PDF to Text
Plain text extraction
How to use it
- Drop your PDF onto the page, or click to choose it.
- Choose the pages, or leave it on all.
- Press Get the text, then copy it or download the .txt file.
Questions
Is my PDF uploaded?
No. The text is read in your browser, on your device. The PDF is not sent to a server.
Why did I get no text?
A scanned PDF is a set of pictures of pages, and a picture of a letter is not a letter. Only PDFs made from digital documents carry text. Reading text from pictures needs OCR, which is a different tool.
Will the text keep columns and tables?
Lines are kept as they are on the page, and a blank line is added where the page has a bigger gap, as between paragraphs. Wide gaps between pieces of text, as in the columns of a table, become tab characters, so a table pastes into a spreadsheet in columns. Text set in side-by-side columns comes out line by line across the page, with a tab between the columns.
What about the letters "fi" and "fl" printed as one shape?
They are turned back into the two letters, so the text can be searched and copied as it was typed.
Can I read a password-protected PDF?
Yes, if you know the password. Type it in the Password box. It is used only in your browser to open the file.
Are my files uploaded anywhere?
No. This tool runs in your browser, so your files stay on your device and are never sent to a server.
Is it free?
Yes, you can use it for free. A subscription removes limits and unlocks premium tools.