If you’ve just scanned a document, you might be wondering how to edit the scanned PDF file. Having a PDF file of a document offers numerous advantages.
Firstly, it allows for easy, quick, and practical sharing – whether through email or file-sharing platforms like Google Drive. This is a stark contrast to physical copies which require postal services or couriers, often taking days. Secondly, and importantly, you can actually edit the text within these scanned documents!
However, the scanning process often treats the scan output as an image. The text within isn’t recognized, leaving you unable to edit it. Don’t worry, carcodepro.com has compiled a straightforward guide to help you edit text from scanned documents without any hassle. Let’s dive into the steps.
Editing Scanned PDFs Using PC Applications
One approach to editing scanned PDF files is by utilizing PC applications. The benefits are numerous: you don’t need a constant internet connection for editing, and you gain access to a wide range of features, such as creating PDFs, merging documents, converting file extensions, and more.
1. Download Foxit PhantomPDF
Alt text: Foxit PhantomPDF download page showcasing the download button for the PDF editor software.
The first step is to visit the website of a reputable PDF editor software provider like Foxit PhantomPDF. Navigate to their download page by clicking this link and click the “Download Foxit PhantomPDF” button.
On the subsequent page, fill in your details as requested and click “Download Free Trial”. You can choose either EXE or MSI – both file types serve the same purpose. Once the setup file is downloaded, run it to install the application on your computer.
2. Launch Foxit PhantomPDF Application
Alt text: Foxit PhantomPDF application launch screen with the “Free Trial” option highlighted for users to select.
Launch the application and click on the Free Trial option. You’ll see several options like Business, Standard, or Education. All of these editions include the feature to edit scanned PDFs, but they differ in additional features and functionalities. Feel free to choose whichever suits you best.
Next, you’ll be prompted to enter some personal details for registration. Click Register Now after completing all the fields. A message will confirm that you have successfully obtained a 14-day free trial. After successful installation, open the application, click Open File, and select the scanned PDF file you wish to edit.
3. Perform OCR on the Document
Now, it’s time to perform OCR on your document. OCR stands for Optical Character Recognition, a technology that recognizes characters or text within image and PDF files. Once the text is recognized, you can search for keywords and edit the file.
Select the Convert tab and choose the OCR menu. Two options are available: Current File and Multiple Files. As the names suggest, Multiple Files allows you to make several PDF files editable simultaneously. For this guide, click Current File, choose “Editable Text”, and then click OK. Wait for a moment while the OCR process completes.
4. Edit Your PDF File Freely
Alt text: Foxit PhantomPDF interface showing a scanned PDF document open and ready for text editing within the application.
Your scanned PDF file is now editable! Don’t be surprised if there are slight changes in the layout or formatting. OCR isn’t always perfectly accurate – some characters might be misrecognized or even missing.
This often occurs if the scanned document is slightly blurry, making it difficult for the application to accurately recognize the characters. Select the Edit tab and click on the Edit Text menu. Now you can edit your scanned PDF file as needed. Remember to save your changes (press CTRL + S on your keyboard) when you’re finished.
Editing Scanned PDFs Through Your Browser
Having learned how to edit scanned PDF files using PC applications, you might want to explore another method. The previous method requires downloading and installing software – and it’s only fully functional during the 14-day free trial.
Instead of purchasing software, consider using an online method that doesn’t require any installations. Here’s how to edit scanned PDF files using your browser.
1. Visit an Online OCR Provider Website
Alt text: NewOCR.com website homepage displayed in a web browser, showing the file upload section for online OCR conversion.
First, you need to find an online OCR provider, many of which are available on the internet. For this tutorial, we’ll use NewOCR.com. Why NewOCR.com? Because it’s one of the OCR sites that doesn’t limit the number of PDF files you can upload. Type “https://newocr.com” into your browser’s search bar and press Enter.
2. Upload Your Scanned PDF File
You will see a Choose File button that allows you to browse for your PDF file and upload it to their server. And yes, your documents are secure! All files uploaded here are immediately deleted by the server, ensuring no information is compromised.
After selecting your PDF file, click the Preview button. On the next page, you can select the language used in your PDF file – NewOCR.com supports multiple languages including English. After choosing the language, select the OCR menu to make your document editable.
3. Edit Your PDF Text
Alt text: NewOCR.com interface displaying extracted text from a scanned PDF, presented in a text box for online editing and download options.
The text contained within the PDF will be extracted and displayed in a text box, which you can copy and edit as you wish. Furthermore, the text can be downloaded back in DOCX and TXT formats, giving you editable files. Congratulations, you have successfully obtained editable text from your scanned PDF file!
Keep in mind that using online OCR tools in a browser may not be as accurate as using PC applications. Also, text formatting (font, size, margins) in the final file might be slightly different. This is due to the limited features compared to dedicated software.
So, there you have it – several methods you can use to edit scanned PDF files. Whether using applications or browsers, both have their own pros and cons. If you have ample internet data, using applications is recommended for better accuracy and feature richness. Utilize the free trial period of applications for more demanding tasks, and for occasional edits, browser-based OCR is a convenient alternative. Happy editing!
