Convert Scanned PDF to Word with OCR

Use our quick online tool to convert scanned PDF into DOCX for free, or download
our accurate desktop converter for advanced OCR and batch conversion to Word.

Convert Scanned PDF to Word Online Free

Evaluate Able2Extract PDF OCR technology 100% free.
No email required, completely anonymous.

How to convert scanned PDF to Word free online:

Step 1: Upload your scanned PDF file.

Step 2: Download the converted Word document.

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Desktop PDF to Word Converter with OCR

Get our Able2Extract Professional software and enjoy the best conversion results possible thanks to its next-generation OCR engine:

Key Differences Between our Online and Desktop Converters

No Download Needed

With our online PDF to Word OCR tool, you convert your scanned files online directly in your browser (an active internet connection is required).

No Internet Needed

Able2Extract PRO works completely offline. You can use it to convert your docs offline without having to upload files to external servers for conversion.

The Quicker Way

The online scanned PDF to Word converter only converts entire image PDFs to DOCX with a 2-step conversion process. No advanced conversion options.

The More Accurate Way

Unlike the free online converter, Able2Extract PRO offers the latest generation OCR engine with advanced settings and selective conversion options.

OCR for Scanned Files in English

The online converter automatically recognizes scanned PDF text and converts it to an editable Word file, but can’t recognize non-English characters.

Multi-language OCR Engine

The OCR engine in Able2Extract PRO can successfully convert scanned documents in English, Spanish, French, German and 8 additional languages.

Only Whole Documents

You can convert whole PDFs only which can induce longer waiting times for large documents. Recognition algorithm underperforms on graphical elements.

Partial Conversions + R2V

Ability to perform partial page conversions (supported by Raster-to-Vector) makes Able2Extract Pro the best choice for both scanned text and graphical elements.

1 Free Conversion per Day

One free conversion action per day - no email address required. The file size limit is 50 MB. We use a 2048-bits RSA key with SHA-256 encryption.

7-day Free Trial

Able2Extract PRO has a 3-page conversion limit after one unrestricted conversion action. Purchasing a license removes this limitation.

PDF Converter with Basic OCR

Our free online tool can only convert scanned PDF to Word. You can’t select a different output file format like Excel or use batch processing and other advanced features.

Full-featured PDF Software

Able2Extract PRO is a complete solution packed with advanced PDF conversion, editing, OCR, security and eSignature tools for all your PDF needs.

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Go Beyond Basic Scanned PDF Conversion with Able2Extract PRO

Powerful Multi-Language OCR Engine

Utilize our high-fidelity OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology to turn any scanned PDF into an accessible Word document you can edit right away.

Convert Only the Text You Need

You don’t have to convert the entire PDF file. Use Able2Extract to extract a desired page range, a specific page, or even a part of a single page.

Convert Image PDF to Other Formats

Besides conversion to Word, you can easily convert scanned PDF to Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, AutoCAD, HTML, CSV, and various image file formats.

No Internet? No Problem!

Able2Extract works offline - no need to access the internet or upload your PDFs to external servers. Conversions are performed locally on your computer.

Lifetime Access to Every Tool

With Able2Extract PRO you get unlimited access to its OCR technology along with all other PDF conversion, editing, security and signature tools.

More Able2Extract's PDF Features

Scanned PDF to Word FAQ

What does OCR mean?

OCR stands for Optical Character Recognition. This is advanced technology that enables you to transform hard copy documents and images into editable digital files, or to extract data locked inside scanned PDFs into easy-to-edit file formats like Microsoft Word and Excel.

What is OCR software?

Software equipped with OCR (Optical Character Recognition) offers users the ability to work with data from scanned documents that are saved as digital file formats, especially PDF.

Optical character recognition scans image-based files looking for text and tries to recognize individual characters. Once visual clues inside the document are matched with any character in the underlying character database, OCR produces machine-encoded text that users can edit in word processors.

For example, an OCR program can transform a picture of an invoice into an editable invoice. It can save you time on manually retyping textual content from a PDF or an image file.

One more benefit of using OCR software is related to making paper documentation digitally searchable. Once all your scanned documents have been OCRed, you can easily search for a specific document or even a keyword across the whole set of documents.

OCR technology is getting more accurate every year thanks to AI algorithms and increased processing power of hardware and software tools. That’s why it is important to have the latest version at hand for the best OCR results possible.

One more thing to take into consideration is language support. Advanced solutions have the ability to extract special characters for multiple languages whether they are phonograms (e.g. Latin alphabet) or logograms (e.g. Chinese characters).

How to OCR a PDF?

If you want a free solution for turning scanned PDF content into digitally editable text, look no further than Investintech’s scanned PDF to Word OCR converter.

You can drag-and-drop a file into the conversion rectangle on this page to start the upload or simply click the rectangle to browse for a file on your computer you’d like to OCR. Once the upload is complete, the conversion will start automatically. Once finished, you will be able to download the Word file and start another conversion with no daily limits per user.

If you want to have more flexibility over your conversion and the range of output file formats available, try Able2Extract Professional that comes with a powerful OCR engine baked right in to provide you with a complete desktop PDF solution for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

You can choose to convert everything or just a portion of a document, extract special characters in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Greek, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Swedish, and Norwegian languages. Make scanned PDFs searchable without conversion, and get the editable file into various file formats.

The best part - there’s no need to do anything manually! Able2Extract Pro recognizes a scanned (image-based) PDF when opened and performs OCR automatically. Just open a document and click on the file format of your choice, Able2Extract will do all the heavy lifting for you.