How to use OCR PDF
-
1. Add a scanned PDF
Drop a PDF made from scans or photos, where you cannot select the text.
-
2. Choose the language
Pick English, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, French or Arabic, or a mix such as English + Hausa.
-
3. Download
You get the same pages, now searchable and copyable. You can also save the text as a .txt file.
Why use this OCR PDF?
For students
Make scanned lecture notes and past question papers searchable, so you can find a topic in seconds.
For offices
Turn a scanned archive of letters and invoices into files you can search and copy from.
For copying text
Select and copy a paragraph out of a scan to reuse it in a document.
Frequently asked questions
What does OCR do?
It reads the letters in a picture of a page and adds them back as invisible text, so the page looks the same but you can search, select and copy the words.
Will my pages look different?
No. The original scan stays as it is. The text is added in an invisible layer on top.
Which languages work?
English, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, French and Arabic, plus English mixed with Hausa, Yoruba or Igbo. The language files download the first time you use a language.
How can I get better results?
Use a clear, straight scan, choose the right language and pick a higher quality. Pages that are blurry, dark or at an angle give weaker text.
Why are some accents missing from the invisible text?
The PDF text layer uses a basic font. Letters like ọ or ṣ are stored as o and s so the page stays searchable. The text file keeps every letter exactly as read.
Is my file uploaded?
No. Reading the text happens in your browser.
Is OCR PDF really free to use?
Yes. It is completely free, with no sign-up, no watermark and no daily limit.
Is my file safe?
Yes. This tool works entirely inside your browser, so your file is never uploaded to our servers. It is cleared from memory when you close or refresh the page.
Do I need to install any software?
No. EduJobs Toolkit works in any modern browser on your phone, tablet or computer. Nothing to download or install.