PDFLeo guide
OCR a Scanned PDF into Searchable Text
A scanned PDF may contain pictures of pages rather than selectable text. Optical character recognition (OCR) attempts to identify words so you can search or reuse them. Accuracy depends on scan quality, language, and page layout.
Step-by-step instructions
- Open PDFLeo and choose OCR PDF.
- Select the PDF or supported document from your device.
- Use the options shown by the tool and check the selected pages or settings.
- Run the operation and download the output if processing completes.
- Open the downloaded file and confirm the result before sharing or relying on it.
Tips for a better result
- Straighten skewed pages and improve contrast.
- Tables, handwriting, and low-resolution images can reduce accuracy.
- Proofread names, dates, totals, and legal wording.
Important: Keep an original copy of important documents. Always review the exported file; results can vary with file structure, quality, and supported features.
Frequently asked questions
Does OCR guarantee perfect text?
No; it can misread characters, especially in poor scans.
Can OCR recognize handwriting?
Handwriting is harder and may not be supported.
Related PDFLeo resources
jpg to pdf online · pdf to word online · scan to pdf online
Explore more options on the PDFLeo PDF tools homepage or browse all PDF guides.