How to make a scanned PDF searchable
- 1Choose a scanned PDF.
- 2Keep “Skip pages that already have text” on to save time on mixed documents.
- 3Press Make searchable; the first run downloads the recognition engine.
- 4Download the searchable PDF.
Features
- Text layer is placed exactly over the words on the page.
- Skips pages that already contain text.
- Runs on your device; the scan is never uploaded.
When to use OCR PDF
- Search inside scanned contracts, letters and receipts.
- Prepare a scan for PDF to Word, PDF to Excel or Chat with PDF.
- Copy a paragraph from a photographed page.
Good to know
- Recognition is tuned for English text.
- Handwriting and very low-resolution or skewed scans give poor results.
- Your files are processed in your browser and never uploaded to a server.
- Free to use with no sign-up, no limit on tasks and no watermark on your files.
Frequently asked questions
What is Fusion Office OCR PDF?
Fusion Office OCR PDF is a free online tool from Fusion Office. Add a hidden, selectable text layer to scanned PDFs so you can search, copy and convert them. It runs in your browser, so your files are never uploaded. No sign-up, no watermark and no limit on how often you use it.
Does OCR change how my PDF looks?
No. The original page images stay the same; the recognised text sits invisibly on top of them.