How to convert a scanned PDF to editable Word
A scanned PDF holds pictures of pages, not text, so an ordinary converter gives you a Word file full of images. You need OCR (optical character recognition), which reads the letters in the picture and turns them into real text.
Do it now, free and without uploading your file.
Open PDF to Word →How to tell if a PDF is scanned
Open it and try to select a word. If you can highlight single words, it has real text and converts directly. If the whole page highlights as one block, or nothing highlights at all, it is a scan.
Convert it, step by step
- Open PDF to Word and choose your PDF.
- Choose With OCR. DeevitHub PDF checks the first pages when you add the file and switches to OCR for you when it finds a scan.
- Press Convert. The text is read and placed in the Word file where it was on the page, so the layout stays close to the original.
- Open the .docx file in Word, Google Docs or LibreOffice and check it.
Get better OCR results
- Straight, flat pages. Crooked or curled pages are the most common cause of mistakes.
- Enough resolution. 300 dpi is ideal for small print; 200 dpi is usually fine for normal letters.
- Good contrast. Dark text on a light background. Avoid shadows when photographing a page.
- Always proofread. OCR is very good on clean printed text but can confuse similar characters, such as 0 and O, or 1 and l, especially in numbers.
Only need the text?
If you just want to copy the words, OCR PDF can save a plain text file, or a searchable PDF that looks identical to the scan but lets you select and search the text.
Questions
Is OCR accurate?
On clear printed text it is usually very accurate. Handwriting, low-resolution photos and unusual fonts produce more mistakes, so always check important figures.
Why does the first OCR take longer?
The language data is downloaded the first time. After that it is reused.
Do it now, free and without uploading your file.
Open PDF to Word →