Scanned PDF text extraction

Extract Editable Text From a Scanned PDF

Upload one image-based or non-selectable PDF. Get review-ready DOCX, HTML, Markdown, TXT, and document.json files for $0.99 per document.

Handwriting recovery is not validated. Read the measured limits below before purchasing. Inspect a verified printed example.

$0.99 per documentOne-time purchase, no subscription

Editable filesDOCX, HTML, Markdown, TXT and document.json

Review-readyCheck uncertain text against the source

Upload your scanned PDF - $0.99 See a difficult-scan example

No subscription. Results depend on the source scan. Review the extracted text before relying on it.

Start one recovery

Choose one scanned PDF or image PDF, PNG, JPG/JPEG or WEBP. Your browser checks format and capacity first. No document selected yet.

One document recovery - $0.99 The secure upload completes before Stripe opens. You are not charged if checkout does not open.

Editable packageReview-ready DOCX, HTML, Markdown, TXT and generic document.json files.

Review requiredAI-assisted extraction must be checked against the original document.

Select a file to validate it before secure upload and checkout.

Cloud processing is used. Only upload material you are authorized to process.

Message match

You cannot select or copy the text.

Many scanned PDFs contain page images instead of a usable text layer. The document may open and look readable, but selecting, copying or searching returns nothing useful. DocUnlocked makes a new extraction attempt from the visible page content and prepares editable files for review.

Get editable files, not a rebuilt PDF promise.

The review package includes DOCX, HTML, Markdown, TXT and a generic document.json representation, together with summary, source-manifest and review-flag files. It does not promise a new searchable PDF, preservation of the original page layout or exact reconstruction of columns and visual styling.

When your first OCR output is unusable.

A first OCR pass can flatten columns, merge lines or return plausible-looking character substitutions. This workflow makes another extraction attempt with structure and source references, but it does not guarantee repair. Names, dates, identifiers, amounts and other extracted passages need visual comparison with the scan.

Tables are conditional.

CSV and XLSX files are included only when detectable table structure supports them. They are absent when rows and columns cannot be identified reliably. Any extracted table still requires cell-by-cell review; formulas and spreadsheet logic are not reconstructed.

Public difficult-scan example

Alexander Graham Bell notebook, Library of Congress.

This public notebook image shows the kind of faint writing, irregular line breaks and marginal placement that makes plain OCR difficult.

Faded Alexander Graham Bell laboratory notebook page from the Library of Congress

Our September 24, 2026 test retained four of eight preselected text landmarks on this Bell page, with meaning-changing substitutions in other passages. This is not a full-page accuracy score. The page does not validate dependable handwriting transcription.

Source: Alexander Graham Bell notebook, Library of Congress. Test status updated September 24, 2026. Inspect the Atlas case.

Questions before uploading.

Will you make my original PDF searchable?

DocUnlocked extracts the document into editable, review-ready files. It does not guarantee a rebuilt searchable PDF or preservation of the original page layout.

Is the text guaranteed accurate?

No. Accuracy depends on scan quality, fonts, handwriting and layout. Compare all extracted text with the source; automatic checks do not identify every recognition error.

Do tables always become CSV or Excel?

CSV and XLSX contain extracted rows only when a table is detected; otherwise they contain a no-table notice.

Is document.json a custom schema?

No. It is a generic document representation, not a custom business schema or API response.

Not ready to purchase?

Check your document format and basic readability free, compare the structured Markdown workflow, or return to the DocUnlocked hub.