3 Effective Solutions to Edit Scanned PDF Document

edit scanned pdfAs the text in a scanned document is an image and cannot be updated as a regular and editable PDF document, editing a scanned PDF can be difficult. Nevertheless, you can modify them using an Optical Character Recognition software to turn the scanned image into editable text. When the OCR software identifies characters in a scanned image, a new, searchable, and editable PDF file is created. After creating the PDF, you can use a PDF editor to alter the text, pictures, or other content. Another choice is to use a PDF editor with integrated OCR features. The best thing about it is you can quickly edit the PDFs according to your liking. Furthermore, editing scanned PDFs can help you add a personal touch to the file. You can add new content or remove unwanted pages, insert images, bookmarks, and more. In addition, you can encrypt a password to protect the content of private PDFs. So without further ado, head to the next section to learn how to edit scanned PDF with the best tools in the market!

Methods to Edit Scanned Documents

1. AcePDF

AceThinker PDF has an OCR function that allows you to change your scanned PDF to searchable and editable formats. Word, editable PDF, PPT, Excel, and plain text are some of the formats you can utilize. Then after converting your scanned PDFs or other image-based documents, you can use its editing function to enhance them. For instance, the software lets you add background to PDF, organize the pages, arrange texts and images, and more. In addition, you can also add handwritten or digital signatures and watermarks to personalize your files. Besides, you can make the file more interactive by adding various forms, like a push button, combo box, radio button, and more. Learn to convert and edit text in scanned PDF with AcePDF below.

Try it for Free

Step 1 Get the Scanned PDF Editor and Converter

Grab any of the “Download” buttons above to launch the installer of AcePDF. Then, move through the instruction on the dialogue box to completely keep the software on your Windows or Mac computer. After the installation, open the PDF editor software and continue the process to the next step.

acepdf main interface

Step 2 Begin to Convert Scanned PDF

Before we edit scanned PDF image, we must convert them into editable ones. So, go to the “Batch Process” panel of the tool and pick “OCR.” Afterward, import the scanned PDF into the tool. Meanwhile, hit the “+Add file” icon to add more files and convert them in batch. Once done, alter the OCR settings, hit the output format dropdown icon, and select “PDF (.pdf)” to change the scanned PDF to an editable PDF. Lastly, hit the “Recognize” button to initiate the process.

hit batch process and ocr, add files, adjust settings and hit recognize

Step 3 Locate the New Editable PDF

Next, launch the file menu of your computer and locate the folder you set in the above step. After that, search for the document on the list. You can quickly find the file as it has an “OCR” on its output file name. Later, right-click on it and select “Edit with AcePDF.” Then, your file will be launched on the PDF scan editor, where you can edit it.

open folder, locate file and click edit with acepdf

Step 4 Edit and Keep the PDF

Once the file appears, move to the “Edit” tab of the software and check that the previous scanned PDF can now be edited. You can check that it is now editable by selecting a specific part. Moreover, start to edit text in PDF and other details. Once you are satisfied, you can click the “File” on the top left corner of the tool and hit “Save” or “Save as” to keep the final file.

hit edit, check and edit pdf, click file and select save option

PROs

  • It allows you to choose a specific page you only want to convert as an editable PDF.
  • You can merge and split files into batches instead of editing them individually.
  • It lets you add comments, annotations, highlights, and callouts to leave a message on the file.
CONs

  • The tool has yet to be available on Android and iOS devices
AcePDF

AcePDF features a robust PDF editor that empowers you to make necessary document modifications with ease.
  • You can convert multiple PDFs to various formats simultaneously, saving time and effort.
  • It has an OCR feature that accurately convert scanned PDFs into editable text, enhancing accessibility and usability.
  • Convert to/from PDF, Word, HTML, Excel, and more, ensuring versatile document compatibility

2. Adobe Acrobat Pro DC

Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, also known as Adobe Acrobat Pro, is another special software you can use to edit scanned PDF document. It is popular in the PDF world because of its impressive features. Furthermore, the tool offers various features, including OCR, which turns scanned and image-based PDF files into editable PDF, Word, HTML, and Excel. Besides, you can directly modify the PDF file in this tool. You can add suggestion comments, signatures, forms, organize pages, detect PDF fonts, and more. Also, you can add stamps, signatures, certificates, and watermarks to let other readers know you own the file. Check the details below to see how you can edit scanned PDFs.

