3 Methods to Edit a Scanned PDF

PDF is the widely used format of the file for the security, compatibility, and multidimensional perks it provides to users. However, various issues also go side by side with PDF format, especially when you want to edit a scanned PDF, as the format and structure of the file disrupt in MS Word. Because of the disruption of formats, it becomes nearly impossible to edit a file efficiently.

This article will provide efficient solutions on how to edit a scanned PDF document without losing the primary format of the file.

Part 1. How to Edit a Scanned PDF with UPDF

UPDF is a powerful PDF reader and organizer tool with easy-to-use and extensive features that allows user to operate the application without effort. Besides other versatile features, it also protects and keeps your important PDF files secure. In a matter of seconds, you can apply various features to multiple PDF documents at a time, making it the wisest and most convenient choice. It's really great, right? If you want to try this useful editing tool, just click below the download button.

Top Features of UPDF

Being the most innovative and powerful PDF editor and organizer, UPDF provides distinctive features to its user, some of which are mentioned below:

Seamless Management of PDF Files: UPDF provides on-hand management of your PDF files, from organizing to adding and removing various pages. All the features are easy to follow with a quick and simple step process.
Color Tag the PDF Files: Users can also color tag the important files, or you can color tag the PDF on the same subject to keep track of files. In this way, users can easily find the required file.
Share PDF: UPDF also allows its user to share the PDF with friends or colleagues by creating a link. You can also set the expiry time of the created PDF link.
Conversion of Images with OCR: Users can also convert images or scanned PDFs into editable PDF files using the UPDF conversion tool with the OCR feature.

Steps for Editing a Scanned PDF with OCR

How can you edit a scanned PDF with a simple PDF editing tool? While you need the text to be editable, you will need to have a proper tool to convert it. UPDF provides a dedicated OCR tool that converts a scanned PDF to editable and searchable text. To understand how you can utilize this tool, look into the following steps:

Step 1: Launch Tool and Select OCR Function

Launch the PDF document on UPDF and direct to the "Recognize Text Using OCR" button to open a menu. Afterward, enable the "Searchable PDF" option in the "Document Type" section.

Step 2: Define Layout Settings

Next, you can specify the "Layout" of the OCR tool that it is bound to follow. From the range of options available, select "Text and pictures only" or "Text over the page image" and define the advanced layout settings using the "Gear" icon.

Step 3: Set Language and Image Resolution

On setting the layout options, you may select the "Document Language" out of the 38 languages from the available list. In the "Image Resolution" section, specify the resolution with the available options or click the "Detect Optimal Resolution" button for automated analysis.

Step 4: Execute the Process of Editing a Scanned PDF

Finalize how many pages have to be covered in the process with the "Page Range" settings. Once done, click "Perform OCR" and execute the process. You will have to set a location for saving the converted document.

Steps for Converting a Scanned PDF to Word with OCR

To convert and edit a scanned PDF document on Word using the OCR feature, follow the steps below to complete the operation:

Step 1: Import Scanned PDF on UPDF

To initiate the conversion process, install UPDF by searching it on Google, or you can also download it directly by clicking the download button below. After launching UPDF, import a scanned PDF by clicking on the "Open File" option to browse the scanned PDF on your computer.

Step 2: Select Output Format

Now tap on the "Export PDF" icon from the right panel. After clicking on the "Export PDF" option, a small window will appear on your screen. Now, select the output format of the scanned PDF as Word.

Step 3: Convert PDF to Word

After choosing the desired output format and selecting the remaining settings of PDF, click on "Export" to convert the scanned PDF to Word.

The above steps are to convert PDF to Word using UPDF. It looks so easy, right? Do you want to try it? Just click the download button below to get this useful editing tool!

Step 4: Edit the Scanned PDF in Word

After clicking on the "Export" option, you can open the converted file in Word. Now you can easily edit text, including its size, font, italicization, and boldness of letters and words.

Part 2. How to Edit a Scanned PDF with Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat is an alternative tool to edit a scanned document. Besides being a reliable and secure PDF editor, users can also create, export, sign, and annotate PDF files. Adobe Acrobat also offers its users the ability to share files across different devices to get quick feedback on an important document. The feature to edit a scanned PDF document is also available on Adobe Acrobat.

Adobe Acrobat OCR offers two different options displayed just below the scanned document in the right panel; "Settings" and "Recognize Text". In the Settings button, different options are available such as the selection of OCR language, the option to use system fonts, and the making of all pages editable in one go. On the other hand, in "Recognize Text", an option to switch from text to image or image to text mode is available.

Steps to Edit a Scanned PDF Document on Adobe Acrobat

The steps mentioned below will provide you with a pathway on how to edit a scanned PDF document using Adobe Acrobat:

Step 1: Open the Adobe Acrobat application and after launching it on your computer, click on the "File" tab from the toolbar. Tap the "Open" button to browse scanned PDF file from your computer and import it on Adobe Acrobat.

Step 2: Navigate to "Tools" and follow it up by clicking on the "Edit PDF" option. As soon as you click on "Edit PDF", Acrobat automatically applies the OCR feature on the scanned PDF document and converts it into an editable file.

Step 3: After the OCR feature is enabled on your document, click on the text you want to edit from the scanned document. Next, click on the "File" tab and tap on the "Save As" option. Now, rename the edited file, select the file's destination, and save it on your computer.

Part 3. How to Edit a Scanned PDF Online Free

PDF24 Tools is an online tool to edit a scanned PDF. It offers various features, from merging and compressing files to editing, signing, and protecting PDF files without installing the software on your computer. PDF 24 Tools also offers its user a feature to edit a scanned PDF document for using the PDF Converter tool.

Steps to Edit a Scanned PDF with PDF24 Tools

Follow the mentioned below simple and easy steps to edit scanned PDF online for free and to convert it into an editable PDF document:

Step 1: Access the PDF OCR tool from the official website of PDF24 Tools and click on the "Choose Files" button to browse and import the scanned PDF file from your computer. You can also import scanned documents from Google Drive or Dropbox from the arrow on the right corner of the dotted box.

Step 2: After importing the scanned document, select the language and format of the file, along with other customization. Next, click on "Start OCR" to apply the OCR feature to your PDF.

Step 3: As soon as OCR is applied to the PDF document, your file will be enabled for the edits to be made. Click on "Edit PDF" at the bottom of the display. Now, edit the document accordingly on PDF24 Tools Editor and download the file on your computer.

Part 4. FAQs on How to Edit Scanned PDF

1. Can Scanned PDF Documents be Edited?

UPDF offers the solution to edit PDF files by using the option of the OCR feature, which allows you to edit and convert scanned PDF documents in Word editable format.

2. Why Can't I Edit a Scanned PDF?

The scanned PDF document is an image file and not a text file. That is why users cannot edit a scanned PDF unless and until they use the OCR feature, which turns the image file into an editable text format.

3. How Do I Turn a Scanned PDF Into an Editable Document?

You can convert a scanned PDF document into an editable Word format by using the UPDF conversion tool. Refer to part 1 of the article to thoroughly understand the process of converting PDF into an editable document.

Conclusion

This article explored various methods and tools to convert scanned PDF documents into editable documents. However, some methods are complex, while others require an expensive monthly subscription. In that regard, UPDF is a premium and authentic solution to conveniently convert a scanned PDF document into an editable Word file using the OCR feature.

Next time when you are required to convert and edit a scanned PDF file, refer to the robust and most secure choice for your PDF files, the UPDF PDF Editor.