We deal with a lot of information stored in PDF files, which often contain crucial data we need to extract and access. However, it's almost impossible to search or edit the text inside them if they are just scanned PDF images. This is where Optical Character Recognition technology comes in handy, which can convert scanned documents into editable text within seconds.
In this regard, batch OCR processing abilities are in high demand when you have a large number of documents that need to be converted. Therefore, this guide is there to help you discover the top batch OCR PDF software that boosts your work productivity.
Part 1. Top 2 Online Tools to Batch OCR PDF in 2024
Our first approach will be to talk about the online OCR tools you can access on any device without requiring installation. Although you can find many of these PDF scanning tools available on the internet, we will mention the top two of them to save you time while searching for them. Have a look at these two batch OCR PDF free tools you try to achieve great results:
Bonus
Windows • macOS • iOS • Android 100% secure
1. PDF24 Tools
PDF24 Tools can convert multiple scanned PDFs into editable text files in one go, making it efficient for you to deal with large volumes of documents. When you add numerous documents, the tool gives you the option to have a list view or grid view of the files for a better management experience. You can also select the language of your documents for a more accurate and precise OCR result.
Other than that, PDF24 Tools offer you the ability to remove the noisy backgrounds from your documents and give them a clean look. Plus, it can deskew pages to correct their orientation and bring them back to their straightened position. Here's how you perform batch OCR PDF processing with this tool:
Step 1. First, launch your favorite web browser and go to the PDF24 Tools official website to access the OCR feature. Then, click the "Choose files" button and select all your PDF files that you want to scan simultaneously.
Step 2. Afterward, you will see all your documents uploaded and ready to be scanned by the OCR technology. There, check your preferences and hit the "Start OCR" button to begin with this operation. Once done, you will be able to download the output files to your device or to the cloud storages.
2. LightPDF
LightPDFis another powerful online batch OCR PDF tool that utilizes advanced OCR technology to ensure precise text recognition and conversion. A notable feature of this platform is that you get a clean interface with no distraction of ads here. Besides Standard Recognition Mode, the tool offers users the Enhance Mode where they can achieve higher accuracy but with longer processing time.
Moreover, you can select the output format of your conversion results from the drop-down menu, which has Office formats and more. Users can also choose text-recognizing language to enhance the precision of text extraction further. Go through the following steps to use this tool for batch OCR tasks:
Step 1. After opening the web browser on your device, launch LightPDF's official site and reach the "Free Online OCR Converter'' page. There, tap on the "Select Files" button to upload the respective PDF documents for OCR operation.
Step 2. Following this, you will be directed to the next screen where the tool will show the list of all uploaded PDFs. Now, set the "Recognition Mode" from the drop-down menu and click the "OCR" button after choosing the desired output format.
Although online OCR tools are convenient to use for all kinds of devices, they come with certain disadvantages that we will discuss in the next section. Those wanting to overcome these limitations can get help from offline batch OCR PDF free tools for a more reliable experience. For these reasons, we recommend you use UPDF to perform batch OCR on your PDF documents.
Part 2. What Are the Drawbacks of Using an Online to Batch OCR PDF?
As we claimed, this section will explicitly talk about the potential drawbacks you might face while going for an online OCR tool. Give a brief overview of these factors that can make you have second thoughts about using them:
- Internet Dependency: The foremost flaw of these platforms is that they require a stable internet connection for their work. It can significantly impact your performance when you are in poor connectivity areas.
- File Size Limitations: Many online OCR services impose restrictions on the size of the files that can be uploaded. These limitations can be problematic for users dealing with a high volume of documents.
- Processing Speed and Performance: The processing speed of these online platforms can vary depending on the server load of the service provider. In this regard, you may experience quite slower processing during peak times, which can be frustrating when working with large batches of documents.
- Privacy and Security Concerns: Even though these sites claim to delete your files after conversion, there's always the potential for data breaches and misuse of information. So, uploading sensitive or confidential documents to an online service can pose serious risks.
Part 3. How to Batch OCR PDF with the Most Advanced AI OCR PDF Tool
Now that we have shared with you details about online platforms offering batch OCR PDF functionality, let's move on to the more appropriate approach. We will now shed light on the most advanced AI-powered OCR tool that you can use completely offline for the document scanning task. Here comes UPDF as a premier OCR tool, renowned for its exceptional accuracy and comprehensive features.
Notably, it offers user-friendly customization options that enable users to fine-tune the OCR process according to their specific needs. Moreover, the tool allows you to choose the document type as searchable or image-only PDF. Besides, you can select the specific page ranges and the resolution to which you want to perform this OCR operation. Download UPDF and try the effortless batch OCR today!
Windows • macOS • iOS • Android 100% secure
Straightforward Manual to Operate Batch OCR via UPDF PDF Editor
Check out the step-by-step guide below, and you will be able to efficiently operate batch OCR processing for your whole list of documents using UPDF:
Step 1. Access the Combine Tool of UPDF
Start by downloading and installing the UPDF OCR tool on your PC or MacBook and launch its application. When its interface loads, select the "Batch Process" feature and then hit the "Combine" batch action.
Step 2. Combine the Required PDF Files
After that, click the "Add files" button and select all the PDF documents you want for OCR scanning. Once selected, tap the "Apply" button and save the merged file to your preferred destination.
Step 3. Apply the AI OCR Feature
Now, open that combined document file with UPDF and tap the "OCR" icon, which will ask you to install the OCR plugin. Once installed, you can now customize the OCR settings as per your demands and then hit "Perform OCR". All the combined PDFs will be scanned by this feature simultaneously within a few seconds.
Other Innovative Key Features of UPDF
- PDF Editing: You can edit your documents to the maximum extent with its robust editing tools, allowing you to modify text and images any way you want.
- Annotation Tools: This batch OCR PDF free software offers a variety of annotation options like highlighting text or adding comments, enhancing the collaboration of documents.
- PDF Conversion: UPDF supports converting your PDFs to almost all kinds of formats, which ensures that users can easily repurpose their documents for different platforms.
- Document Security: With the powerful security features of this software, you can protect your PDFs by encrypting them with passwords, avoiding unauthorized access.
Conclusion
In conclusion, batch OCR PDF processing can significantly enhance the productivity and efficiency of your work when dealing with large volumes of scanned documents. This guide has introduced you to the best online OCR tools you can try for free with satisfying conversion results. However, as these platforms pose some limitations and privacy concerns, we have shared with you the better approach through an offline tool, UPDF.
Windows • macOS • iOS • Android 100% secure
Moreover, you are familiar with some other features of this all-in-one PDF tool, helping you unlock the full potential of your document management capabilities. You can download this tool for free and take advantage of its mind-blowing features right now.