PDF Editing Issues

How to Copy Text from One Drawing or PDF to Another

Amos Gikunda Oct 19, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know how to copy text from a drawing or PDF file and paste it into another document, including how to handle both editable text and image-based text.

How to Copy Text from One Drawing or PDF to Another

Product: PDF Editor
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Extracting and transferring text between PDF files, drawings, or other documents.
Observed behavior: The user needs to select, copy, and paste text, but may face difficulties if the text is embedded within a flat image or scanned document rather than being standard editable text.

Before you start

Determine whether the text in your PDF or drawing is selectable. Try to highlight the text with your cursor; if you cannot, the document is likely a scanned image and will require an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) tool.

Solution 1Recommended

Copy Editable Text from a Standard PDF or Drawing

Use this standard method if the text in your PDF or drawing can be easily highlighted with your cursor.

Open the source document

Launch your PDF reader or editing software and open the source PDF or drawing containing the text.

Select the text

Click and drag your cursor over the specific text you wish to copy to highlight it.

Copy the text

Right-click on the highlighted text and select 'Copy', or use the keyboard shortcut 'Ctrl+C' (Windows) or 'Command+C' (Mac).

Paste into destination

Open the destination drawing or document, place your cursor exactly where you want the text to appear, right-click, and select 'Paste', or use 'Ctrl+V' (Windows) or 'Command+V' (Mac).

Copy Editable Text from a Standard PDF or Drawing

Solution 2

Extract Text from Scanned PDFs or Images Using OCR

If the text is part of a flat image or a scanned drawing, you must use OCR software to recognize and extract the text before copying it.

Easy PDF Text Extraction

Copy and Extract PDF Text Easily with WPS Office

WPS Office provides a powerful, built-in PDF editor that allows you to effortlessly copy editable text or use advanced OCR technology to extract text from scanned PDFs and drawings.

1. Open the PDF: Launch WPS Office and open your PDF document or drawing.
2. Copy standard text: If the text is selectable, simply highlight it with your cursor, right-click, and choose 'Copy'.
3. Use OCR for images: If it is a scanned document, go to the 'Tools' tab and click 'OCR' to extract the text instantly.
4. Paste anywhere: Open your destination file in WPS Writer or another program and paste the text.

Easily copy and paste text between PDFs, Word, and other formatsBuilt-in OCR technology to accurately extract text from images and scanned documentsHigh compatibility with standard PDF formats and Microsoft Office filesLightweight application with a familiar, user-friendly interface

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I highlight or copy text from my PDF?

Your PDF might be a scanned image or restricted by security settings. If it's a scanned file, you will need to use an OCR tool to recognize the text. If it is secured, you must enter the correct permission password to unlock copying.

What is OCR and why do I need it for drawings?

OCR stands for Optical Character Recognition. It is a technology that scans images (such as scanned drawings or flat image PDFs) and converts the visual characters into digital, editable text that you can easily copy and paste.

Can I copy text from a PDF drawing directly into Microsoft Word?

Yes, once the text is successfully copied to your clipboard (either directly highlighted or extracted via OCR), you can paste it directly into Microsoft Word, WPS Writer, or any other word processing software.

PDF Troubleshooting