PDF tool · Private

OCR: Turn a Scanned PDF Into Searchable Text

What OCR is and how to make a scanned PDF searchable with Rayo PDF GO. Available in the iPhone, Android, Mac, and Windows apps.

Premium feature

or drop the file here

Processed on your device
Never uploaded to a server
No watermarks

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How to use OCR for scanned PDF in 3 steps

Open the scanned PDF in the app
Choose the document's language
Recognize the text and save the searchable PDF

OCR for scanned PDF: what it is and when to use it

A scanned PDF is just an image: you can't search for words or copy text. OCR recognizes the characters and turns them into real text.

In Rayo PDF GO, OCR works in the phone and desktop apps, and it processes on your device. It isn't available in the browser for now.

The best results come from sharp, straight scans in good light.

Common uses

Search for words in scanned documents.
Copy text from a photo or a scan.
Create searchable PDFs for archiving.
Reuse content from paper documents.

Tips for better results

Sharp scans give better results.
Choose the correct language of the document.
Review the recognized text before using it.

Why Rayo PDF GO

Truly private

Your files are processed on your device and never uploaded to a server.

Fast

No queues, no waiting for a server.

On every device

iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows and browser.

Free to start

Essential tools are free; Premium unlocks the advanced ones.

Frequently asked questions

Does it work in the browser?

For now only in the phone and desktop apps.

Which languages are supported?

Automatic, Spanish, and English.

Is it private?

Yes, recognition happens on your device.

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