Make scanned PDFs searchable and editable
Open a scan and recover text you can search, select, and edit. Your PDF stays on your device while Papaya PDF does the work.
Choose scanned PDF Built for scans and image-only PDFs. Your document is not uploaded.More than a text layer
Papaya PDF rebuilds accepted printed scan text as editable PDF text while keeping uncertain content, such as handwriting, in the cleaned page backdrop. Choose searchable image instead when the scan should remain visually untouched.
OCR is useful evidence, not a reason to silently rewrite a document. Review the recovered text before making important changes or sending the finished PDF.
For the best results, start with a clear, upright scan. Handwriting and very degraded photocopies need extra review.
How Scan and OCR works
OCR is most accurate on clear, upright printed pages. Review important recovered text before relying on it.
Keep working with your scanned PDF
Frequently asked questions
Are my PDF files uploaded?
Papaya PDF is built around local document processing. The editor works with your PDF on your device instead of requiring an upload-first workflow.
Can I keep editing after using this tool?
Yes. These tools open into the full Papaya PDF editor, so you can continue editing text, pages, forms, signatures, annotations, and exports from the same workspace.
Why are PDFs hard to edit?
PDFs are finished page descriptions, not live word-processing documents. Read the Papaya PDF post about why PDF editing is tricky.