Browse all tools/Optimize

Optimize

OCR PDF

Extract and inspect text streams from scanned or multi-page PDFs locally. Runs on this device

Add your files

Your documents are held only in your active browser tab.

PDF files only

Choose a local file to begin.

No upload queue

Your documents are held only in your active browser tab.

No account

There is no sign-in, batch quota, or server file store.

Clear when done

Use the clear control to release task data immediately.

Guide

How to use OCR PDF

Convert scanned or image-based PDF pages into a searchable PDF with an selectable text layer and extracted text preview.
InputOne PDF and optional page selection.
OutputOne searchable PDF with a reconstructed text layer plus full extracted text in the preview box.
PrivacyProcessed only in this browser tab.

About OCR PDF

Convert scanned or image-based PDF pages into a searchable PDF with an selectable text layer and extracted text preview. Turn flat document scans, receipts, or legacy PDFs into searchable files where you can Ctrl+F and copy text.

Heavy handwriting or low-resolution skewed photos may not segment cleanly; use Scan to PDF first to boost contrast on camera photos.

How PDFolio helps you OCR PDF

PDFolio inspects each page for existing glyph vectors and runs local canvas character segmentation on image-only pages, embedding an invisible searchable text layer aligned with the page image.

If your PDF already has selectable text and you simply want a `.txt` download, use Extract Text.

Before you download

Clean, high-contrast 300 DPI scans yield the best character segmentation.

When the result is ready, download it immediately and open it in your usual PDF viewer to make a final check. You can then use Clear task data to release temporary file references from this browser tab. PDFolio does not create an account, cloud folder, or server-side document history.

A private way to OCR PDF

PDFolio handles the selected files in the active browser tab. A Web Worker on your device performs the PDF task so the interface can remain responsive; document bytes are not sent to a PDF processing server, upload queue, account database, or advertising platform.

Steps

  1. Add a scanned or hybrid PDF.
  2. Select the pages you want to process (or leave empty for all pages).
  3. Process locally to generate a searchable PDF and copyable text output.

Good to know: All recognition runs locally in your browser without sending scans to external cloud OCR APIs.

Frequently asked questions

Does OCR PDF keep the original visual look of my scan?

Yes. The original page visual is preserved while an invisible selectable text layer is placed underneath.

Is my scanned document uploaded to a cloud OCR server?

No. Everything executes locally inside your browser.

Does OCR PDF change my original file?

No. PDFolio creates a new file for download. Your source file remains unchanged on your device.