How to make a scanned PDF searchable
Use OCR to add a searchable text layer to scanned pages.
Open the toolStep by step
- 1
Choose a clear scan or image-based PDF.
- 2
Select the language that best matches the document.
- 3
Run OCR and download the searchable PDF or extracted text.
- 4
Search for several known words to review recognition quality.
Useful checks
- Straight, high-contrast scans improve recognition.
- Review names, totals and legal text manually.
Document results can vary with source quality and format complexity. Always review important output before relying on or sharing it.