OCR a PDF
Scans are just pictures of text. OCR reads the words and adds them invisibly under each page, so the PDF looks the same but you can search, select and copy.
Nothing is uploaded. Your files stay private.
How to make a scanned PDF searchable
Three steps, about ten seconds.
- 01
Add your scan
Drop the scanned PDF in the box, or tap to choose it.
- 02
Choose quality
Standard is fast. High reads small print better but takes longer.
- 03
Make it searchable
Each page is read on your device, then you download the searchable PDF (and the text, if you want it).
Good to know
OCR (optical character recognition) finds the letters in a scanned image. Quikdo adds the recognised words as an invisible layer exactly over the printed ones, so the page looks unchanged but search, copy and screen readers all work.
Clear, straight scans give the best results. Straighten tilted pages with Deskew PDF first, and pick High quality for small print.
Recognition runs in your browser. The first run downloads about 7 MB of recognition files, which your browser keeps for next time. English is supported today, with more languages coming.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a PDF searchable?
Drop the scanned PDF in and run OCR. The text on each page is recognised and added invisibly, so you can search, select and copy it.
Can I copy text from a scanned PDF after OCR?
Yes. Select and copy it like any other text, or use PDF to text to get all of it at once.
Will the scan look different?
No. The pages stay exactly as they were; the text is added invisibly underneath.
Which languages are supported?
English for now. Arabic and other languages are coming.
How long does it take?
A few seconds per page on a recent phone or laptop. High quality takes about twice as long.
Is my PDF uploaded?
No. Text recognition runs on your device, and your file never leaves it.