PDF is the most common format for sharing and opening documents because it preserves the file’s formatting across different devices and platforms. But what if you need to extract text from your PDF and edit the content, use it in another document, or simply share it via another app? You can easily convert a PDF file to text on your Mac with PDF Expert.
As a go-to converter that you can download for free, PDF Expect offers a convenient way to transform any PDF to text in just a few clicks.
How to convert PDFs to text files on Mac
- Download PDF Expert for free and launch the app.
- Drag & drop your PDF file into the app to open it.
- Click Export on the top toolbar.
- Select the to Text option.
- Choose the name and the destination for the output text file. Then click Save.
Here’s an example of such PDF to text conversion done with PDF Expert. Get PDF Expert for free!
How to extract text from a PDF document?
In addition to converting a PDF to text, you can also extract a part of the text from a PDF document. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the PDF in PDF Expert
- Got to Edit > Text tool
- Select the text you want to copy by clicking and dragging your cursor over it.
- Right-click on the selected text and choose Copy, or simply use the CMD + C shortcut.
- Paste the text into your desired document or application.
Can I copy text from a PDF file?
Yes, you can easily copy text from most PDF files in PDF Expert using the Edit > Text tool (see above).
However, if the PDF is a scanned document or an image, you will need to use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software to convert a PDF file to text that can be edited and selected.
How to turn scan into text?
To turn a scanned document into text, you will need to use the OCR tool in PDF Expert. OCR software analyzes the scanned image and converts it into editable text.
Here’s how you can do it with PDF Expert:
- Open PDF Expert.
- Open the scanned PDF document by using the drag and drop option or simply by clicking Select File.
- Click Scan & OCR on the toolbar, then select Recognize text.
- When you OCR PDF to text, PDF Expert automatically detects the main language of the document. If the language was not detected correctly, you can choose a language (if there are several, you can choose among 20 different) and click Recognize…
- In a new pop-up window, choose whether you want to use OCR on all pages, the current page, or certain pages. Then, click Apply.
- Now, you can copy the text in the whole document.
How to choose the best PDF to text converter?
With hundreds of converters on the market, you might find it frustrating to choose one. Here are the steps to help you choose the best PDF to text converter:
- Read reviews and ratings. You want a reliable PDF to text converter that users love and use. Reading user reviews can highlight the strengths and weaknesses of certain apps.
- Check the conversion accuracy. Make sure your converter accurately recognizes and converts text, especially from scanned documents. Tools with advanced OCR technology are usually more precise.
- Consider additional features. Look for additional features such as multiple output formats (Word, Excel, text, PNG), annotation tools, and the ability to handle complex PDFs with images and tables.
- Verify the conversion speed. The tool should process documents quickly without compromising on quality, especially if you frequently deal with large files.
- Ensure the security of your documents. The converter should handle your documents securely, particularly when dealing with sensitive or confidential information. A tool like redacting, password-protecting, or saving as a flattened file can help.
Trusted by millions of people and awarded by Apple, PDF Expert is the go-to PDF app for Mac. With powerful tools and effortless design, PDF Expert can help you with any PDF task. Edit, sign, annotate, merge, convert PDFs, and more.