Use case
How to Make a Scanned PDF Searchable
Turn scanned PDFs into searchable documents by adding a text layer while keeping visual layout for review and printing.
Implementation guidance
If your PDF came from a scanner, copied text search usually fails because there is no text layer. OCR solves this by recognizing characters and adding searchable text while retaining page appearance.
Choose the OCR language that matches the source document to improve accuracy. Mixed-language files may need separate passes or manual review after export, especially for numeric tables and symbols.
Use FoxyPDF OCR when you need searchable archives, faster review, or copy-and-paste support from scanned pages.
Step-by-step workflow
4 steps- 1Upload the scanned PDF to OCR PDF.
- 2Select language and OCR mode.
- 3Run processing and download searchable output.
- 4Test search and copy behavior in your PDF viewer.
FAQ
Does OCR change the original layout?
OCR keeps page visuals and adds searchable text on top, though recognition quality depends on scan clarity.
Can OCR read handwritten notes?
Printed text is more reliable. Handwriting accuracy varies based on style and scan quality.
Why are some words recognized incorrectly?
Low resolution, skewed scans, and wrong language selection reduce OCR accuracy.
Can I OCR first and then convert to Word?
Yes. OCR first often improves downstream conversion quality.