How to Extract Text from Images: A Complete Guide

Extracting text from images has become an essential skill in today's digital world. Whether you're digitizing old documents, capturing text from screenshots, or converting handwritten notes, Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology makes it possible.

What is OCR?

OCR stands for Optical Character Recognition. It's a technology that converts different types of documents—such as scanned paper documents, PDF files, or images captured by a digital camera—into editable and searchable data.

Why Extract Text from Images?

There are many reasons why you might need to extract text from images:

• Digitize printed documents - Convert physical documents to digital format

• Edit text from screenshots - Copy text that would otherwise require manual typing

• Translate foreign text - Extract text to use with translation tools

• Make content searchable - Enable search functionality for image-based documents

• Accessibility - Make visual content accessible to screen readers

Methods to Extract Text from Images

1. Online OCR Tools

The easiest method is using online OCR tools like Image To Text Converter. Simply:

1. Upload your image

1. Click "Extract Text"

1. Copy or download the extracted text

2. Mobile Apps

Many mobile apps offer OCR functionality:

• Google Lens

• Microsoft Office Lens

• Adobe Scan

3. Desktop Software

For heavy-duty OCR work:

• Adobe Acrobat Pro

• ABBYY FineReader

• Tesseract (open-source)

Tips for Better OCR Results

1. Use high-quality images - Higher resolution means better accuracy

1. Ensure good lighting - Avoid shadows and glare

1. Keep text straight - Align documents properly before scanning

1. Use high contrast - Dark text on light background works best

1. Clean the source - Remove any smudges or marks

Conclusion

Extracting text from images is easier than ever with modern OCR technology. Whether you choose an online tool, mobile app, or desktop software, the key is selecting the right tool for your specific needs.

Try our free Image To Text Converter to experience accurate, fast text extraction today!