User Guide:

  • Install Adobe Acrobat Pro on your PC and open it. After that, hit the “File” button on the upper left section and import the scanned PDF. Once the file appears, move to the right area to access the menu.
  • Then, click the “Scan & OCR” button, move to the upper ribbon, and hit “Recognize Text.” Later, modify the OCR settings, like languages, and click “Recognize Text” to convert it to an editable PDF. Once the process ends, the converted file will be automatically opened on the PDF scan editor.
  • Select the editing tools on the sidebar and begin enhancing your document. To save the final document, hit the “File” button on the upper left and click “Save as.” You can quickly select a specific folder for the file to locate it for future use.

adobe acrobat pro interface

PROs

  • It allows you to compare the original file and the edited version to see the difference.
  • You can easily integrate cloud services like Dropbox and Google Drive to save files after you edit PDF in Adobe.
CONs

  • The cost is $19 for a monthly subscription, which is high for some users on a budget.

3. PDFSimpli

If you prefer using an online tool over desktop software, we recommend using PDFSimpli. Like its name, it is a simple tool that allows you to automatically perform an OCR process on your scanned PDFs and edit them accordingly. The online tool will enable you to delete, rotate, add pages, insert annotations, bookmarks, and more. Additionally, you can redact unwanted details or underline, strikethrough, and highlight crucial data. Another thing you can do to your PDFs is attached a vital email, signatures, and images. PDFSimpli has features catering to all your essential editing and conversion needs. Follow the guide underneath to discover how to edit PDF text online.

User Guide:

  • Launch PDFSimpli on your web browser and hit the “Upload PDF to Convert” to add your scanned PDFs. Once you upload the file, the tool will convert and make it editable. Wait for a few seconds until the conversion process ends.
  • Then the file will appear in the editing window. You can move to the upper part to see different features you can use to edit PDF image online and text. Meanwhile, you can hit the “More tools” button on the right side to launch more functions.
  • If satisfied, hit the “Save” icon on the top-right section and select “PDF” as the output format. On the other hand, you can also choose other formats according to your preference. Finally, hit “Download” to save the finished file.

pdfsimpli editing window

PROs

  • You can convert scanned documents to different formats, including PDF, DOC, TXT, XLS, and more.
  • It allows you to select multiple documents and merge them to create one huge file.
CONs

  • The tool doesn’t support advanced features, like batch process, header and footer, file compression, and others.

Tips When Doing Edit OCR PDF Process

1. Best Practices for Working with Scanned PDFs

Since scanned PDFs often have no word recognition and are plain images, working with them can be difficult. Below are some best practices to handle and edit PDF file easily. Following them can make your work easier and more efficient.

  • Prior to working with a scanned PDF, optimize it by compressing its file size. So you can easily convert and edit them on your PDF editor.
  • To make scanned PDFs searchable and editable, OCR software is required to identify the text within the documents. You can use third-party OCR software, like AcePDF, Adobe Acrobat Pro, or an online tool for the process. On the other hand, you can click here to know more tips on how you can convert scanned PDF.
  • If you have control over the scanning process, use a high-quality scanner to produce more precise and accurate scans. This will help the OCR quickly read the file and create an exact digital version.
  • Another tip is to use an appropriate format to edit PDF scan. You can use the searchable and editable PDF format, separating text, images, and graphics layers.
  • Before making any changes to a scanned PDF, ensure all the text has been recognized and the formatting is accurate.

edit scanned pdf tips display image

2. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Editing Scanned PDFs

Indeed, modifying scanned PDFs can be time-consuming and challenging. As a result, there will be some instances in which you will encounter common mistakes during the process. Moreover, here are the common mistakes you must avoid when editing image-based PDFs. Avoiding them can help you have a better listening experience.

  • Unoptimized scanned PDFs. It is essential to optimize the file to reduce its size before you edit PDF image and text. Some software and online PDF editors cannot recognize the file if their size is too huge.
  • Unreviewed document. Before modifying a scanned PDF, you must carefully review it to ensure all text and information have been identified and have correct formatting. Failure to do it may result in errors and inconsistencies.
  • Ignoring OCR issues. OCR software can sometimes cause problems recognizing texts, and you need to review the file to amend any errors. Thus, ignoring these mistakes will result in missing essential details in your file.
  • Not creating a backup of the converted file. After converting scanned documents to an editable format, you must create a backup of the converted file. If you did not back up your file, it would be difficult to undo any changes with the edited version.

edit scanned pdf common mistakes display image


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