How to Convert Non-Searchable PDFs to Searchable PDFs Using OCR Technology
Introduction
Non-searchable PDFs, often created from scanned documents, do not allow for text-based search. This can be frustrating, especially when you need to find specific information within a document. However, with the use of Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology, you can easily convert these non-searchable PDFs into searchable ones. This article will explore various solutions, including popular programs and online tools to help you achieve this conversion.
Popular Programs for OCR Conversion
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC is a robust tool that comes with a built-in OCR feature. This feature allows you to convert scanned documents into searchable PDFs. To use this feature, simply open the non-searchable PDF and use the 'Edit PDF' tool to recognize text. This process is straightforward and ensures accurate text recognition.
ABBYY FineReader
ABBYY FineReader is known for its high accuracy in Optical Character Recognition (OCR). This tool can convert scanned documents and images into editable and searchable formats, including PDFs. ABBYY FineReader offers both free and paid versions, with the paid version offering more advanced features.
Online OCR Services
Short Cut
Short Cut is a free online OCR service that allows you to upload non-searchable PDFs and convert them to searchable ones. Unlike other services, Short Cut does not require installation. However, it only processes up to 30 pages at a time, which might be limiting for large documents.
Tesseract
Tesseract is an open-source OCR engine that can be used for converting images and PDFs. While it is a powerful tool, it may require some technical knowledge to set up, as it works via command line. Tesseract is best suited for users who are familiar with basic command line operations.
Google Drive
Google Drive provides a convenient way to convert non-searchable PDFs to searchable ones. By uploading the document to Google Drive, you can right-click and select the relevant option to perform the conversion. This method is easy to use, requires no installation, and does not have a page limit.
PDF-XChange Editor
PDF-XChange Editor is a software that includes an OCR feature that can make scanned documents searchable. It is user-friendly and offers a wide range of features for editing PDFs, making it a good choice for those who frequently work with PDF documents.
Conclusion and Recommendations
When choosing a program to convert non-searchable PDFs to searchable ones, consider the following factors:
Cost: Some programs may require a subscription or payment for advanced features. Ease of Use: Some programs, like Short Cut, are user-friendly and straightforward, while others may require more technical knowledge to operate. Quality of OCR Output: For documents with complex formatting or handwriting, ensure that the program you choose has high accuracy in OCR output.For occasional users, I recommend using Short Cut for its ease of use and free availability. However, if you need more advanced features or work with complex documents, Adobe Acrobat Pro DC or ABBYY FineReader are excellent choices.
Additional Resources
One of the most powerful and versatile tools for OCR is Wondershare PDFelement. It can be used for a wide range of operations, including converting non-searchable PDFs to searchable ones. The following steps provide a detailed guide on how to use Wondershare PDFelement for this conversion:
Install and launch the latest version of Wondershare PDFelement. Upload the scanned or non-searchable PDF file using the drag and drop method or the 'Open Files' button. When the document is uploaded, you will be prompted to perform OCR. Click on 'Perform OCR' or navigate to the 'Tool' section to select the 'OCR' tool. In the OCR PDF window, set the appropriate values for page range, document language, and scan option. Click 'Apply' and your scanned or non-searchable PDF will be converted to an editable and searchable PDF.After the conversion, you can easily search for any word or phrase within the document using the search tools available in Wondershare PDFelement.