PDF to Text with OCR
Extract text from scanned PDFs using OCR then PDF to Text on RatPDF. Explains when OCR is required, quality tips, and free workflow limits.
Quick steps
- Check text selection — If you cannot highlight text, the PDF is scanned.
- Run OCR — Use OCR PDF to add a searchable text layer.
- Extract text — Upload the OCR'd PDF to PDF to Text.
- Verify output — Spot-check numbers and names before reuse.
Why OCR matters
Scanned PDFs contain bitmap images of pages — there is no text to extract until OCR (Optical Character Recognition) recognizes characters and writes a hidden text layer. RatPDF's OCR PDF tool creates that layer; PDF to Text then exports it.
Common scanned sources
- Phone photos of contracts or receipts
- Library book chapters scanned to PDF
- Fax-to-PDF archives
- Government forms uploaded as image-only PDFs
OCR quality factors
300 DPI+, straight alignment, and high contrast improve accuracy. Skewed pages, handwriting, and watermarks increase errors. Always spot-check numbers (IBAN, dates, amounts) after extraction.
Language & encoding
RatPDF outputs UTF-8 plain text. For Arabic, Hindi, or mixed scripts, verify a few lines manually — complex scripts may need dedicated OCR engines for production archives.
Frequently Asked Questions
The PDF likely has no text layer — run OCR first.
Clean 300 DPI scans are highly accurate; handwriting and low contrast reduce quality.
Results vary by script — verify critical fields manually.
Use Word when you need headings and tables; use Text for scripts and search.