A scanned PDF is a picture of a page, so you can’t search it or copy from it. OCR (optical character recognition) reads the text in the images and adds an invisible text layer, so the PDF looks the same but becomes searchable and selectable.
Recognition runs in your browser, so scanned contracts, statements and IDs are never uploaded. It currently reads English text; always check names and numbers.
How to oCR PDF
- Choose the scanned PDF.
- Click Start OCR and wait while each page is read.
- Download the searchable PDF.
Private by design
Most online PDF sites upload your file to their server. AK Smarts PDF opens and processes it inside your own browser, on your computer or phone, so salary slips, bank statements, Aadhaar and PAN copies, and contracts never leave your device. It works on Windows, Mac, Android and iPhone, and you can install it like an app to open PDFs with a double-click.
Questions
Which languages are supported?
English text is recognised. Other languages may give poor results for now.
How long does OCR take?
A few seconds per page on a modern computer; longer on phones.
Can I convert a scan to Word or Excel?
Yes. PDF to Word and PDF to Excel can read scanned pages too.
Is AK Smarts PDF safe for confidential files?
Yes. Files are opened and processed on your own computer or phone and are never uploaded to our server. Only e-Sign sends a short fingerprint of the document, never the document itself.
Does OCR PDF work on my phone?
Yes. AK Smarts PDF works in Chrome, Safari, Edge and Firefox on Android, iPhone, Windows and Mac. You can also install it like an app.
