Acrobat
How to convert images to text with OCR technology.
Discover how to effortlessly extract text from images and create fully searchable PDFs with Adobe Acrobat.
OCR — what it is and how it works.
OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology effortlessly converts documents—whether PDFs or images—into fully editable, searchable text. It scans the content, recognising and extracting text from images or documents, including handwritten notes. By detecting individual characters, lines, and paragraphs, OCR technology transforms your content into a format that’s easy to edit, copy, and search. It's a smart way to make your text accessible and manageable.
How to convert your images to text.
No matter your field, Adobe Acrobat offers versatile tools for extracting text from images, giving you flexibility across devices. You can choose Adobe Acrobat Online, the Adobe Acrobat app, or the Adobe Scan mobile app to scan, convert, and edit text from images easily. These tools provide flexibility whether you're on your computer or mobile device.
1. Use Adobe Acrobat online.
With the Adobe Acrobat online OCR tool, there's no need to download any applications or software—everything is web-based. Simply upload your PDF file, and Acrobat will use OCR technology to recognise the text. Follow these steps:
- Upload your PDF. Click the Select a file button or drag and drop your PDF into the designated area. Choose the PDF document you want Acrobat to recognise text in so you can search, copy, and highlight the text.
- Apply OCR. Once the file is uploaded, Acrobat will automatically use OCR technology to recognise the text within your PDF.
- Sign in and access your file. To download the searchable PDF or obtain a link for sharing, you will need to sign in. You can sign in using your email or through Adobe, Google, Apple, or Facebook accounts.
2. Convert image to text on your device using Adobe Acrobat.
Using an Adobe Acrobat application, including the free trial version of Adobe Acrobat Pro, you can easily convert your files to PDF and utilise built-in tools to scan and correct recognised text.
- Open Acrobat and create your file. Click on the + Create menu at the top of the screen to create a PDF from any format.
- Select “Scan & OCR” from the tools.
- Extract, edit and save. After the OCR technology has scanned your image, review and edit the text, if needed. You can cut and paste any quotes you need into another document. Save your PDF with the OCR changes so you have searchable text for future use.
3. Use Adobe Scan on your device.
The Adobe Scan app allows you to capture images of documents, whiteboards, notes, and more. Adobe Scan automatically converts these into JPEG or PDF files, saving them to Adobe cloud storage and providing editable, searchable text.
- Open the app and choose from preset options. After you sign into the Adobe Scan App, you’ll see preset options that are already optimised to help you get the best results from your photo.
After you press OK, hold your device steady while your device camera scans the document. - Check your image. After the scan is completed, you’ll see options to retake your image, crop it, rotate it, add markup, clean it up, and more.
- Save your image. Your saved scans in PDF can be accessed on the Acrobat desktop, web, or mobile application. You can also select from options to save your scanned file as a JPEG and share it via a link or email.
Tips for extracting text from images.
The accuracy of OCR technology can vary depending on factors like the quality of the original document, clarity of the text, and font style. Follow these tips to get the best results when converting image text:
Ensure clear, high-quality images.
The clearer your original image, the more accurate the resulting text will be. Make sure the image is well-lit and free from obstructions like blurring or creases that can obscure words.
Choose the right tool for the task.
Adobe offers several apps for converting images to text. For example:
- Adobe Scan is ideal for capturing notes from a whiteboard, a page from a library book, or even lecture notes you missed.
- Adobe Acrobat online or the Acrobat desktop app are great for editing both images and text in PDF documents.
Review and edit the results.
While OCR tools are powerful, always proofread the converted text to ensure accuracy. This is especially important when quoting directly from an image. Check the formatting too, to make sure it matches the rest of your document seamlessly.
Use cases for image to text technology.
OCR technology can be a game-changer for various users. Here’s how different groups can make the most of converting images to text:
- Students. Turn those handwritten notes or textbook pages into editable text, making studying and assignment prep a breeze.
- Professionals. Easily digitise and organise important documents and meeting notes, boosting productivity and making your workday smoother.
- Researchers. Convert research notes and articles into searchable formats, making data analysis and referencing quicker and more efficient.
Frequently asked questions.
More resources