PDF to text — extract the words from a document
Copy the text already stored in a PDF into a plain text file. Scanned pages need an existing text layer; this tool does not recognise words from pictures.
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This reads embedded text, not words inside pictures. Reading order and characters can be wrong, especially in tables and columns. Compare the extracted text with the PDF before relying on it.
How to use
- Open the PDF. Text extraction starts automatically. Enter the opening password if prompted.
- Check the reading order. Compare a paragraph, a heading and any tables with the original. Columns and unusual fonts may not come through cleanly.
- Copy text or Download .txt. Enable Mark where each page begins if you want page dividers in your notes.
Questions
Why is there little or no text?
The PDF may contain only scans, or its lettering may be stored as shapes rather than characters. A damaged or unusual text layer can also cause trouble. The scanned-document message is a clue, not a diagnosis; try OCR if the page is a picture of words.
Is extraction always accurate?
No. This reads an existing text layer, which may itself contain OCR errors or incomplete character mappings. Words, spaces and symbols can be missing or in the wrong order. Check names, figures and quotations against the visible page.
Will it preserve my table or document layout?
No. The output is plain text. Columns can mix together and table cells can lose their boundaries. Page markers help you find a passage again, but they do not recreate the layout.
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