When would you need to convert a PDF image to Text with OCR? Let's assume you have an image-based PDF or a JPG that's been converted into a PDF. Now imagine that there's some text in the image that you want to extract - but that's impossible because you can't edit the text inside an image file or an image-based PDF. The only way to do this is to use a PDF-to-text converter that offers OCR functionality to recognize and extract the text. You can also do this online, but the best way is to use a secure offline utility - one that works on both Windows and Mac computers.
The Best PDF Image to Text Converter with OCR
Introducing UPDF, a cross-platform desktop application that can convert PDF files into numerous editable file types including PDF image to text, PDF image to Word, etc. The conversion can be done with or without OCR, but when you have a PDF image, then you need to use the text recognition module to extract the text content so you can use it elsewhere, edit it in a word processor, and so on.
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What Can UPDF Do? Key Features
- Convert PDF to over a dozen different editable file types including MS Office files, images, HTML, text, PDF/A, XML, CSV, and more.
- Maintain the original formatting of the source PDF file in the output file.
- Secure environment to keep your private and confidential files safe at all times.
- OCR capability to recognize text in images and extract it to an editable text file.
Pros
- Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- Batch Process to save a significant amount of time for heavy workflows
- Convenient OCR settings for language, page range, etc.
How to Convert PDF Image to Text with OCR
If you want to Convert a PDF image to text, you can follow the steps to convert it. UPDF also supports the conversion from screenshots to Text with OCR, which is available on both Windows and Mac.
Step 1: Enter the OCR Mode
Drag and drop the image-based PDF into the UPDF interface to import it or you can click the "Open File" buttons can be used for the same purpose.
After opening the PDF file to UPDF, now click on " Recognize Text Using OCR" on the left menu to access the OCR feature.
Step 2: Turn PDF Image to Text with OCR
When you click on "Recognize Text Using OCR", a window will appear. "Searchable PDF" automatically chosen, you will then have to specify the layout in the "Layout" settings. Select "Text and pictures only" or "Text over the page image" and if there are any advanced layout options to look out for, select the "Gear" icon and work on the options, if needed. You can also select the "Image Resolution" and "Odd or Even Pages" below.
Last but not least, select the "Perform OCR" button, define the location of the saved OCR document, and let the process execute. Once done, it opens on UPDF, where you can extract the text from the PDF.
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How to Convert PDF Image to Text Format
After performing OCR, if you also want to convert the PDF to Text format, you can also use UPDF to do it. Here are the steps to convert PDF to Text format.
Step 1: Select the Export PDF Option
Open PDF with UPDF and click the "Export PDF" option. A small window will be displayed on the screen and then you can choose the output format as "Text" from the menu options.
Step 2. Convert PDF to Text
In the new popup window, you can select the page range and then click the "Export" button. Finally, choose a folder to save the converted file.
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FAQs on Converting PDF Image to Text
Can You Turn a PDF into Text?
Yes, you can use a PDF tool like UPDF to turn a PDF into text, you can convert an image-based PDF files into searchable and editable, moreover, it also supports converting documents into different text format.
How Do I Convert a PDF to Text for Free?
There is no free tool on the Internet, even if it does, the free online editors are putting PDF in danger since it cannot assure the security, and may cause any inevitably data loss due to unstable Internet. For your safety and privacy, you can use UPDF to convert PDF files 5 times for free. To do this, you can follow the above steps to convert PDF image to text or convert PDF to Text format.
How Do I Extract Text from a PDF?
If your PDF is a scanned PDF or image-based PDF, you need to turn it into editable with OCR first. For this, you can upload your PDF to UPDF, and then select the OCR tool and convert the PDF into searchable. After that, you can extract text from PDF by copying them.
Final Thoughts
Online OCR tools are no doubt convenient to convert PDF images to text, but a lot of users avoid online services as a rule due to potential document security issues when uploading and downloading files. If you're dealing with confidential client information or internal company documents, it's better to use an offline tool such as UPDF. It supports both Mac and Windows and offers a native experience on both platforms.
Moreover, there are numerous conversion options, advanced OCR capabilities, text and image editing capabilities, annotation capabilities, and many other features that make it one of the best cross-platform free PDF converters on the market today. Download it today and you won't regret it.
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