At first, a scan is just an image to a computer. Text recognition adds an invisible text layer underneath-the appearance stays the same, but you can search and copy text.
Drag file here
Processed on our server - Your file is deleted before the download starts
In two steps: PDF text recognition (OCR)
- Select or drop a scanned PDF.
- Click "Recognize text & Download": The searchable PDF is automatically saved to your downloads. The language is detected automatically.
Frequently asked questions
Will my document look different afterward?
No. The recognized text is invisibly placed behind the image. You still see the scan, but you can select, copy, and search the text.
How accurate is the recognition?
It is very reliable for clean scans at 300 dpi or higher. Poor copies, tilted scans, handwriting, and unusual fonts can cause errors. Check the result before relying on it.
Why isn't my PDF being processed?
If the file already contains a text layer, recognition skips it-duplicate text would make searching worse. Your PDF is already searchable.
Which languages are available?
German, English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. The language is detected automatically: the first pass runs in German and English; if the text is clearly French, Spanish, or Portuguese, recognition runs again in that language. If automatic detection gets it wrong, select "Choose another language" yourself; this makes a noticeable difference for umlauts and accents.