Best way to convert pictures/scanned documents into searchable PDF (100% free)

Step-by-Step Tutorial: Converting Pictures/Scanned Documents into Searchable PDF for Mac OS for Free

1. Introduction to Textify OCR:

   • Textify OCR is a free and efficient Optical Character Recognition (OCR) tool available for Mac OS.
   • It allows you to convert picture-based PDF documents into searchable text PDFs.

2. Downloading and Installing Textify OCR:

   • Visit the Apple Store and search for "Textify OCR."
   • Download and install the application on your Mac.

3. Converting Picture-Based PDFs:

   • Open Textify OCR and choose between converting a picture or a PDF document.
   • Select the file you want to convert, ensuring it has text that needs to be made searchable.

4. Performing OCR Conversion:

   • If converting a multi-page document, select the PDF option to convert all pages.
   • Wait for the OCR function to process the document and make the text searchable.

5. Saving the Searchable PDF:

   • Once the conversion is complete, highlight and select text within the PDF.
   • Copy the text or save the document as a searchable PDF file.

6. Watermark and Subscription Options:

   • Note that the free version may include a watermark on the converted document.
   • You can choose to pay $14 for a lifetime subscription to Textify Pro to remove the watermark.

7. Adjusting Settings and Languages:

   • Explore settings in Textify OCR to adjust picture quality, language preferences, and document size.
   • Choose from languages like French, English, Italian, and more for accurate text recognition.

8. Exploring Search and Copy Features:

   • Utilize the search function within the converted PDF to find specific words or phrases quickly.
   • Copy text from the PDF for further use or reference.

9. Additional Recommendations:

   • Textify OCR is recommended for its ease of use and effectiveness in converting picture-based documents into searchable PDFs.
   • It is particularly useful for students, professionals, and anyone needing to extract text from scanned documents.

10. Alternative Options for Windows Users:

    • If you are using a Windows machine, consider transferring the converted PDFs and using Adobe Acrobat Reader for similar OCR functionalities.
    • Adobe Acrobat Reader offers robust search capabilities for scanned documents, albeit with a subscription fee.

11. Conclusion:

    • Textify OCR is a valuable tool for Mac users looking to convert picture-based documents into searchable text PDFs for free.
    • Enjoy the benefits of easy text extraction, search functionality, and language support provided by Textify OCR.

12. Closing Remarks:

    • Experiment with Textify OCR to convert and search text in various languages and document types efficiently.
    • Enhance your document management and research capabilities with the OCR features offered by Textify.

By following these steps, you can effectively utilize Textify OCR to convert and search text in picture-based documents on your Mac OS system.