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How to Copy Text From a PDF_ The Ultimate Guide

November 15, 2023 946 views

In an era where PDF files frequently contain exclusive information, it is crucial to duplicate and make use of that material. While PDFs are convenient for sharing, extracting text can be a daunting task for many. The question lingers: “How to copy text from PDF, and what are the easiest methods?”  We're here to provide you with a thorough guide that will enable you to effectively extract text from PDFs and make the most of this important information resource. We'll provide you with insights, advice, and workable solutions.

How to Copy Text From a PDF easily

Method 1: Convert PDF to Image Online for Free (Windows, Mac)

PDF2Go is another online tool you can use to convert a PDF to an image for free. It works on both Windows and Mac, as it's a web-based tool. Here's how to use PDF2Go to convert a PDF to an image:

Step 1: Go to PDF2go website

Convert a PDF to an image


Step 2: Click the "Choose File" button and select the PDF from your computer.

Step 3: Click the "Start" button and click it to initiate the conversion process.

Convert a PDF to an image


Step 4: Click “Download” to download the Image

Convert a PDF to an image


Here is the result:

Convert a PDF to an image



Method 2: Copy Text From a PDF Using Adobe Reader

Step 1: Open Adobe Reader: Launch Adobe Reader on your computer. If you don't have Adobe Reader installed, you can download it for free from the Adobe website.

Note: To begin copying your text, make sure your PDF is open with Acrobat Reader.

Step 2: From Acrobat Reader's top toolbar list, select the "Selection Tool" (which is a standard cursor icon).

Copy Text From a PDF Using Adobe Reader


Step 3: Find the text to copy in your PDF. Then, using your cursor, highlight your text.

Copy Text From a PDF Using Adobe Reader


Step 4: Right-click the highlighted text and select "Copy."

Copy Text From a PDF Using Adobe Reader


Step 5: Your chosen text is now copied to your clipboard. You can paste it in any text editor or text field by right-clicking there and choosing "Paste."

Conclusion:

The two methods differ in their purpose and ease of use. Converting a PDF to an image online is quicker and simpler, making it suitable for those who need images from a PDF without the need for text editing. This method is recommended for beginners due to its user-friendliness. On the other hand, copying text from a PDF using Adobe Reader takes more steps but is the preferred choice for maintaining text integrity and formatting, making it the recommended option when you need to work with the text itself. My experience suggests that Adobe Reader is the more robust choice for text extraction and editing, while the online conversion method is quicker and easier for simple image extraction tasks. Your choice should depend on your specific requirements and familiarity with the tools.

Free PDF Tools Online | WPS PDF

How to Copy Text from a PDF Using WPS Office?

Step 1: Open WPS Office and navigate to the PDF file that contains the paragraphs that you wish to extract.

WPS Office dashboard


Step 2: Copy the text you wish to extract from the PDF.

WPS Office copy text from PDF


Step 3: Open a new tab in WPS Office and click "New Blank Document" to create a new Word document.

WPS Office new blank document


Step 4: Use the "Paste" option in the Home ribbon to paste text only and prevent PDF formatting.

WPS Office Paste options


Step 5: If you want to keep the PDF formatting, paste the text by right-clicking and selecting "Paste" from the context menu, or by using "CTRL + V" on your keyboard.

WPS Office paste specific paragraph


This method for adding specific paragraphs offers a convenient way to extract precisely the content you need from a PDF file. However, it's worth noting that this process can be time-consuming.

How to download WPS Office for free?

Step 1: Go to WPS and click “Free Download”.

How to free download the WPS Office?


Step 2: Click “Keep” if the following dialogue box pops up. Please be assured that it's safe to download our products.

Step 3: The installation will begin after you agree to the agreement and click “Install Now”.

WPS Office will open automatically when it's done.

How to free download the WPS Office?


After installation, you can launch WPS Office by clicking on its shortcut or by searching for it in your applications or programs menu.

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FAQs

  1. How can I extract text from a PDF for free?

Step 1: Drag your file into the PDF-to-Text converter.

Extracting text from a PDF for free


Step 2: Select OCR if needed, or choose “Convert selectable text.”

Step 3: Wait while we convert your file in seconds.

Step 4: Download your file as a fully editable Word doc!

2. How do I extract text from a PDF or image?

I highly recommend Convertio because it supports more languages and offers a wider range of output formats. The main reason for my recommendation of Convertio OCR is that it can perform OCR on files containing two languages, significantly improving accuracy when dealing with bilingual documents. However, please note that the free version only allows conversion of up to 10 pages.

Step 1:Go to Convertio OCR.

Step 2: Upload one or more PDF images to the program

Extracting text from a PDF or image


Step 3: Choose 1 or 2 file languages, select output format as Text and fill in the page numbers you want to extract text from.

Extracting text from a PDF or image


Step 4: Then click Recognize to start OCR.

Step 5: Download the text file and you will be able to extract or copy text from the PDF image.

Summary

Unlock the secrets of effortless PDF text extraction with "How to Copy Text From a PDF: The Ultimate Guide." Discover the power of free online PDF tools, including the game-changer, WPS PDF. This comprehensive guide reveals a treasure trove of methods, from PDF2go to Adobe Acrobat Reader, enabling you to liberate text from PDFs with ease.



15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.