the original compressed file! If you choose a single PDF file, you can choose mind bubbles along the lower left side.
mac ocr free
How to OCR a PDF to Text on Mac | Wondershare PDFelement
mac ocr free
Free OCR Software for MAC
mac ocr free
Scan all the documents you want to use for OCR and launch the Doxie app, making sure the Doxie scanner is connected. If the OCR is not completely accurate, you can enter and make changes to it. OCR is normally very accurate but there is no control over how OCR works. For Mac users, it is very difficult to discover the ideal PDF OCR for Mac software.
The program allows you to easily share drawings with other people. The OCR software could be searched more easily. Disadvantages of the Viz software Earth Landscape Design The program deals with specific features, such as color selection for flowers and other similar objects. The complete software is a small complex and complicated for beginners. This software offers video tutorials to help you learn how to use it. Home design software is a type of software that can be used to plan and design your home, interior and floor plan, etc.
Ocr Scan Mac
A number of tools and features are not efficient and are a bit uncomfortable. It is a very useful application for professional and novice users. The construction tool is the way to create your home. Meanwhile, if you look closely at the tools, you will find that LightPDF is the best among them. He is a great user of cloud tools and services.
When finished, click the Merge button. You have the option to run the OCR tool on the current page or on the entire document. It’s a wonderful design. Put your texts in better control With the passage of time, the latest barcode library goes to version 5.2. Another positive aspect of this program is that it is perfect for beginners and professionals. They are not easy to use.
Mac Os Ocr
You can then search for the text and, as you can see it, the text is highlighted during the search. You can export documents to cloud services such as Dropbox and Google Drive or link them to another e-mail message. It is better to choose the type of document. Select New document and you will see that the new Prizmo document will start to be used.
Ocr Pdf Mac Free
The output file will be kept in the original format. Then you will receive the files in the neighborhood system. Files can also be selected manually from a Finder window using a drop-down menu. Therefore, if the PDF files are protected against printing or copying In this case, it is possible to merge multiple PDF files into a file that can read the files easily and continuously.