How to do it in two steps
- Recognize the text with this tool (OCR). You'll get a PDF with selectable text and the text ready to copy.
- When it's done, click “PDF to Word” under “What's next?”: your PDF will go straight to that tool and you'll be able to download it as an editable Word document.
If you only need the text, you can skip the second step: copy the recognized text and paste it into a new Word or Google Docs document.
For good recognition
- Choose the document's correct language in “Document language”.
- The sharper and straighter the scan, the better. If it's a crooked photo, use Scan with your phone first.
- Check the result: recognition can mix up a letter here and there, especially in numbers or unusual words.
How to use it
- Choose your scanned PDF or the photos of the document.
- Choose the language and click “Recognize text”.
- Click “PDF to Word” under “What's next?” to get the Word document.
Frequently asked questions
Is the original layout kept?
Text and paragraphs are kept. Columns, complex tables and images aren't copied to Word.
Does it recognize handwriting?
It works well with printed text. Handwriting is recognized poorly.