Ready to extract text from images or scanned documents?

Many people find themselves staring at a photo or PDF filled with printed words, wishing there were an easy way to make that text editable. This is where an ocr tool can be a huge help. OCR stands for optical character recognition. It allows you to turn pictures, PDFs, or even hand-written notes into searchable and selectable text.

Getting started with your OCR tool

The most common starting point is a file with text locked inside an image or scan. Maybe a colleague sent over a photo of a printed contract, or you need to pull details from a scanned receipt. Here is how you would typically approach this with an ocr tool:

First, open the ocr tool. If the tool runs in your browser, you may just navigate to the main site or interface. If you are using a desktop application, launch it as you would any other program.
Next, upload your image or document. Most ocr tools accept popular formats like JPG, PNG, PDF, or TIFF. Some even let you drag and drop files directly into the interface.
Start the recognition process. Usually, this is as simple as hitting a button labeled ‘Start’, ‘Extract’ or ‘Recognize’. The tool will process your file for a few seconds or minutes depending on its size.
Once finished, the extracted text will usually appear in a preview window. You can now select, copy, or export this content into your favorite text editor or document app.

Everyday uses for OCR

It is common to use ocr tools for extracting notes from lecture slides, copying text from scanned books, or digitizing business cards. If you are keen to get more from your documents, some platforms even allow further interaction. For instance, after extracting content from a document, you could use a tool like document chat to discuss or analyze your text.

Tips for better accuracy

If you have ever snapped a picture on your phone and had the ocr tool misread a few letters, you are certainly not alone. For better outcomes, it helps to work with high-contrast, well-lit images. Rotate skewed files so the text is straight. If you work with screenshots or digital files, those usually offer better recognition than blurry photos. Trying the image chat feature may also help clarify any unclear parts.

Expanding possibilities

After the text is extracted, you can use tools specifically designed to summarize large files or long form text. For example, a pdf summarizer helps you make sense of an entire document once it has been converted to text. This comes in handy for students reviewing research, professionals parsing contracts, or anyone who encounters lengthy scanned reports.