Arabic OCR PDF to Text
Scanned Arabic documents are just pictures, so you can't search or copy a single word. This page runs OCR with Arabic selected and adds a hidden text layer while the pages keep their look, which is how to OCR Arabic PDF files without retyping them. For plain text afterwards, run the searchable file through PDF to text.
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How to OCR an Arabic PDF
- 1Select the scanned PDF.
- 2Keep the language on Arabic, as preset. Switch to Arabic + English if the document mixes both.
- 3Leave Straighten tilted pages and Fix page orientation on, then press OCR PDF.
- 4Download the searchable PDF and search for a word to check it.
- 5For a TXT file, open PDF to text and select the new searchable PDF.
Good to know
- Clear scans give much better Arabic recognition: 300 DPI, good contrast and straight pages help the most.
- Handwriting and decorative calligraphy are rarely recognized well. Printed text in common fonts works far better.
- Diacritics and very small text lower accuracy, so proofread names and numbers.
- Want an editable document instead of plain text? Convert the searchable PDF with PDF to Word.
Frequently asked questions
Can it read Arabic and English in the same file?
Yes. Choose Arabic + English and both scripts are recognized on the same pages.
Will the scanned pages look different after OCR?
No. The pages keep their original look; an invisible text layer is added so you can search, select and copy.
Is my scanned document stored?
No. It's uploaded encrypted, processed and deleted right away. You can use OCR free 3 times a day without signing up.