How to Edit a Scanned PDF Easily on Windows, Mac, and iPhone

Editing a scanned PDF can present challenges, especially when working with documents that started as images. For users looking to update forms or make corrections, this process can feel complex. UPDF offers an easy solution, providing powerful OCR technology and an intuitive interface to simplify the task. This guide will show you how to efficiently edit scanned PDFs on Windows, Mac, and iPhone. Read on to discover how UPDF can streamline your workflow and make document editing more manageable.

Part 1. Can You Edit a PDF That Has Been Scanned?

Yes, you can edit a PDF that has been scanned, but it requires a specific process. A scanned PDF is essentially an image, so the text within the document is not directly editable. To make changes, you must first convert the scanned document into editable text using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. OCR works by analyzing the scanned image and transforming the text portions into an editable format. Once the conversion is complete, you can modify, delete, or add content just like you would with a regular digital PDF. Without OCR, editing would be limited to annotations or additions on top of the image.

Part 2. How to Edit a Scanned PDF on Windows or Mac

Editing scanned PDFs on Mac or Windows can be a straightforward process with the right tools. One such tool is UPDF, a powerful PDF editor that simplifies the task. It includes features like OCR, which converts scanned images into editable text, allowing you to make necessary changes quickly and easily. With UPDF, you can correct mistakes, update content, or even extract information from scanned documents with ease. Its user-friendly interface makes the process smooth on both Windows and Mac.

Want to experience effortless editing? Try UPDF today to edit scanned PDFs with precision.

Here's how to do it:

Step 1: Convert the Scanned PDF to Editable

To begin editing a scanned PDF, open the file in UPDF and navigate to the "Recognize Text Using OCR" option. This function allows you to convert your scanned PDF from a static image to an editable, searchable document. You'll notice a significant difference before and after the conversion: initially, the text appears as an image, but after running the OCR function, the content is fully selectable and editable.

To activate OCR, click on the "Recognize Text Using OCR" button. In the menu that appears, select "Searchable PDF" under the "Document Type" section. You can then adjust the layout settings based on your preference, such as "Text and pictures only" or "Text over the page image" for better visual structure. Additionally, you can refine the layout by using the "Gear" icon for more advanced settings.

Step 2: Set Language and Image Resolution

After selecting the layout, choose the appropriate "Document Language" from the available 38 languages to ensure accurate text recognition. Next, set the "Image Resolution" or let the tool detect the optimal resolution automatically by selecting the "Detect Optimal Resolution" option. These settings ensure a high-quality conversion of the scanned text.

Step 3: Edit the Element You Want in the PDF

Once the OCR process is complete, the document will automatically open in an editable format. You can now edit any text, images, or other elements in the PDF. Simply click the "Edit PDF" button and select the content you wish to modify. UPDF allows you to edit text, resize or delete images, and add new elements like shapes or annotations. You can edit the entire document as if it were a regular PDF, with full control over the layout and formatting.

By following these steps, you'll transform a scanned, static PDF into a fully editable file, providing you with complete flexibility in handling your document.

For a more detailed walkthrough on how to edit a scanned PDF using UPDF, feel free to watch the following video, which covers each step thoroughly. UPDF not only allows you to edit scanned PDFs but also supports converting them into various other formats such as Word, TXT, JPEG, and more. This flexibility makes it easy to work with your documents in any format you need. Whether you're editing or converting, UPDF provides a comprehensive solution for handling scanned PDFs efficiently.

Part 3. Bonus: How to Edit a Scanned PDF on iPhone/iPad

UPDF is a comprehensive PDF editor available on four platforms, including iPhone and iPad, allowing users to edit scanned PDFs with ease. Using UPDF's intuitive interface and powerful OCR feature, you can quickly convert scanned images into editable text and make necessary changes directly from your device. This makes it simple to extract, copy, or modify content in scanned PDFs without any hassle. With full editing capabilities available on iOS, UPDF ensures a smooth and efficient workflow for managing scanned documents. It is recommend to upgrade to the pro version and enjoy the hassle-free editing experience on scanned PDFs across platforms!

Steps to Edit a Scanned PDF on iPhone/iPad:

• Download and install UPDF for iOS on your iPhone or iPad if you haven't already.

• Open the app and tap the "+" button in the bottom right corner. Select "Files" to choose a scanned PDF from your device, or "Scan" to scan a document directly into PDF format.

• Once your document is open, long-press on the screen and select the "OCR" option to convert the scanned PDF into editable text.

• After the conversion, long-press on the text you wish to modify, and choose "Copy" or "Share" to move or share the content.

• To paste the text into another document, open a new or existing PDF, go to 'Annotate Mode,' and select 'Text box,' or switch to 'Edit mode' and paste the text.

Following these steps makes editing scanned PDFs on iPhone or iPad quick and simple.

Conclusion

Editing scanned PDFs becomes a straightforward task with UPDF's advanced OCR features. By converting scanned images into editable text, UPDF allows for efficient adjustments on any platform. Its additional capabilities, like text extraction and combining multiple scanned documents, make it a comprehensive tool for managing scanned files. UPDF ensures a smooth editing experience across devices. Explore the full range of features today and take control of your scanned PDFs with ease.