I know how it feels if someone shares and image or screenshot of a document from which you need to get the text. Like if you ask for an order number for query the person on the other side may give you the entire order summary on a screenshot !. Now you need to read and paste the order number digit by digit into the query system. How frustrating is that !!
So instead of asking the person(s) again and again to send details in text format you would wish there was something to extract the order number from the screenshot and give it to you on the fly for your further work !
This is why you need Text extraction tool from image.
There are paid tools available but the challenge is to learn the tool and may require installation of libraries on your system.
Good news—you don’t have to struggle now! Extracting text from images is easier than ever, thanks to Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best ways to pull text from images—doesn’t matter you’re on a computer, phone, or using an online tools to copy text from image.
Why Extract Text from an Image?
Before we dive into the how, let’s look at why you might need this:
✔ Save time – No more retyping long documents.
✔ Edit text – Extract and modify text from photos or PDFs.
✔ Searchable content – Turn images into searchable, digital text.
✔ Accessibility – Help screen readers interpret text from images.
3 Easy Ways to Extract Text from Images
1. Use an Online OCR Tool (Quick & Hassle-Free)
If you need fast results without installing anything, online OCR tools are the way to go. Here’s how:
- Go to ExtractTextFromImage.online (or any trusted OCR site).
- Upload your image (JPG, PNG, or even a screenshot).
- Let the tool scan and extract the text.
- Copy, download, or edit the extracted text.
✅ Best for: Quick extractions, no software needed, works on any device.
2. Use Your Smartphone (Google Lens or Built-in Tools)
Most smartphones now have built-in OCR features:
On Android (Google Lens)
- Open Google Photos and select your image.
- Tap “Lens” (the camera icon).
- Highlight and copy the text.
On iPhone (Live Text)
- Open your Photos app and select an image with text.
- Tap the text—it will highlight automatically.
- Copy, translate, or share the text.
✅ Best for: Extracting text on the go, no extra apps needed.
3. Use Desktop Software (For Advanced Needs)
If you need more control, try these:
- Adobe Acrobat (for PDFs with images)
- Microsoft OneNote (paste an image, right-click, and select “Copy Text”)
- Tesseract OCR (free & open-source for tech-savvy users)
✅ Best for: Batch processing, high accuracy, professional use.
Importance of Image Quality
The saying “garbage in, garbage out” is probably familiar to you. That’s exactly the case with OCR. Even the best OCR tool in the world won’t be able to read your image correctly if it is too pixelated, blurry, or poorly lit. For high-quality outcomes, high-quality input is necessary. Examine your image carefully before considering using any text-extraction software. Is the text readable and clear to the human eye? If not, you may want to take a better picture or make some adjustments with an image editor.
Use high-resolution settings when taking pictures or scanning documents for OCR. If you’re scanning, try to get at least 300 DPI. Make sure the lighting is adequate; natural light is excellent.
Natural light is ideal, but if you’re indoors, make sure the lighting is even to prevent shadows from covering the text. Additionally, steer clear of angled shots; flatter is preferable. Being neat is important when taking handwritten notes! The OCR software can identify handwriting more easily if it is clear.
Think about the background as well. It’s best to have black text on a plain white background, but if you have complicated designs or coloured backgrounds, try converting the image to greyscale first. It helps the software concentrate on the text itself and streamlines the content.
Suggested File Types
When it comes to text extraction, image formats are not all made equal. While some OCR tools may work better with PDFs, others may prefer JPG or PNG. Although JPG is commonly used and works well for photographs, it compresses the image, which may result in less clarity. Because PNG preserves high quality, it is a better option for screenshots or images with crisp edges and legible text.
Think about converting your images to a PDF if your document is multipage. The majority of OCR software is compatible with PDFs and is more effective at handling multi-page documents than individual image files. Just make sure your PDF has high-quality images.
Another file format that is worth mentioning is TIFF. Despite being less popular, it’s a favourite for archiving and performs admirably with expensive OCR programs like ABBYY FineReader. This format might be worth looking into if you do a lot of work at a professional level.
The takeaway, then? Depending on what you’re working with and the tool you intend to use, pick your format carefully. A small amount of preparation now can save you a great deal of trouble later.
Advanced OCR Features and AI Integration
How AI is Improving OCR Technology
The days of OCR simply scanning documents and crossing their fingers are long gone. OCR has become eerily intelligent thanks to artificial intelligence. Conventional OCR only searched for letter-like patterns. Modern OCR systems now comprehend context, structure, and even a certain amount of semantics thanks to machine learning and AI-driven algorithms. This implies that they are interpreting rather than merely speculating.
AI-powered OCR tools can identify handwriting, distorted images, various fonts, and intricate layouts. Beyond simple OCR, tools like Google Vision AI and Microsoft Azure Cognitive Services can recognise languages, read text in photos taken from various perspectives, and even recognise landmarks, logos, and other visual components.
