Why your PDF isn’t searchable (and how to fix it)
Many PDFs from scanners, photos, or old documents are basically images inside a PDF. Images don’t contain real characters — that’s why search and copy fail. OCR fixes this by recognizing text and adding a searchable layer.
Ctrl+F finds nothing
Your PDF is likely a scan (image-only). OCR adds real text so search works.
Can’t highlight or copy text
The PDF doesn’t contain a text layer. OCR recognizes characters and overlays searchable text.
Looks like text but still not searchable
Some PDFs are flattened. OCR rebuilds a searchable layer over the page images.
Want the direct OCR page too? Use OCR PDF (same engine — different intent).
Fastest way to make a long scanned PDF searchable (500-page cap)
Don’t OCR the entire document if you only need a chapter, invoice pages, or a few forms. Extract the pages you need, then OCR the smaller file for faster results.
Split to keep required pages
Use Split PDF to extract only the pages you need, then upload that smaller PDF for OCR here.
Compress if the file is huge
If the scan is very large in MB, run Compress PDF first to speed up uploads and processing.
After OCR, for editing text-based PDFs, try Edit PDF.
How to make a scanned PDF searchable (3 steps)
1) Upload your scanned PDF
Upload the PDF that isn’t searchable. If it’s longer than 500 pages, split it to keep only required pages (faster + stays under the cap).
2) Select the language (recommended)
Choose the document language to improve accuracy—especially for accents (French/Spanish/Portuguese) and tricky characters.
3) Download your searchable PDF
Download the PDF with an invisible text overlay. Ctrl+F now works, and you can copy and reuse text. For conversion workflows, use PDF to Word or PDF to Excel.
OCR accuracy tips (so your searchable PDF is actually usable)
- Select the correct language before OCR (biggest easy win).
- Prefer clear scans: avoid blur, glare, and heavy shadows.
- Keep pages straight (rotate/deskew if necessary).
- If the text is tiny, a higher-quality scan usually beats digital zoom.
Security & privacy
Making a PDF searchable requires processing the document to recognize text. If you’re testing, use sample PDFs or redact sensitive data. Review policies for retention/deletion details.
FAQs
What does “make PDF searchable” mean?
It means adding a real text layer to a PDF so you can search (Ctrl+F), select, and copy text. Scanned PDFs are often just images, so they need OCR to become searchable.
Why can’t I search text in my PDF?
Because it’s probably a scanned/image-only PDF. OCR recognizes text inside the image and adds an invisible text overlay so search works.
Will OCR change the look of my PDF?
No. OCR typically keeps the page appearance the same and adds a hidden text layer on top for search/copy.
Is there a page limit?
Yes — OCR is capped to the first 500 pages for fast processing. If your PDF is longer, split it and OCR only the pages you need.
Do I need to choose a language?
It’s optional, but selecting the correct language usually improves accuracy—especially for accented letters (like French/Spanish/Portuguese) and tricky character shapes.
How can I get better OCR accuracy?
Use clear scans, avoid blur/shadows, keep pages straight, and pick the correct language. If text is tiny, re-scan at higher quality if possible.
Related tools
Prepare scanned PDFs, convert results, and continue editing with these tools:
Make your PDF searchable now
Upload a scanned PDF and download a searchable version. If it’s long, split the pages first to stay under the cap.
Upload PDF