From image-only scan to a searchable, shareable PDF
A scanned contract or receipt is often just a picture. Run OCR so the text can be searched, fix a few lines, tidy the pages, then compress and protect the file before you share it.
How to tell the PDF is only an image
If you cannot select or search the text, the file is probably a scan. OCR reads the page image and adds a text layer. Only upload files you own or are authorized to process.
Run OCR first
Open OCR PDF in your browser, upload the scan, and wait for the text layer. Check a few lines before you go further—headings, stamps, and faint type are the usual places the reading slips.
Make light edits and tidy the pages
Use Edit PDF for short corrections. Rotate crooked pages, reorder them, or delete extras. If a cover sheet is in another file, merge it in so the packet is complete.
Optional: get the text into Word or a text file
If you also need the text in a document or a plain text file, you can convert the searchable PDF to Word or to text. The main goal of this guide is a usable PDF you can share; conversion is an optional extra step, not the whole job.
Compress and protect before you share
When the pages are in order, compress the file so it is easier to send. If it is confidential, add a password. Add page numbers if the packet is long.
What happens to your file
These tools run in the browser; you do not need a separate app. Files are deleted after use: if processing never starts, they are removed after about 60 minutes; after the first view, after about 60 minutes; and in any case within about 24 hours. The privacy policy has the full detail.
Common questions
Do I need to install an app?
No. OCR and the other steps in this guide run in the browser on a phone or a computer.
Does OCR work on any scanned file?
It works best on clear, upright pages. Use it only on files you own or are allowed to process. Skewed, dark, or very low-resolution scans may need a rotate or a cleaner rescan first.
Is this mainly a way to turn a PDF into Word?
No. The usual path is: make the scan searchable, edit and organize it, then share a PDF. Converting to Word or to text is optional if you also need an editable document.
How long do you keep my file?
Unprocessed files are removed after about 60 minutes. After the first view, they are removed after about 60 minutes, with a hard limit of about 24 hours.
Who can I contact if something goes wrong?
Email szsoftwell2026@gmail.com.