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Make Scanned PDFs Searchable with Free OCR

Scanned PDFs are just pictures—they can't be searched or have text selected. The OCR tool adds a hidden text layer so you can search, copy and highlight. This free OCR for scanned documents converts images to text online in your browser.

How it works

OCR (Optical Character Recognition) looks at each letter in an image and converts it into real text. pdfjuggler processes pages in your browser using open-source Tesseract technology, so your files stay private.

Step-by-step: Make a scanned PDF searchable with OCR online

  1. Open the OCR tool and click Select PDF.
  2. Pick the document language for best accuracy.
  3. Upload your file and let the browser build a hidden text layer.
  4. When processing finishes, press Download to save the searchable PDF.
  5. Test search or copy text to confirm the OCR worked.

Tips

  • For best results, use high-resolution scans.
  • Combine with the Compress tool if the scan is large.
  • Need to fix rotation first? Try the Rotate tool.

Compared with Smallpdf or iLovePDF, pdfjuggler performs OCR directly in your browser using open-source Tesseract, while those services upload pages to the cloud and often limit free usage.

OCR makes old scanned paperwork instantly searchable and accessible. Give your archives new life with a quick pass through pdfjuggler, then tidy pages with the Organize & Rotate guide or learn to sign PDFs online.

For more PDF help, see our complete toolkit guide or try the Split PDF tool to manage pages.

FAQ

Which languages does the OCR tool support?

It uses Tesseract and supports dozens of languages; choose the one that matches your document.

Does OCR change the original layout?

No, it adds a hidden text layer while keeping the original images intact.

Can I OCR multiple PDFs at once?

Process one file at a time, then merge results with the Merge tool if needed.

Does the OCR tool handle handwriting?

It's best with printed text—handwriting may not be recognized.

Is pdfjuggler secure?

Yes, processing happens locally in your browser so files never leave your device.

Can I use this offline?

Yes, once loaded, the tool works even without an internet connection.