CleverDocu · Guides

Scan documents and recognise text with OCR

Turn photographed paperwork into an organised file. Capture pages with your camera or gallery, check cropping and orientation, then use OCR if you need editable text.

The right tools

How to get started

  1. 01

    Photograph the whole page as straight and sharp as possible, without shadows over text.

  2. 02

    Check page edges, rotation and order before saving the scanned PDF.

  3. 03

    Select the appropriate OCR language and verify recognised names, numbers and amounts.

The right tools

Scan documents and save as PDF for free

Capture documents with your camera, crop, optimise, recognise text and save them locally as PDF.

Open tool

Free OCR – extract text from scans

Recognise text in images and scanned PDFs directly in your browser and export it to Word or PDF.

Open tool

Images to PDF

Convert JPG, PNG or WEBP files into one PDF.

Open tool

Rotate pages

Rotate all or selected pages by 90°, 180° or 270°.

Open tool

PDF to Word

Save digital PDF text as an editable DOCX file.

Open tool

PDF to text

Extract existing digital text from a PDF.

Open tool

A worked example

Scan documents and recognise text with OCR

Photograph a two-page letter, crop it and arrange the pages, then save as PDF. For an editable text version, use OCR and check lookalike characters such as 0/O and 1/l before reusing the text.

Frequently asked questions

Does scanning automatically make the text editable?

A scan may initially contain only page images. Text recognition produces recognised text from those images. A readable image and accurately recognised text therefore need separate checks.

Why does OCR sometimes return incorrect characters?

Blur, angled pages, shadows, unusual fonts and recognition language can affect results. Compare the output with the original; automatically recognised numbers are not automatically correct.

Crop images for Instagram: 1:1, 4:5 and 16:9

Prepare an image with a fixed aspect ratio instead of stretching it. In Change image format, choose a preset, check cropping or fitting and save as JPG, PNG or WebP. Check the platform preview afterwards: a post and its profile-grid thumbnail may display differently.

Read guide

Reduce a PDF for upload: check the size limit and preserve readability

An upload limit is about file size, not just page count. Inspect the original, remove unnecessary pages from a working copy and compare compression modes. A particular target size or percentage reduction is not achievable for every PDF.

Read guide

Extract PDF text or use OCR: choose the right approach

A PDF can contain actual text, scanned images or both. Check whether text is selectable first. Extract existing text directly and use OCR for image pages. This avoids unnecessary recognition and makes output limitations clearer.

Read guide

Organise PDF pages: merge, split and reorder

Choose the right PDF action: merge files, extract selected pages, delete pages or change their order. A clear sequence makes it easier to check the finished document.

Read guide

Convert PDF files: Word, images and text

Find the right route between PDF, DOCX, images and text. First check whether the PDF contains selectable text or scanned images. That determines whether direct text extraction or OCR is appropriate.

Read guide

Application PDF: prepare your CV and supporting files

Create your CV, cover letter and other required documents using existing generators. Then arrange the PDFs, combine them if needed and check the recipient’s requirements before sending.

Read guide

Create invoices and quotes: choose the right document workflow

Distinguish quotes, invoices, receipts and payment reminders before creating a document. Use the existing generators and check amounts, recipient details and required information before downloading the PDF.

Read guide

Prepare PDFs for sending: check file size and content

Check a finished PDF for readability, page order and file size. Use compression, a page report or a signature when needed, then inspect the downloaded final version before sending.

Read guide