Make Scanned PDFs Searchable With Local OCR
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Choose a scanned PDF and the pages to recognize.
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Run the browser-local OCR model and review recognized text and confidence.
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Download the visually preserved PDF with an embedded search layer.
Private workspace
Recognize scan and handwriting pixels locally, then add a searchable text layer.
Add searchable text to a scanned PDF locally
Use OCR Searchable PDF when you want to keep a scanned document as a PDF and make its recognized text searchable. Choose the pages to recognize, run local OCR, review the extracted text, and download the searchable copy. The recognition model runs in your browser rather than receiving your document on a server.
What to check before sharing
OCR can misread small text, unusual fonts, columns, and handwriting. Check names, amounts, and other important details against the original. A searchable text layer does not make a PDF fully accessible or turn it into a tagged document. Initial OCR asset downloads and processing can take time on mobile devices.
Common questions
How is this different from PDF to Markdown?
Searchable PDF keeps the PDF format and adds recognized text behind the page appearance. PDF to Markdown produces editable text and does not preserve the original page layout. Choose the output that fits your next task.
Does the visible page prove the OCR is correct?
No. The page image can look unchanged even if the recognized text is wrong. Review the recognized text and test searching or copying in the downloaded file.
Can I recognize only part of a document?
Yes. Select the pages that need OCR. Check the output summary to confirm which pages receive recognized text; do not assume unselected scanned pages become searchable.
Related tools and workflows
These links open a new tab, leaving this workspace untouched. To carry a downloaded PDF into another tool, choose “Use in another tool” in the download options.
- Combine scan images into a PDF first
- Convert recognized text to editable Markdown
- Correct scanned page orientation
Your document is processed locally. The website still fetches app assets and sends anonymous page-visit and performance analytics, not document contents or filenames. Read the privacy details (new tab).