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How to Select and Copy Text from a PDF in Acrobat Reader on iPad
Question details
The user wants to know how to select and copy text from a PDF document using the Adobe Acrobat Reader app on an iPad to paste it into another application.
- Product
- Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Device & OS
- iPadOS
- Scenario
- Extracting text from a PDF file on an iPad to use in another document, such as Microsoft Word.
- Observed behavior
- The text needs to be selected and copied using touch gestures, allowing it to be seamlessly transferred to a different application.
Ensure your iPad is updated to a recent version of iPadOS and that you have installed the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader from the App Store.
Select and Copy Text Using Touch Gestures in Acrobat Reader
Use standard iPad touch gestures within the Acrobat Reader app to select, copy, and paste text into other applications.
Acrobat Reader for iPad fully supports native iOS/iPadOS touch gestures, making it simple to highlight, select, and copy text from standard PDF files.
Launch the Adobe Acrobat Reader app on your iPad and tap to open the PDF file you want to copy text from.
Press and hold on a specific word in the text. Drag the blue selection handles (grabbers) to adjust and highlight the exact text you want to copy.
Once the text is selected, a context menu will appear with options such as Copy, Highlight, Strikethrough, Underline, and Define. Tap on 'Copy'.
Open another application, such as Microsoft Word or Apple Notes. Tap the screen where you want to insert the text and select 'Paste' from the pop-up menu.
Easily Copy Text from PDFs and Edit Documents on iPad
WPS Office is a powerful, all-in-one mobile application for your iPad. It allows you to seamlessly open PDF files, extract or copy text, and immediately paste it into a new Word document without constantly switching between multiple apps.
- 1. Download and open WPS Office: Install WPS Office from the App Store on your iPad and launch the application.
- 2. Open the PDF file: Tap 'Files' or use the 'Open' button to browse and open your target PDF document within the WPS Office app.
- 3. Select and copy: Long-press the text you wish to extract, drag the grabbers to refine your selection, and tap 'Copy' from the pop-up menu.
- 4. Paste in a Word document: Go back to the WPS home screen, create a new Document (Word), and tap the screen to paste the copied text and continue editing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I select text in my PDF on my iPad?
If you cannot select text, the PDF might be a scanned image or it may have security restrictions preventing copying. You will need to use OCR software to extract text from images, or unlock the PDF if it is password-protected against copying.
Can I edit the PDF text directly in Acrobat Reader for iPad?
While you can view, copy, and annotate text for free in Acrobat Reader, directly editing the existing PDF text typically requires a paid Adobe Acrobat Pro subscription.
How do I highlight text in a PDF on an iPad?
To highlight text, press and hold to select the desired words, then choose 'Highlight' from the pop-up menu that appears directly above the selected text.
Does WPS Office support extracting text from images on an iPad?
Yes, WPS Office offers an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) feature that can scan images or non-selectable PDFs and convert them into editable text documents right on your iPad.
