OCR PDF - Make Text Selectable

A scanned PDF without a text layer can't be searched, copied from, or indexed by search engines.

Upload to Ask PDF and type "add OCR text layer" - the AI processes each page and delivers a fully searchable PDF.

Choose file(s) to upload

Files up to 700 MB

Frequently asked questions

What is Ask PDF?

Ask PDF is an AI-powered command tool that edits a PDF from a plain-language request.

Which commands are supported?

Ask PDF currently supports straightening page orientation, removing blank pages, converting pages to A4, putting two pages on one A4 sheet, compressing PDF files, and creating searchable PDFs with OCR when needed.

How many credits does one command use?

Each successful PDF command uses 1 credit. You can purchase credit packs: 10 credits for $2.99 or 50 credits for $9.99. Credits never expire.

Is my PDF stored or shared?

No. Your file is processed entirely in memory for the duration of the request and immediately discarded. We never store, index, or share your document content.

Can Ask PDF make a scanned PDF searchable?

Yes. When a page has no text layer, Ask PDF can use AI OCR and add a hidden text layer so the output PDF can be searched.

Related problems

Make a Scanned PDF Searchable Your PDF is a scanned image - you can't select text, search for words, or copy anything from it. Remove Blank Pages from PDF Scanned documents and exported PDFs often contain unwanted blank or near-blank pages that add file size and look unprofessional.