Extract text from PNG screenshots (the most common use case)
PNG is the default screenshot format on many devices. OCR helps when the text is visible but not selectable or copyable.
Screenshot PNG → text
Most screenshots save as PNG. Extract text from error messages, emails, chat screenshots, PDFs, and slides.
Diagrams + labels
Pull labels from charts and diagrams saved as PNG (common in documentation and slide exports).
Scans exported as PNG
OCR scanned pages saved as PNG so the text becomes selectable and reusable.
If you want a searchable document (not just copied text), convert images to PDF using Image to PDF then run OCR PDF.
How to convert PNG to text online (3 steps)
1) Upload your PNG image
Upload a PNG screenshot or image that contains text. Crop tight to the text region for best results.
2) Select the correct language (recommended)
Selecting the right language improves OCR accuracy—especially for accents and language-specific characters.
3) Run OCR, then copy/paste the extracted text
Copy the text into Word/Docs/email. If your source is a PDF screenshot and you want a searchable PDF, use Make PDF Searchable.
Fix common PNG OCR problems (quick wins)
OCR misses characters in my PNG screenshot
Zoom in before taking the screenshot, crop to the text region, and avoid downscaled images.
Accents / language characters are wrong
Select the correct language before OCR (French/Spanish/Portuguese especially).
Output is broken into weird lines
Screenshots of text blocks work best. Crop tight to the paragraph and avoid mixed layouts (tables + columns) if possible.
No fluff — accuracy depends on the image
Screenshots usually OCR best. If your PNG is blurry, downscaled, or low-contrast, expect OCR errors—verify important text.
Turn PNG OCR into a full workflow
Many PNGs → one PDF
Combine images into a PDF using Image to PDF then OCR using OCR PDF.
Need text from a PDF?
Use PDF to Text or Make PDF Searchable.
Want editable documents?
OCR first, then convert using PDF to Word or PDF to Excel.
All image formats
Use Image to Text for JPG/PNG and other images.
FAQs
How do I convert PNG to text online?
Upload your PNG image, select the correct language (recommended), run OCR, then copy the extracted text. This converts a PNG screenshot or image into editable text.
Why is PNG great for screenshots?
PNG is commonly used for screenshots because it preserves sharp text edges. That usually makes OCR cleaner than heavily compressed images.
Do I need to choose a language for PNG OCR?
It’s optional, but selecting the correct language usually improves OCR accuracy—especially for accented letters and language-specific characters.
Can I OCR a scanned PDF instead of PNG?
Yes—use OCR PDF or Make PDF Searchable for PDFs. This page is optimized for PNG images and screenshots.
Can I convert multiple pages at once?
If you have a multi-page PDF, use Split PDF to keep only the pages you need, then run OCR. For multiple images, combine them into a PDF first if you want one searchable file.
Can I download the extracted text?
After OCR, you can copy and paste text anywhere. For document workflows, OCR a PDF and then convert to Word/Excel if needed.
Convert PNG to text now
Upload a PNG screenshot, choose language, run OCR, and copy the text instantly.
Upload PNG