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PDF CONVERSION · ONLINE
PDF to text Online
Extract selectable text into a plain text file.
Extract selectable text into a plain text file. Keep the source until you've opened and checked the downloaded result.
This works best when the PDF already contains selectable text.
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PDF to text: the job it actually does
Extract selectable text into a plain text file.
Selectable text and scanned text are different problems
A normal text extractor can read text objects already stored in a PDF. A scanned page may look like text to a person while containing only an image, which needs OCR instead.
If you can't select the words in the source PDF, use OCR instead of expecting a text extractor to invent a text layer.
copy report text into notes or drafts
Copy report text into notes or drafts. Create searchable plain-text archives. Both jobs fit because they ask the tool to do exactly what its output is designed for, without adding an unrelated conversion.
The point where PDF to text stops helping
Use PDF OCR for image-based scans. Use PDF to Word if you need a document container rather than plain extracted text.
FAQ
What does PDF to text actually do?
Extract selectable text into a plain text file.
What should I check before I use the output?
A normal text extractor can read text objects already stored in a PDF. A scanned page may look like text to a person while containing only an image, which needs OCR instead. If you can't select the words in the source PDF, use OCR instead of expecting a text extractor to invent a text layer.
Related tools
If PDF to text solves only one part of the document job, keep the next operation separate so the result is easy to verify. The PDF workflow guide has broader context if you need it.