OCR stands for Optical Character Recognition. OCR is an advanced technology used to extract text from different types of scanned documents such as images or PDF files.

OCR technology uses advanced algorithms to analyze images or scanned documents in order to identify any text in them. Essentially, it "reads" the characters and turns them into editable and searchable text. PDF OCR by Xodo provides you with the ability to seamlessly extract text from scanned PDF and images for quick and effective retrieval of important data.

How do I know if a PDF is scanned?

The easiest way to know if your PDF is scanned is to try selecting or highlighting text within your document. If the text cannot be selected, it is most likely a scanned PDF file. Unlike a native PDF, which contains selectable text, a scanned PDF is essentially an image of text. To extract text from scanned PDF files, tools like Xodo's PDF OCR are needed.

Can I extract text from scanned PDF?

Yes, you can extract text from scanned PDF files with the right OCR tools. Consider using Xodo if you're looking for a reliable PDF OCR conversion tool. Xodo enables you to easily convert your scanned PDF into an editable TXT file directly in your browser.

How to make a scanned PDF searchable?

Scanned PDFs are non-searchable due to the absence of embedded text. Making them searchable involves using OCR technology. You can use Xodo's PDF OCR tool to instantly turn your scanned document into a searchable PDF you can then further edit. Xodo is available on the web, desktop, and mobile, so you can work anytime, from anywhere.

What is the difference between a scanned and native PDF?

A scanned PDF is an image-based file usually created by scanning physical documents. This makes the text within documents non-selectable and uneditable without PDF OCR software. In contrast, native PDFs are generated from digital sources, allowing direct selection, searchability, and editing of text without additional tools.