Selecting text in a PDF page by page is slow, and some files do not allow it at all. Extracting the text gives you everything in one go, ready to paste into a document or an email.
How to extract text
- Open PDF to Text and add your file.
- Choose whether to add a page marker such as --- Page 2 --- before each page.
- Press Extract text.
- Copy the result, or download it as a .txt file.
When no text is found
A PDF made from scanned paper is a set of pictures, so there is no text to extract. In that case, run OCR PDF, which reads the pictures and adds real text, then extract again.
What to expect
- You get plain text only. Fonts, colours and pictures are left out.
- Tables become lines of text. Check the layout before you rely on the numbers.
- Columns may appear one after the other.
- Special characters usually come through correctly.
Good uses
- Quoting a paragraph in your own document.
- Translating or summarising the content.
- Searching a long report with your own text tools.
- Cleaning the text afterwards with Remove Line Breaks.
Frequently asked questions
Can it read password protected PDFs?
Not directly. Unlock the PDF first if you have the password.
Is my file uploaded?
No. The work happens in your browser, so your file stays on your device.
Ready to start?
Open PDF to Text