OCR (text recognition) is incredibly useful for anyone who needs to convert physical paper documents into readable digital documents, automate tasks like transcribing from paper documents, or anyone who wants to transform images of text, into selectable and searchable data.
Drawboard
Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is a text recognition technology that is used to convert different types of documents, such as scanned paper documents, non-selectable PDF files or screenshots and photos of text, into selectable and searchable data. It works by analyzing the shapes and patterns of text characters in these documents and then translating them into machine-readable text.
How OCR typically works:
When OCR is run on a scanned document or image of text, the document is analyzed to detect characters that resemble text. When text characters are identified, an invisible film of text is placed on top of the image, enabling you to select, search or copy and paste identified text.
OCR makes documents machine-readable and digitally interactive. Because of this it can be incredibly useful for anyone who needs to convert physical paper documents into readable digital documents for archiving and easy retrieval.
Enhance accessibility
OCR can make scanned documents and images of text accessible to individuals with visual impairments. This is because text recognition identifies text and transforms it into a format that is readable to screen readers.
Enable searchability
OCR enables you to search and find words or sections of your PDFs that would otherwise be non-selectable and non-searchable. With OCR, there’s no need to endlessly scroll to find what you need. A quick CTRL+F will enable you to find what you’re looking for in seconds.
Automate repetitive tasks
Because OCR enables the ability to copy and paste PDF content, it can help to automate tasks that would otherwise be performed manually, like transcribing text from high volume text documents.
Straighten text for improved clarity
Some PDF editors, like Drawboard PDF, have text straightening built into their OCR feature. This means that running OCR on a document also straightens text on the page. This can help to enhance the legibility of your documents, making them easier to read and work with.
Unlock the ability to annotate on text
Need to review and mark up documents? OCR can unlock the ability to use text review tools like text highlighters, underline tools, strikethroughs and text redaction, better enabling you to review, analyze and feedback on documents.
On Drawboard PDF, OCR also unlocks the ability to use the text review export feature. This feature allows you to export your annotated text (eg. underlined or highlighted text), making it the perfect tool for anyone who needs to get a quick summary of a document or make quick notes.
OCR (text recognition) is a game-changer for anyone who wants to streamline repetitive work and automate tasks that would otherwise be conducted manually.
Want to use OCR?
OCR is available to all Pro Plus and Pro Unlimited users on the Drawboard PDF Windows app. Right-click anywhere on your document in Drawboard PDF and tap Run OCR (text recognition) to get started. Don't have Pro? To try it for free, start a 7 day free trial.
If you would like to learn more about how to run OCR on a document using Drawboard PDF, check out our support article
Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is a text recognition technology that is used to convert different types of documents, such as scanned paper documents, non-selectable PDF files or screenshots and photos of text, into selectable and searchable data. It works by analyzing the shapes and patterns of text characters in these documents and then translating them into machine-readable text.
How OCR typically works:
When OCR is run on a scanned document or image of text, the document is analyzed to detect characters that resemble text. When text characters are identified, an invisible film of text is placed on top of the image, enabling you to select, search or copy and paste identified text.
OCR makes documents machine-readable and digitally interactive. Because of this it can be incredibly useful for anyone who needs to convert physical paper documents into readable digital documents for archiving and easy retrieval.
Enhance accessibility
OCR can make scanned documents and images of text accessible to individuals with visual impairments. This is because text recognition identifies text and transforms it into a format that is readable to screen readers.
Enable searchability
OCR enables you to search and find words or sections of your PDFs that would otherwise be non-selectable and non-searchable. With OCR, there’s no need to endlessly scroll to find what you need. A quick CTRL+F will enable you to find what you’re looking for in seconds.
Automate repetitive tasks
Because OCR enables the ability to copy and paste PDF content, it can help to automate tasks that would otherwise be performed manually, like transcribing text from high volume text documents.
Straighten text for improved clarity
Some PDF editors, like Drawboard PDF, have text straightening built into their OCR feature. This means that running OCR on a document also straightens text on the page. This can help to enhance the legibility of your documents, making them easier to read and work with.
Unlock the ability to annotate on text
Need to review and mark up documents? OCR can unlock the ability to use text review tools like text highlighters, underline tools, strikethroughs and text redaction, better enabling you to review, analyze and feedback on documents.
On Drawboard PDF, OCR also unlocks the ability to use the text review export feature. This feature allows you to export your annotated text (eg. underlined or highlighted text), making it the perfect tool for anyone who needs to get a quick summary of a document or make quick notes.
OCR (text recognition) is a game-changer for anyone who wants to streamline repetitive work and automate tasks that would otherwise be conducted manually.
Want to use OCR?
OCR is available to all Pro Plus and Pro Unlimited users on the Drawboard PDF Windows app. Right-click anywhere on your document in Drawboard PDF and tap Run OCR (text recognition) to get started. Don't have Pro? To try it for free, start a 7 day free trial.
If you would like to learn more about how to run OCR on a document using Drawboard PDF, check out our support article