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OCR PDF: turn scanned pages into searchable text

Turn scanned pages into a file you can search and copy text from, in Arabic, English and Persian.

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Where is the file processed?

On our serverThis tool needs our server. Your file is sent over an encrypted connection, processed, and deleted right after processing.

Steps

  1. Choose your file: Tap “Select PDF file” or drag and drop it into the box.
  2. Pick the language: Choose Arabic, English or Persian, or more than one if the document mixes them.
  3. Run OCR: Tap “Start OCR”. The file is sent to our server over an encrypted connection, processed, and deleted right after processing.
  4. Download and check: You get the same-looking file, but now you can search it and copy its text. Check important names and numbers before relying on them.

What it offers

  • Arabic, English and Persian

    Recognizes printed text in Arabic, English and Persian only, including documents that mix them.
  • Looks the same

    Pages stay exactly as you see them; we add a hidden text layer behind them for search, selection and copying.
  • The step before Word

    A scanned file is just images. After OCR it contains real text you can move into Word or a text file.
  • Encrypted and deleted

    The file is sent to our server over an encrypted connection, processed, and deleted right after processing.

Limits

Because the file is sent to our server, there are limits on file size and number of runs, shown on the tool page. Signed-in members get higher limits for free.

Frequently asked questions

What is OCR and when do I need it?

OCR reads the writing in an image of a page and turns it into real text. A PDF from a scanner or phone camera contains only images, so you can't search it or copy its words until it has been through OCR.

How accurate is Arabic OCR?

It depends on scan quality. Clear printed pages in a common font usually give good results, while skewed, faded or low-resolution images produce more errors. Always check the text, especially names and numbers.

Does it recognize handwriting?

Not reliably. The tool is built for printed text, and handwriting may come out incomplete or wrong.

My document mixes Arabic and English. Will it work?

Yes, select both languages. Lines that mix Arabic with English words or numbers can come out with words in a different order or some letters changed, so check them afterwards.

Is my file stored on your server?

No. It is sent to our server over an encrypted connection, processed, and deleted right after processing.

I want the text in Word. What should I do?

After OCR you can copy the text straight from the PDF, use PDF to Word for an editable document, or PDF to text for a plain text file.

How do I get clearer results?

Scan pages flat, in good light and at a decent resolution; 300 DPI is a good choice on a scanner. If you use your phone, run the pages through Scan to PDF first to crop and clean them up.