Unlock Chrome’s Latest Functionality: Convert Scanned PDFs into Searchable and Editable Documents for Easy Text Retrieval

Key Notes

  • Google Chrome introduces OCR capabilities for scanned PDFs.
  • Feature called ‘PDF Searchify’ enables text search and extraction.
  • Activation involves enabling a browser flag for enhanced functionality.

Unlocking Text from Scanned PDFs: Chrome’s New OCR Feature

Google has rolled out a revolutionary Optical Character Recognition feature in its Chrome browser PDF Viewer, designed to streamline the process of extracting text from scanned documents.

Notable Enhancements in Chrome’s PDF Viewer OCR

Google is currently piloting a new feature named ‘PDF Searchify’ within its PDF Viewer, aimed at enhancing text searchability and interaction in scanned PDF documents.

This functionality, previously limited to ChromeOS, is now expanding to allow users on various platforms—including Windows, Mac, and Linux—to easily engage with text within scanned images in PDFs.

The ‘PDF Searchify’ feature employs advanced OCR technology to identify text in PDF images, making the text searchable and editable.

Step 1: Enabling the OCR Feature in Chrome

Follow these steps to get started with the new OCR feature:

  1. Launch the Google Chrome browser.
  2. Type chrome://flags in the address bar and hit Enter.
  3. Find the flag labeled “ Make the text in PDF images interactable.”
  4. Change the setting to “Enabled” and restart Chrome to activate the feature.

Step 2: Explore Enhanced Text Interaction

Once enabled, you can now open scanned PDFs in Chrome and use the search function to locate and copy text seamlessly.

Summary

Google Chrome is gearing up to revolutionize how users interact with scanned PDF documents through its new OCR feature, allowing for effortless text extraction and editing. The process is easy to activate via browser flags, heralding a new era for users who frequently work with PDFs.

Conclusion

The integration of Optical Character Recognition into Google Chrome’s PDF Viewer is a significant step forward for document accessibility. It’s time to leverage this new feature to enhance your productivity and streamline your workflows!

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is the OCR feature in Google Chrome?

The OCR feature allows users to search for and extract text from scanned PDF documents within Chrome’s PDF Viewer.

How do I enable the OCR feature?

You can enable it by navigating to chrome://flags, searching for “Make the text in PDF images interactable, ” and setting it to “Enabled.”