Save time with optical character recognition.

Streamline your manual data entry process with OCR technology. Automate the conversion of scanned paper documents into editable digital PDFs.

A person sitting at a desk and scanning a document using OCR technology on their phone

Convert to OCR software.

While we live in a digital world, the transformation isn’t fully complete. Whether you’re a small business owner, freelancer or someone who works from home, physical documents are still prevalent. Scanning physical documents to use them in digital workflows can be time-consuming, but the conversion process can be more efficient — and lead to more useful files — with OCR technology.

OCR is short for optical character recognition, a technology that transforms printed documents into digital image files. It’s a digital copy machine that uses automation to turn a scanned document into machine-readable PDF files you can edit and share.

Turn scanned documents into PDFs

OCR features within Adobe Acrobat on a graphic of a tablet device, mobile phone and laptop device

The functionality of optical character recognition software.

A stack of paperwork can be a data entry nightmare, but you can make your dream of automation-driven conversion come true with an OCR software like Adobe Acrobat.

Upload scanned documents and they will be instantly formatted and transcribed in the exact formatting of the original file. Customised font generation means you don’t have to ever have to worry about whether the fonts match, even if the original document was handwritten.

If you receive a file format you haven’t edited before, like JPG or TIFF, OCR technology ensures every file can be changed and adjusted. Acrobat with OCR software is perfect for archival purposes too, as cloud storage ensures you always have a copy. Smart features like searchable text and user access controls make it quick and simple to find and complete whatever machine-readable forms you need.

Not only does OCR save you time, you save money, effort and the environment too. Gone are the days of bulky, expensive scanners and unorganised file cabinets. With more living spaces doubling as places of business, you can streamline your workspace to get the most out of it.

Other ways OCR can help out.

OCR applications have a wide array of uses that you can incorporate not only to help your workflow but improve your everyday life.

For those who are blind or visually impaired, OCR software can help decipher text from scanned documents and automate it to be read aloud according to your specifications.

OCR can also benefit those with learning differences like dyslexia. OCR is used in educational settings globally. If you’re a teacher with developmentally disabled students in your virtual classes, OCR can ensure clear and efficient communication.

No language barrier is safe with an OCR solution present. Customised settings give you the ability to translate words detected within an image file into another language, like Portuguese or Tagalogue. Expand horizons and collaborate with others — no matter where they are. Get real-time feedback, even internationally.

Organise your contacts with Adobe Scan.

Don’t lose your important contact info through the power of Adobe Scan. Bring your Rolodex and all your business cards to the virtual world and digitise them in a few simple steps to have them all in one place.

After you upload your contacts’ cards, searchable text makes it easy to find specific names, phone numbers and email addresses. Cloud storage provides an encrypted backup for all your documents too, so never panic about misplaced documents again.

Solve business problems with OCR solutions from Acrobat.

Once you use Adobe Scan on your document, Acrobat will analyse the images with optical character recognition. Older files that were scanned previously are also eligible to be converted into machine-readable text.

After you convert files, there are a litany of options on what you can do next. Combine multiple files into one PDF or convert one file format to another, like a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet to PDF. Integration with other software like Microsoft Word allows you to export and share your new PDF document into another workflow without interruption. When you’re finished with your changes, request electronic signatures from others and send them digitally and manage your progress.