Convert PDF to text (.txt)
Get the words out of a PDF or a scanned document as a plain .txt file. Upload or scan the pages, and download the text -- free, in your browser, no account needed.
How it works
- Open the scanner and upload your PDF, photos, or use your camera.
- Under Export, choose TXT. Pages are read with text recognition automatically.
- Download the .txt file.
What it is good for
Pulling the words out of a scanned letter, receipt or photographed page as plain text you can paste anywhere.
Supported files and limits
Files: PDF files, photos and camera captures. Scanned pages are read in English.
- Text recognition accuracy depends on scan quality: a sharp, well-lit, straight page reads best.
- The .txt file has no formatting, images or layout -- just the recognised words, one line per line of text.
- English only for now.
Your files and privacy
Your file is processed in your browser, on your own device. It is not uploaded to PDFScanner's servers. PDFScanner counts basic usage, such as which tool was opened, but never sees what is inside your document. The text engine is served from PDFScanner itself, not a third-party service.
Questions and answers
- Does this work on scanned PDFs?
- Yes. Scanned and photographed pages are read with English text recognition before being exported as text.
- Will the text keep the PDF's layout?
- No. A .txt file is plain text with no formatting, columns or images -- just the words.