Because machine learning models are trained on large datasets, the software becomes slightly more intelligent each time it processes a new document. The outcome? Users like you will experience faster, more accurate extractions and fewer headaches.
Some platforms even automatically identify titles, headings, dates, or names by using Natural Language Processing (NLP) to structure extracted text. This creates an editable and structured document out of what would have been a disorganised jumble of words. It’s OCR with a brain, not just OCR.
Language and Handwriting Recognition
The multilingual capability of AI-enhanced OCR is among its best features. More than fifty languages are supported by the majority of contemporary tools, and some even permit input in multiple languages. Consider scanning a document with Japanese annotations, French subtitles, and English headers. Advanced OCR can identify and correctly translate all of them at once.
But hold on, there’s more! It is now possible to recognise handwriting. AI is used by Google Keep, Microsoft OneNote, and even specialised apps like Nebo to interpret handwritten notes and turn them into editable text. Although we won’t claim that these are entirely accurate—after all, who has flawless handwriting?—they have advanced significantly.
You can even “train” the software to better recognise your unique handwriting style with certain tools. Therefore, if you use the same tool consistently, it will get better with time. It’s similar to having a digital assistant that picks up on your peculiarities and adjusts as necessary.
Thanks to some AI magic under the hood, today’s OCR tools can handle any type of document, including typed documents, multilingual scripts, and your own handwritten notes.
Common Errors and How to Fix Them
Blurry or Distorted Images
Let’s face it, OCR’s worst enemy is blurry images. To identify each character, the software uses distinct shapes and stark contrasts. It turns into a guessing game when the image is fuzzy. And you know what? Usually, the software makes incorrect guesses.
Attempting to sharpen a blurry image is the first step. To improve sharpness and contrast, use any simple photo editor. The text can be made clearer with the use of programs like Photoshop, GIMP, or even editing apps for smartphones. If that doesn’t work, think about taking another picture or doing a higher-resolution scan of the document.
One more trick? Make the picture greyscale or black and white. By eliminating the colour, OCR software can more effectively discern text from background noise.
Misrecognized Characters and Fixes
Have you ever had your “O” or “I” read as a “0” or “1” by an OCR tool? Indeed, classic mistakes. These misidentifications occur very often, especially when the image is unclear or the font is quirky. This is addressed by many OCR tools that allow manual corrections after processing. Examine and edit the text after it has been extracted. Some software even highlights words with low confidence so you know where to begin. Use standard fonts as well, if at all possible. Avoid using overly decorative typefaces when preparing forms or templates for OCR use. Think about plain but OCR-compatible fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, or Calibri.
Security and Privacy Considerations
Handling Sensitive Information
Privacy should be your first concern when extracting text from images, particularly documents including IDs, contracts, receipts, or private correspondence. Many people ignore this, but if you handle anything remotely sensitive, you have to go beyond mere “getting the text out.” Your data is heading to where? Where is the tool you are currently using storing it? Who can access it?
Allow us to deconstruct this. Most of the online OCR tools you are using handle your images on cloud servers. Your image is thus uploaded to a remote location, handled there, and subsequently sent back together with the extracted text. Many say they delete files after processing, but unless the service is open about their methods, it is difficult to really confirm this.
Choose tools with local processing capability if privacy is vital to you and it should be. Direct OCR work is done on your device by programs like ABBYY FineReader or Adobe Acrobat Pro. Your data then never leaves your hands.
Look for tools as well that follow privacy laws including GDPR, HIPAA, or CCPA. Compliance is not only a bonus but also a need if you are handling client or business related data.
Particularly free OCR tools, always review the terms and privacy policy of any tool you use. Steer clear if a tool seems dubious or requests for pointless rights but is free. Your personal information is more worth than a few bucks saved.
Suggested Safe Tools
Here are some excellent options for security-focused OCR:
High-quality local OCR without cloud storage is provided by ABBYY FineReader. Perfect for private papers.
Tesseract OCR: A locally executable, open-source engine. It’s completely private but a little technical.
Adobe Acrobat Pro DC: High-end, safe, and in line with important privacy guidelines.
Microsoft Office Lens (local save only): You have the option to store your scans locally rather than on the cloud.
Make deliberate tool selections. When it comes to protecting your information, not all OCR software is created equal.
Tips for Better Text Extraction
- Clear images work best – Blurry or low-light images reduce accuracy.
- Plain fonts are easier to read – Fancy handwriting or stylized text may not extract perfectly.
- Check for errors – OCR isn’t flawless, so proofread important text.
Closing Thoughts
Whether you’re a professional, student, or just someone who despises typing, being able to extract text from images is revolutionary. You can quickly extract text using tools like Google Lens, ExtractTextFromImage.online, or built-in phone features.
The next time you see text in an image, extract it instead of retyping it!
Do you have any favourite text extraction tools or tips? Post them in the comments section!