Make PDF Searchable
Add an invisible searchable text layer to scanned PDFs using OCR. The visual appearance is preserved while text becomes selectable, searchable, and copy-able.
Make Searchable is available with a subscription
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Instant Processing
Browser-Based
Features
Add searchable text to scanned PDFs
Preserves original visual appearance
Text becomes selectable and copy-able
10+ languages supported including CJK
Automatic deskew and image cleanup
Skips pages that already have text
PDF/A-compliant output for long-term archival
Powered by PDFSub Engine
Files encrypted during transfer, auto-deleted after processing
How It Looks
Scanned PDF
Searchable PDF
How It Works
1
Upload your scanned PDF document
2
Select the document language for best accuracy
3
Click Make Searchable to process with OCR
4
Download your searchable PDF with invisible text layer
Common Use Cases
Making scanned contracts searchable for legal review
Enabling text search in digitized archives
Converting image-only PDFs to searchable documents
Preparing scanned documents for accessibility compliance
Enabling copy/paste from scanned receipts and invoices
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'Make Searchable' do?
It uses OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to detect text in scanned PDF pages and adds an invisible text layer on top of the original images. The PDF looks exactly the same, but you can now select, copy, and search the text.
Will it change how my PDF looks?
No. The original images and layout are preserved exactly as they are. The tool only adds an invisible text layer behind the images, so the visual appearance is identical.
Which languages are supported?
English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese (Simplified), Japanese, Korean, and Arabic are supported. Select the appropriate language before processing for best accuracy.
Does this use AI credits?
No. Make Searchable does not use AI and does not consume any AI credits.
What if my PDF already has searchable text?
Pages that already contain text are automatically skipped. Only scanned/image pages are processed, so existing text is never overwritten.
Can I create PDF/A files?
Yes. Toggle the PDF/A Output option to produce archival-compliant PDFs. PDF/A ensures your document can be reliably reproduced in the future, meeting regulatory and long-term preservation requirements.
Is my file processed securely?
For standard processing, files are handled by the PDFSub Engine - an isolated server with no internet access. When AI mode is selected, files are processed through our AI pipeline. In both cases, files are encrypted during transfer and auto-deleted after processing.